Local Search Continuing To Gain Steam

comScore Networks, a leader in measuring the digital age, recently released the results of an analysis revealing the size and growth of the U.S. local search market.

According to the study, 63 percent of U.S. Internet users (or approximately 109 million people) performed a local search online in July, a 43-percent increase versus July of 2005.

Two out of five local searchers (41 percent) were looking for information on a local service in their home area, including car rental office, dry cleaner or lawyer.

The comScore study also found that performing a local search drives consumers to take action. During the second quarter of 2006, 47 percent of local searchers visited a local merchant as a result of their search behavior, while 41 percent made contact offline.

What does this mean to you? If you're running a small business and never worried about the Web before because you only sell locally, you need to think again. At a minimum, you need an informative and compelling Website that is search optimized for your sales region.