Are you looking to put more of your marketing efforts into local search? Consumers have been highly using the internet to search for information for well over a decade. Search engines have transformed the way we deal with everyday life. During this journey, location-based searching has also shown steady ongoing growth…

So, there are key stats that I would like to share in this post and what they mean for your business.

Searches done by consumers on the internet that are location-specific in search for products, information or services is now very much mainstream. Couple this with the fact that mobile usage has grown massively in recent years, you can now imagine how this has impacted the level of local searches performed by consumers.

There have been major effects on the marketing world in relation to both local and mobile consumer buying habits. With that said, here are some major stats that you may not realise and what they mean for your business in terms of local search marketing:

1. Local Consumers in General are Using Local Information in Adverts

Google literally carried out a survey into local search behaviour and the results showed over 60% of consumers would prefer adverts to be customised based upon their location. About 61% prefer Ads are customised to their precise location, while 67% want them to be customised to include at least their zipcode or postcode and related location.

So what does this mean for your business? It means you need to make sure that the adverts you place are extremely targeted by making use of location extensions, which will help boost your advertising conversions.

2. Virtually 70% Of Consumers use “Call” Or “Get Directions” Feature

In case you are wondering just how important it is to list your phone number and address, this statistic clears it up. With this number of smartphone users claiming to use the “call” and “get directions” feature on Google, your business is seriously missing out if your details are not included in your Google My Business profile page listing. Double check to make sure your address and phone number are correct. Also claim and optimise your listing, because consequently this helps you to get even better results or effectively be found by your prospective customers.

3. Local Searches Done on Mobile Devices are Producing Fast Action

One other interesting fact is that 70% of searches on mobile devices are followed up with an action within one hour (source: Mobile Marketer – www.mobilemarketer.com). More importantly, a significant 50% of consumers who perform a local business search on their smartphone or tablet, visit a company’s business location within a day.

The point is not only are potential customers carrying out more local searches, they are also following up on their search. You know what this mean… If your company wants to connect with SERIOUS prospective customers, your local listing has to be highly up to scratch and in a position to provide these consumers the information they require. In other words, this will make it easy for them to buy into what you are offering.

My Final Words…

You can now see from the above information that local search has become very popular in recent years. It’s driving in much more local consumers than ever before, not only to company websites, but to physical company locations as well.

Therefore if you are seeking to bring in new customers, increase website traffic and boost profits, local search is really your first order of business. To be successful with local search marketing strategy, one thing you must definitely do is to claim and optimise your Google My Business page listing, if you have not done so already. You can click the link here for relevant information. And don’t hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions.