Some small business owners don’t see the value of online advertising because they aren’t interested in attracting website visitors worldwide. Local search changes all that.

Studies show that the majority of small businesses draw customers from within a 50-mile radius. The good news is that a variety of tools make it easier for your business to be found by people searching for local businesses. And the tools are getting more precise and more intelligent as the search engine companies invest in local search technology.

If you want your business to get found by those searching for local businesses, there are a number of specific actions you can take to increase your chances of being located.

1. Include address information on your website
2. Use “key value pairs” to describe contact information
3. Include hours, disabled access and more
4. Remember local searchers using mobile phones
5. Consider mail forwarding for a home business
6. If you can’t get a link, at least get a mention
7. Geo-target paid search campaigns
8. Be found even without a website

Technology Inc