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(Continued) The Rank for $ales Weekly Newsletter, Sep. 30, 2006. Page 18 Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 
Internet users perform a local search onlineThis piece of news confirms what I've been suspecting for a long time... A new study done by comScore indicates the results of an analysis revealing the actual size and current growth of the U.S. local search market. Overall, local search is defined by comScore as queries conducted by consumers on local or Yellow Pages directories and other specific searches identified as having local intent. According to the comScore report, 63 percent of U.S. Internet users, or approximately 109 million people, performed a local search online in July 2006. This represents a 43 percent boost when compared to July of last year.  Google Web sites (representing 30 percent) and Yahoo (accounting for 29 percent) took the largest share of local searches in July. For its part, Microsoft Web sites captured about 12 percent of local searches, followed by the Time Warner Network with just 7 percent. Based on a recent comScore SSS (Search Satisfaction Study), 41 percent of Internet users conducting a local search query were searching for something in their home area, as opposed to searching for information on businesses in locales that they intended to visit. Additionally, among those searching in their home area, 59 percent indicated they were searching for a restaurant or something entertainment-related, such as a theater, theme park or an attraction for sightseeing. Another 52 percent said they were searching specifically for a business phone number or address. Two out of five local searchers (41 percent) were looking for information on a local service in their home area, including car rental office, dry cleaner or lawyer. The comScore study also found that performing a local search drives consumers to take action. During the second quarter of this year, 47 percent of local searchers visited a local merchant as a result of their search behavior, while 41 percent made contact offline.  More than one-third (37 percent) made contact online as a result of conducting a local area search. My take on all of this I fully understand their needs. If I were in their position, I would do just the same. For local businesses that fall in that category, there are a few things you should know before you go any further in this. For more information on how you can concentrate on local search only from your state, country or city, simply drop me a line. You will be happy you did. Well, thats it for this week. Have a pleasant and relaxing weekend. I will see you all next Saturday! Serge Thibodeau, Please note that I am available for SEO consultative work or to help you optimize your website for the major search engines. Feel free to contact me for an honest and fair assessment.  All logos, trade marks and service marks on this newsletter are the exclusive property of their respective owners. Note: Although I always try my best to answer each individual question that I receive, there are times when it's just impossible for me to answer every one I get, as the amount of emails sent to me keeps increasing all the time. Also, please note that, for confidentiality reasons, the names of people writing to us are never disclosed. Please send all your questions, comments or general enquiries to: questions@rankforsales.com Subscribe to the free Rank for Sales Weekly Newsletter <<< Previous page Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Bookmark the RFS Newsletter by simply clicking here. Search engine industry news corner:  About Rank for $ales Rank for $ales can be reached via email at info@rankforsales.com or you can call from anywhere in the US or Canada, via our toll free number at 1-800-631-3221. Our offices are located near Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Visit our web site at www.rankforsales.com About Serge Thibodeau Pagina+™ is offered by Rank for $ale's parent company: GCIS Inc. Besides serving as editor and CEO of Rank for $ales, Serge Thibodeau currently writes professional search engine optimization articles in some of the following publications:
SEO Today (www.seotoday.com) Additionally, Serge Thibodeau has successfully developed and deployed Global Business Listing, a powerful and flexible 'paid inclusion' search engine that will further increase any company's rankings and visibility in the major search engines. On the Web, at: www.globalbusinesslisting.com Bookmark the Rank for $ales newsletter by simply clicking here. Legal Notice This newsletter is sponsored by Rank for Sales, a professional SEO firm in business since 1997. We suggest you bookmark our newsletter and place it in the list of your favorite websites by clicking here. Feel free to contact us if you need to have your website optimized by a professional SEO firm, or if you have any question on the subject of search engines. |
