Stop for a second and think about this for a moment. The last time you required a local service in Warrnambool did you perform a search on Google, or did you visit the Yellow Pages website? I would bet the majority of you searched on Google. And I would also bet that less than 1 percent of you rifled through the drawers at home or work to find your printed waste of paper version of the Yellow Pages.
Years ago, almost everyone was using Yellow Pages for the purpose of being able to search for the contact information of businesses they are interested in visiting. Everything from cafés and book shops to mechanics or dentists. You simply had to be listed in the Yellow Pages! It has also been an effective medium for advertising, especially for small businesses that were not able to afford the excessive costs of traditional newspaper, radio or television media. Nonetheless, with the increase in the significance of the internet in our daily lives, strategies like Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) are being considered as better alternative in being found by YOUR customers. If you are wondering if Yellow Pages will still be beneficial for your business or organisation, continue reading and you will certainly know the answer.
The High Cost of Advertising in Yellow Pages
In Australia, similar to other places all over the world, advertising in print, specifically in the form of Yellow Pages, is known for being expensive. If you have a small business, such as a retail shop or a specialty restaurant, advertising in Yellow Pages can cost as much as $10,000 annually. This is without a doubt far too much, especially considering the fact that your money can be distributed to other promotional strategies that are proven to be more effective. In this case, there is sufficient reason to believe that Yellow Pages listings are no longer as beneficial as it was once before.
A Promising Alternative
Rather than spending such a hefty sum on a marketing channel that is already insignificant in this modern time of advertising, a better alternative is to invest in SEO and social media marketing, which will allow your business to rank higher in Google and the popular social networking channels. Search engines are now considered to be the new Yellow Pages. It is a no-brainer that being more visible in the online community is going to be helpful in getting your brand in front of (at the very fingertips) of your target audience.
Search Engine Optimisation
A highly effective SEO campaign that delivers outstanding return on investment, can cost as little as $100 per month, depending on the competitiveness of your industry and keywords. With SEO, your website will appear on the top of Google search results, which will help in increasing website clicks, boost brand awareness and help you attract customers who are searching for the exact products or services you offer. Aside from cost benefits, SEO is also a great alternative to Yellow Pages because it is easier to measure performance to keep track of your progress.
Social Media Marketing
Aside from SEO, another strategy that can be considered as an alternative to Yellow Pages would be Social Media Marketing. Your business can quickly and easily be in front of the huge number of online users who are active on the popular social media channels every single day. By having an effective presence on the popular social channels, you can create a better brand image, offer an unmatched user experience and build a legion of loyal followers who can promote your products and services for you!
The beauty of online marketing is the ability to track your marketing spend and return on investment at any minute of the day. You can figure out the exact amount you are returning to the business for every dollar you are spending on Search Engine and Social Media Marketing. Can the same be said for the couple of lines of text in dust covered Yellow Pages directory? I don’t think so!
If you want to learn more about marketing your business on the web, why not arrange a sit down with the team at WestVic Web. We can grab a coffee and discuss how to deliver better results for YOUR business!
