Why Seo Killed The Yellow Pages ( 7 Reasons )

Yes another SEO article.  I have said it before and here i go again. Although this is an internet marketing blog, forum and community, by far the topic most asked and talked about is SEO. If you want to make money online you need visitors, If you want to attract visitors you need to get the attention of the search engines(primarily Google), and to get the attention of the search engines you end up back at SEO.

Since this is not an SEO website i only publish SEO articles when i think it is somehow unique or an interesting subject. In this case it is both.

• First i think it is an incredible fact that the internet and SEO has pretty much crushed paper directories such as the Yellow Pages.
• Second this is my first blog post that features a cool info-graphic. I have been seeing and reading a lot about the benefits of using info-graphics in internet marketing, that i had to jump on the bandwagon and get one for my site.

This is actually a guest info-graphic plus blog post from the folks at Infaweb all the way from Scottland.

7 Reasons Why SEO Marketing Killed Paper Directories

Before the Internet became a flexible, interactive environment, paper directories were one of the best ways for businesses to attract new customers. However, the growth of SEO marketing through PPC, social media and other channels has made these weekly and monthly publications almost obsolete. A recent infographic summarizes seven benefits that make SEO marketing more appealing than paper advertising.

Global Reach

Paper directories reach specific towns, cities or counties, allowing only a fraction of potential customers to read about a business. The Internet opens up global advertising opportunities through major search engines and social media websites. Though local advertising is important, having a worldwide audience can boost sales for companies that engage in ecommerce and offer services with widespread appeal.

Diverse Advertising

Paper advertisements aren’t cheap, with many businesses only being able to afford an ad in one or two publications. SEO offers a wide variety of advertising platforms, some of which are free to use. Other avenues require only a small investment. Any business can set up a profile on one or more social media sites and start gathering a following of customers. Targeted ads can be placed in sidebars, images and videos can be shared and contests can be run. Pay-per-click advertising on search engines is a viable option for some businesses and can increase visibility in search results.

Anywhere, Any Time

Search engines bring the entire Internet to a potential customer’s fingertips. From home computers to Smartphones to tablets, anyone can run a search wherever they are as long as there’s an available Internet connection. This is especially beneficial when it comes to local advertising, since customers can search for what they need when they’re already in the area and get directions to a location right on their mobile devices.

Quick and Easy

Instead of having to sit down with a paper directory and flip through it, hoping to find the one business that has the products or services they want, the modern customer can turn to the Internet for fast answers. Businesses can take advantage of this with SEO tactics that increase page rankings and improve visibility, thereby bringing relevant products and services to the attention of customers who already know what they’re looking for.

Comprehensive Analytics

Unless a customer specifically mentions an ad, it’s hard for business owners to know if their investment in a paper directory is working. Analytics provide real-time results that show which advertising methods are drawing customers. Keyword searches, click-thru rates and comprehensive demographic information all help businesses get a clear picture of consumer behavior.

Easy to Update

It doesn’t take much more than a few clicks and keystrokes to add fresh content on the Internet. Social media can be updated several times a day, while many bloggers post daily. Most paper directories are only published once a month, making it difficult to fine-tune advertising. With SEO, businesses can make changes to ad campaigns at any time in response to analytics and customer feedback.

Interactive

Social media, blogs, forums and other social channels give businesses a way to interact with customers in real time. Feedback can be almost instantaneous, offering direct insight into consumer habits and opinions. Unlike with static paper ads, businesses don’t have to wait to make updates to ads or website content. What customers are saying today can be incorporated into new strategies tomorrow or even sooner if need be.

With all these benefits offered by modern SEO marketing methods, businesses no longer have to rely on paper directories to get the word out. SEO is more targeted, more dynamic and more interactive than traditional advertising and, as the Internet becomes more social, will likely continue to grow as a preferable method for businesses to draw new customers.