Search Engine Optimization (SEO) isn’t limited to inbound marketing insiders anymore. The concept of creating a continuous flow of fresh, original content that improves your online search results, just makes good business sense.

After all, increased visibility means more people notice you. If more people notice you, then your sphere of influence and pool of potential customers expands.

Sounds like a pretty simple formula, right? It would be, if a vital piece of the puzzle wasn’t almost universally missed. To be fair, this piece is relatively new, considering it’s only been around for about the last five years. If you aren’t already accessing it, it’s pretty easy to miss.

However, chances are you’ve already used local search listings with mobile optimization in your everyday life. Now, you just need to apply the same principle to the way you do business, because your customers are already a step ahead of you.

This installment of the Plastic Printers template of the week will show you how to catch up and keep pace with the new way of doing business on the Internet.

Website-in-Miniature

How can we be so sure that you’ve used local search listings and mobile optimization before? Surveys done over the last two years confirm it.

In 2012, a research survey found that more than 85% of customers use the Internet to look up information on local businesses. These findings were backed up a Google focus group study published that same year.

The popular search engine found that 94% of smartphone users use their mobile device to find local businesses. Of that 94%, all but 4% of users followed up their research with an independent call-to-action:

• Contacting the business by phone
• Visiting brick-and-mortar locations
• Redeeming discounts, coupons, or vouchers from promotional campaigns

These findings aren’t expected to change anytime soon.

In fact, the market for local search and mobile optimization is only expected to grow in the New Year. The best strategy: don’t just cater to one option on the other; have a foot in both digital marketing places at once. Local search listings are the perfect 2-in-1 solution.

These listings can – and should – be optimized for all computer, smart device, mobile and smartphone users. Your new rule of thumb: if they can search on the device, they will find a local search listing for your business. View it as an extension of your brand identity that looks like a miniature version of your company website.

Casting a long Digital Shadow

Setting up your local search listings is a two-step process:

1. Verification
2. Listing enhancement

Remember to dust off some of the knowledge in your SEO storehouse. You’ll use similar concepts when creating your listings.

For instance, Google uses the same authentication process for both website content and listing information. They pay particular attention to accuracy and categorization details. Make sure your business type, name, and contact information is exactly the same across the board. Always correct any alternate spellings or spelling errors and delete outdated information.

People act on impressions. That means step number two is to get noticed. How do you stand out from your competitors using Internet? Add visuals.

Last week we talked about the increased interest in short-form video. Local search listings is one example of where these videos can be used to draw in customers, but don’t stop there. Include full-color pictures, customer reviews, personal touches and promotional exclusives; whatever it takes to stand out and get people in the door. That’s where the iPhone business card comes in.

Using our template of the week, you can create a pocket-sized local search listing. The iPhone business card gives people a way to find your business on the spot.

Chances are good that most people you come across have a mobile device – 65% of Americans own a smartphone and 35% of them own tablets. The problem is the mobile market may not be aware of your business. Awareness can be instantaneous if you use one of our templates.

This allows the recipient of the card to immediately look up and access information about your business on-the-go; giving you access to almost 100% of the market at the drop of a business card.

Pretty powerful, don’t you think? So, contact us for more tips and tricks to improve your traction by printing on plastic.