Internet Searching Hits Close to HomeWritten by Neil Street
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do not even have a web presence to which consumers can be directed. Then there is question of directory versus search – how will consumer look for information, how will it be delivered, and most importantly, what will it cost advertiser? Today, a number of different models are competing in a race to offer best model both from view of advertiser and view of end user. Google is beta testing a search method that serves up local results, which will of course tie in with Google’s Adwords program (paid little box ads next to search results). Yahoo is blurring lines with their new offering, which is a “paid inclusion” model that then ranks a site based on relevancy, and, as if that were not complicated enough, blends it with a “pay per click” model. Verizon is unveiling similar “blended” strategies through their Superpages directory, and other players are rushing to market with their plans and programs. What to do while major players sort out field? If you are a website owner with a local focus, now is time to start getting familiar with new opportunities: check out Yahoo’s new “paid inclusion” program (offered via Overture); Citysearch is worth a look; Google is beta testing a local version of Ad Words; and Internet Yellow Pages from Yahoo and Verizon are both worth evaluating. And don’t forget to optimize your site for search, through appropriate use of keywords plus geographic modifiers. Beyond website owner, boom in local search affects anyone involved in local commerce. Whatever your role, it’s important to be aware that an economic sea change is taking place. Remember that consumers make most of their purchases within 50 miles of home. Like politics, most business is local. Any major change in how consumers shop for those purchases is an important economic event.
Neil Street is co-founder of Small Business Online, based in Wilton, CT., a website design, management, and promotion company dedicated to the Internet needs of the small business. His website is at http://www.smallbusinessonline.net Send email to neil@smallbusinessonline.net He can also be reached at (203)761-7992
| | Expose Yourself!Written by jim Peters
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For example, title of this article must have grabbed your attention. You probably wondered, what could "Expose Yourself" be about? Now, assume you have your article written along with an eye- catching title. Where do you go from there? Well, whole idea is to expose yourself. So, next step is a dynamite "sig" file. That's Internet speak for an expanded signature. One that contains not only your name, but additional data about your background and enterprise you wrote article to promote. Keep your "sig" file short and sweet, not more than 6 to 8 lines formatted same as your article. You now have an article with a great title, along with your "sig file. It's time to promote it. Have a look at these quick tips http://www.opportunityupdate.com ips.html for getting your article noticed by a publisher. Here are a few of excellent sources for promoting your article: http://www.opportunityupdate.com/doorwaytosubmit.html http://www.goarticles.com/ http://www.dime-co.com/articlesub.htm http://www.ezinearticles.com/ http://www.ideamarketers.com/ http://www.mailbiz.com/mailbiz/magcat/ http://www.marketing-seek.com/articles/submit.shtml http://www.netterweb.com/articles/ http://www.powerhomebiz.com ermsofuse/articlesubmission.htm Now, go out there and expose yourself!
[ jim Peters is Manager of http://NetServeInt.com NSI "SOLUTIONS". NSI specializes in custom website design,promotion, maintenance, http://registeryourdomainforless.com domain registration, http://hostnsi.com site hosting, site and graphic design, as well as e-commerce packages for small to medium sized companies. In other words "SOLUTIONS". ]
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