“I’m just a small local shop. I don’t need presence on the internet.”
This can sometimes be true, to an extent. Most in business are constantly trying to increase that business. However there is a charm to a local mom and pop shop, well known by word of mouth because of the excellent product or service they specialize in.
If you’ve done the math, and have come to the conclusion shipping globally isn’t worth the effort and opening chain shops doesn’t appeal to you, you likely don’t need another sermon on how expanding your business via the internet and other methods is financially lucrative.
What every small business needs though, whether local or global, is internet presence. Even if you cater primarily to a local market, today most potential customers do not “ask their neighbor” or drive around town looking for a particular place, most people of all ages and backgrounds first search online, and most base their decision on the information found their.
There is a narrative of SEO that it must appeal to some global audience. This is incorrect. In fact as the saying goes “when you try to please everyone you end up pleasing no one.”
SEO is made for a small niche. It is simpler, and companies consistently have more success when they focus on a narrow, either local or targeted market.
Perhaps you don’t want global online recognition. Maybe you’re looking only for a particular niche or more local business. Despite its reputation, SEO is perfectly suited for your situation. Most search engines today first display local results no matter what you may be searching for. So if you are in Phoenix and looking for a Chinese restaurant, the ones in your area will generally be on the first page. No matter the size of your business, showing up on the first page or so of a search in your local area is always beneficial.
Look for a talented SEO professional, do some research to make sure they are legitimate, and find out how internet presence can help your small or local business.
Author’s Bio: Jeffrey Gross is an Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Enthusiast who lives on Long Island, NY. Jeff’s Search Engine Optimization Company (nPromote) helps Long Island business owners (and business owners across the country) get their businesses to the top of the search engines. In his spare time Jeff teaches Search Engine Optimization to small business owners and enjoys lecturing at local colleges and other venues as well.
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Tags: seo, small business