LOCAL SEARCH - YELLOW PAGES ON LINE

www.yellowpages.com is the Internets equivalent to local yellow page directories. And, it works for all the same type of businesses that benefit from advertising in their local yellow page directories.

Check out the benefits of local advertising.

www.yellowpages.com/sp/advertise/

Just like the print yellow pages you can advertise a cellular or residential phone for your business with the online yellow pages. If you are local to southeastern Michigan contact this blogger for additional information.

PLUMBING CONTRACTORS NEED YELLOWPAGES

8 REASONS WHY IT MAKES SENSE

1. Yellow pages are used. 40% of active shoppers for a plumber use the yellow pages.
2. 86% of the people using the yellow pages while looking for a plumber are ready to buy.
3. 75% of the users view multiple ads in the heading
4. Users of the Plumbing contractors heading tend to be older and have more disposable income
5. Yellow pages is the last chance to reach the potential customer.
6. 55% of the transactions are from new customers.
7. $1 invested in yellow page advertising will generate $11 in revenue and $3 profit for a plumber.
8. Yellow pages expand the reach of other media. Newspapers grow from an 8% reach to a 44% reach.

The Bottom Line......Yellow page advertising works, for any business and specifically for Plumbers.

$13 in Revenue from a $1 investment in Advertising

A recent (2005) study of over 76,000 yellow page display ads across 210 different headings documented that on average a $1 invested in local yellow page advertising produced $13 in revenue and over $4 in profit.

An average of 800 phone calls were received annually from the average local display ad.

For a new business 800 phone calls is a hugh boost to the potential new customer base.

Invest in advertising.....it pays.

ADS IN THE YELLOW PAGES CAN HELP LAUNCH A CAREER

Arthur Hills, a world renowned golf course architech with over 180 layouts in 10 countries to his credit believes that "a single phone book ad helped launch.....his career as a golf course architech".
www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060611/SPORTS05/606110322/0/SPORTS

If it worked for him it can work for anyone.

IS YOU NUMBER IN THE PHONE BOOK?

Are you advertising in local newspapers? Church papers? Are you handing out business cards? Have you posted your name at the local big box store?

If you are not listed in the local at&t phone book you are loosing customers.

Everyone doesn't remember your number and if they remember your catchy name then go to the phone book, as 66% of adults do an average of 3.2 times a week, you CAN'T be FOUND.

Check out this link.

www.entrepreneur.com/advertising/adsbytype/article83110.html

Significant evidence supports the NEED to advertise in the local yellow pages to facilitate acceptance of a new business.

WHAT TYPES OF BUSINESSES?

Every business needs some type of directional (helps direct the consumer to the source of supply as opposed to creative advertising where the advertiser is hoping to find a consumer with a need) advertising, usually either the traditional print or Internet yellow page advertising. However, some types of business can capture profits quicker and receive a greater return with the traditional print yellow page directories.

Home service businesses:

ROOFERS
PLUMBERS
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
SEWER CLEANERS
CARPET CLEANERS
WATER REMOVAL
GARAGE DOOR SERVICE

Notice that these are all emergency service businesses and people turn to their local yellow pages when they have an emergency need for an infrequent purchased product or service.

Also note that many of these businesses can be operated from a home base using a cell phone.

THE QUESTION? CAN I ADVERTISE WITH A CELL PHONE

YES!!! Major yellow page publishers such as at&t now allow a business to advertise in the traditional print and the Internet yellow pages without the need for a land line.

This is great news for businesses that are based at home or for start-up's without a permanent office.

Many successful, fast growing companies have begun with little more than a box of business cards, a truck sign, cell phone and an ad in the local phone directory.

I personally have many, many clients that are successful with appropriately sized ads in the at&t print or Internet directories (www.yellowpages.com) in southeast Michigan and northwest Ohio.