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15 Sites for Promoting Your Local Business

Entrepreneur.com

The advertising of the future is going online -- and going local. This hot trend is growing rapidly and shows no signs of letting up.

In fact, according to a report by Borrell Associates, local online advertising is expected to grow by 31% this year, hitting $7.7 billion. The report also predicts local paid search will skyrocket by 86 percent this year, up to $1.8 billion. Local email marketing will grow by about 54 percent, reaching $233 million.

There's no question that consumers are using the Internet to navigate their way to local bricks-and-mortar retailers. A recent study by ROI Research and Performics shows that online searches influence 20% to 30% of purchases made at retail locations -- and that number is only increasing.

More and more sites, like Local.com, are making their presence known by competing against major search engines like Google and Yahoo!. So study up, plan your budget and get in on the online advertising game.

1. Google AdWords
AdWords helps you target local online customers by setting your pay-per-click ads to appear only when people search a particular city, state or region. There's no minimum spending requirement -- your daily budget is up to you.

2. Yahoo! Local Listings
Local Listings will promote your business to customers looking for information in Yahoo! Local. Choose from three different plans (one is free) to meet your company's needs.

3. Citysearch
Citysearch offers online advertising tools to easily open your account, manage your daily results and receive ad placement on MSN, Yahoo!, Google and Ask.com. Similar to the idea of pay-per-click advertising, Citysearch offers two paid plans, "Web Connect" and "Call Connect."

4. Ask.com's AskCity
Ask.com recently launched AskCity, a new local search application and one-stop destination for making plans. On one screen, consumers can map a route, make dinner reservations, purchase movie tickets and email plans to others. Pricing for advertising on Ask.com varies.

5. AOL's CityGuide
AOL's CityGuide specializes in providing local entertainment information to AOL service members. Advertising with AOL allows marketers to target consumers specifically by lifestyle and market.

6. Craigslist
Craigslist gets an estimated 10 million unique visitors per day. With an online classified ad format organized by region or city, Craigslist connects buyers and sellers in more than 300 communities; for the most part, posting on the site is free.

7. MerchantCircle.com
This free site offers a local business listing service that allows you to better manage your online reputation and become more visible in search engine results.

8. Dotster
Dotster is a Web domain registration and hosting company offering a local Web advertising package called "Local Site Promotion." You set your monthly budget and Dotster will make your ad visible on all the major search engines.

9. Local.com
Advertising on Local.com will give you access to their more than 10 million monthly customers. Choose from a free basic listing or pay-per-click options.

10. Froogle Local
Google's shopping search engine allows users to search for specific products by location. It's a great way for users to find retail stores regardless of whether you use e-commerce.

11. ReachLocal
This site provides a central location for businesses to set up, maintain and track local search advertising campaigns. Pricing varies.

12. RegisterLocal
RegisterLocal is a service, costing $199.95 per year, that allows you to create a master profile the company submits to search engines and directories on your behalf.

13. TrueLocal
This local search engine features full-text searching and offers advertising opportunities for businesses. Currently indexing more than 13 million local businesses, TrueLocal starts at just $1 per month.

14. YellowPages.com
YellowPages.com is a large online local directory site featuring city guides and advertising solutions. Basic listings are free.

15. Web.com's MyEzClicks program
MyEzClicks lists your business on more than 30 major search engines, including Google, Yahoo! and MSN for a monthly fee.

By using one or more of these Web-based services, you can target your advertising to hit your customers where they live, and drive more traffic to your local business in the process. Happy hunting!