Local search is the use of specialized Internet search engines that allow users to submit geographically constrained searches against a structured database of local business listings.

Advertising your business locally is huge in the sense of brand development and brand awareness. I mean, the more people exposed to your business and the more accessible you are online, the more people are likely to utilize your services or buy your product. If people can't find your website or track you down via internet, then how can you expect them to know what you're selling? So not only are directories great for website exposure, There also a great way to reach out to a specific audience and capture their attention.

Local Listings also allow you to promote whatever product(s) or service(s) you are offering. You can focus on a specific city, town, state and even target zip codes, or you can just go for the gusto and advertise nationally or internationally. You can target a specific audience as well. But we will talk about that more in depth later. Most of this is done utilizing certain paid services offered through Google AdWords, Yelp Advertising, Yellow Pages, Bing Ads and many more. Some advertisement is even free depending on the listing platform.

Getting your business on every listing directory, social site, review site and search engine and insuring your business information is updated and keeping it updated across the board is also great for SEO, another important factor we will discuss more in depth later. Be sure to get on every listing directory that applies to your business, the more directories you're on the bigger your brand becomes, and the easier it is for your business to be found by potential customers searching for your product(s) or service(s). There are hundreds of directory listings so doing it yourself is going to take you an eternity. I strongly recommend doing some research on finding a company who specializes in providing such services.