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The Yellow Pages - Has the Internet and Local Search consigned it to History?

Matt Chandler - Thursday, May 06, 2010
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are targeting local consumers through the internet and are using a variety of tools to reach them.  A study has shown that 80 percent of consumers use the internet to find local businesses, so does the vast amount of business information online spell the end for the traditional hardcopy of the Yellow Pages?

The local search listings have major advantages over the Yellow Pages:

Local search listings are updated regularly

Unlike the yellow pages that are published once a year, the local search listings are updated very regularly. Consumers can get the latest information in just a few clicks. Information about new products and services can be added anytime. It also allows for easy updating of contact numbers and addresses.


Local search listings can connect to your website

The local search listings are effective in getting consumers to your website, where they can find out more information about your business. Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs) and the local search listings make your website available to the hoards of search traffic.  At most, the Yellow Pages only gives a brief introduction to your business.


Search is made easy

By typing in various keywords, consumers can narrow their search to a particular business, category, product or locality.  If your website is optimised for these keywords, it is more likely to appear in the SERPs.


Advantage of multimedia

This is probably the biggest advantage of the internet over Yellow Pages. A website with multimedia features can hold a visitor’s interest and can be effective in converting them. Attractive images, video or interactive widgets can compel a visitor to stay around.  Despite the option of full-page ads, the Yellow Pages is extremely homogenous and differentiation of your business over the next is difficult.


Enables detailed product information

Internet Marketing is very effective in generating more business as websites are capable of detailing each and every product, including product pictures, dimensions, price, delivery, etc.  This is simply not possible in the Yellow Pages – the cost for all that print space would be prohibitive. 


No time-zone barrier

The online world is open 24/7 and is no slave to time zone or geography. A consumer who wants to know more about a business and buy from them can do so at any time.  Whilst the Yellow Pages are always “open”, the businesses within are not. 


Given all the advantages of Local Search over the Yellow Pages, this is the obvious place for local businesses to be marketing themselves.  Discuss your Internet Marketing strategy with WSI.






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