Locally based businesses need to be on the Web too
by Denise Wakeman
Source: http://www.buildabetterblog.com/2009/11/locally-based-businesses-need-to-be-on-the-web-too.html

I’ve been interviewed twice in the last week for articles in trade magazines – one for restaurants and the other for optical professionals in Canada – about using online marketing and social media for locally based businesses (bricks and mortar stores).

I tell them if their ideal client/customer/diner/patient cannot find them on the web, it’s like they don’t exist. If you’re like me, and millions are, you use the Web to find information for just about everything, including local businesses. How many times have you done a search to find a restaurant in your own neighborhood or one you’re visiting? Or how about to find a chiropractor or dentist or optician or spa or…?

You’ve got to have a robust online presence in order to compete and be found by your ideal client.

And the best place to start?

You guessed it! A blog for your business, of course!

When you create keyword-rich content on a blog, it gets indexed by the search engines and you can be found by your customers when they do an online search for the problem(s) they have and you solve. Everyday I hear from professionals and business owners who have not yet started a blog. If that’s you, here’s an article on Ten Easy Steps for Starting a Business Blog.

Naturally there’s a lot that goes into creating and maintaining an effective business blog that gets results. The first step, though, is to take action, make a decision and do it, or get help doing it.

Remember, even local businesses need to be visible on the Web.

Denise Wakeman
The Blog Squad

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[My comment]

Hi Denise,

Thank you for your timely article. Dr. Jerry Graham and I just closed on a Web 2.0 contract to help market a client with a brick and mortar business. He raised the same questions you addressed.

I love what you say, “I tell them if their ideal client/customer/diner/patient cannot find them on the web, it’s like they don’t exist.”

You have made a tremendous difference in our lives and networks since you and Patsy were guests on our webinar about blogging in Oct 2008.

I’ve always remembered what you said, “If you don’t have time to blog at least 2-3x/week, you don’t have time for your business!”

Thank you for being a bright light in a world of darkness.

Blessings for this to be your most special Thanksgiving and Christmas season ever!

Randy Peck, M.D.
“Blessed to be a blessing”
THE CONNECTOR and The Journal Guy