Mobile Devices, Local Listings and Your Local Business

Imagine if your customers were driving around town and had the yellow pages with them so they can find anything they want when they want to find it. This is exactly what is happening with local business listings and mobile devices. There are over 19 local listing websites and at least seven mobile device operating systems that feed over 276 million cell phones in the United States with local listing information.

Whether we are talking about Google Maps, MapQuest Navigator, Yahoo Maps, or Bing Maps, the mapping information allows consumers to search for a business, product or service and get directions from their current location. When the information is displayed on the mobile device's map software, the basic information about name, address, city, phone, website, and phone numbers are available. There is additional information that can be displayed as well that includes photos, videos, coupons, discounts, offers and more. Yes, aside from the yellow pages being on the road, so are coupons!

The local business listings give you the most control over the way your business listing appears on the mobile devices. Since more people search for businesses online, it's important to make sure your business listing can be easily found on with any of the local listing websites. When your business information is submitted through the local listing websites, you are giving the local consumers the information they need to walk through your doors.

In order to get your local business information to the local listings, you will need to understand the infrastructure of the mobile industry.

1. The major players in the cellular industry are AT & T, Sprint and Verizon.

2. For starters there are at least seven operating systems that include Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, Java, Windows Mobile for Smart Phones, Symbian S60 3rd Edition for Nokia Smart Phones, Palm OS.

3. Local Listing websites include Google, Yahoo, Bing, Ask, Yelp, CitySearch, Local.com and 19 others. Some feed into each other, while others stand on their own.

As you can see it will be impossible for the mobile industry to agree on a single source of information. For this reason you have to consider having your local business information updated at all possible local listing websites in order to have maximum reach of the local consumer market.

Do remember that the mobile consumer can also submit their immediate reaction about you in these local listings. The local listings with the major search engines give your customers and potential customers the ability to share their first reaction with you. They can do this while they are on the road. For this reason your local listing will need to not only be updated, but also monitored for any potential problem results.

You can update and maintain the local listing on your own, however, since there are many sources. A professional Internet marketing firm would be a good choice. The process of having your local listing properly updated and working in your favor requires some experience and understanding of this medium. Internet marketing companies with a low one time setup fee can support your business marketing. Once the listings have been updated you can choose to maintain the listings yourself or for a small monthly fee you can have the listing maintained for you.

Changes in the mobile device industry are making it necessary for local businesses to engage their local business listings. Do you know what is in your local listing? Get your business listed, updated and give your customers and potential customers a reason to spend their money with you!