The June 10 Search Engine Land Locals Only column featured tips from Idearc Search Marketing’s Brian Gulledge for local and Internet retailers looking to weather today’s economic challenges. The most important tip: don’t give up on your advertising as it can help you stay ahead of the competition. Here are some tips from the column, which can be read in its entirety at: http://searchengineland.com/080610-132700.php.

Economic waves rise and fall and local and Internet retailers are as vulnerable to capsizing as any business. Why do some local businesses seem to ride it out more easily than others? What can you do to help your business stick around until the next break in the storm? Here are some common sense answers More...

Local search has revolutionized how quickly and easily people can find local business information.  In an instant you can have a list of every Chinese restaurant in a 10-mile vicinity and directions how to get there.  While highly effective for dispensing general information, local search to this point has lacked the detailed information that help users decide, for example, if a restaurant is a good choice for a date night.  But online video is changing all of that.

Web video gives customers an insider look into local businesses and helps them make informed decisions rather than blind guesses. Users can see first-hand if a gym is well equipped or they can “meet” their local dentist before committing to an appointment.  By taking the guesswork out of buying, there’s less potentia More...