Mobile is the Future for Local Search

As a small or medium-sized business owner, it can be difficult to differentiate your business from competitors who are marketing a similar product or service. In order to attract new customers, begin to think mobile! Mobile phone users rely on their phones to provide them with the services they need. By taking advantage of mobile technology, you can stand out from your competitors and target potential customers in your immediate area.

Mobile local search use continues to grow. In January 2011, 77.1 million mobile subscribers accessed local content on a mobile device, up 34 percent from the previous year. Local content users accounted for 33 percent of mobile subscribers, with 87 percent owning a GPS-capable handset (up 9 percent from the previous year).

To take advantage of mobile search, make sure you are meeting the following requirements:

Make sure your website is mobile-friendly. Mobile phone users are unlikely to view documents such as product brochures or menus if they have to be downloaded.
Content and images should load quickly in mobile browsers.
List your business on search engine maps so customers can easily find you .
List your business on free local search sites, such as CitySearch and Yelp.
Register your business location on free mobile search apps, such as Foursquare and Facebook Places.

The search engine marketing professionals at WebVisible can help your business utilize mobile search technology. We offer cloud-based landing pages, which are easily accessible from mobile phones.

By: Elizabeth Smith

Comments for Mobile is the Future for Local Search

Monday, August 29, 2011 by Ron Don :: “A GPS capable handset is so important when you are trying to access new businesses on the fly. Knowing where you are going—and getting to the business—is reliant upon accurate directions; much easier with a GPS if you're in an unfamiliar area.