Yellow Page Advertisers: Your Calls are Going to Decrease -Here's the Remedy
In today's digital age, businesses no longer rely on printed yellow pages for advertising their products or services. The rise of the internet and smartphones has made it easier for consumers to find what they are looking for on Google, Yelp, or other online directories. As a result, yellow page advertisers are seeing a sharp decrease in their call volume, leaving them wondering how they can keep up with the changing times.
The good news is that there are a few remedies that yellow page advertisers can implement to continue reaching their target audience and generating leads. Let's delve into these solutions below.
1. Invest in Online Directories
The first remedy for yellow page advertisers is to invest in online directories. While printed yellow pages may no longer be relevant, consumers are still using online directories to find local businesses. According to a survey by BrightLocal, 97% of consumers searched for a local business online in 2017, with 12% looking for a local business every day. This shows just how important it is to have a presence on online directories.
Businesses should ensure that their listing on online directories is complete and accurate. This means including the correct business name, address, phone number, website URL, and business hours. Additionally, businesses should add photos and descriptions of their products or services to help potential customers better understand what they offer.
2. Invest in Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Another way for yellow page advertisers to continue reaching their target audience is by investing in search engine optimization (SEO). SEO is the process of improving the visibility of a website or web page on search engine results pages (SERPs). By ranking higher on SERPs, businesses can increase their visibility and drive more traffic to their website.
To achieve this, businesses need to optimize their website for specific keywords that customers are likely to search for. They should also ensure that their website is mobile-friendly and loads quickly, as these are factors that can affect their website's ranking. Businesses can also consider investing in local SEO, which involves optimizing their website for local search terms, such as "hair salon in Columbus, OH."
3. Implement Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is another effective solution for yellow page advertisers. PPC is a type of online advertising where businesses pay each time someone clicks on one of their ads. These ads appear on search engine results pages (SERPs) or on websites that are part of the advertising network. PPC advertising can help businesses target specific keywords, locations, and demographics, which can help them reach their target audience more effectively.
PPC can be an effective way to generate leads quickly, especially if businesses are advertising for high-intent keywords. However, it can also be expensive, and businesses need to ensure they have a solid strategy in place before investing in PPC advertising. This means setting clear goals, identifying their target audience, and designing effective ad campaigns.
4. Focus on Social Media
Social media is another effective solution for yellow page advertisers. Businesses can use social media to connect with their target audience, build brand awareness, and generate leads. It's important for businesses to choose the right social media platforms to focus on, based on where their target audience is most active. For example, businesses targeting younger audiences may want to focus on Instagram, while businesses targeting professionals may want to focus on LinkedIn.
Businesses should ensure that their social media profiles are complete and up-to-date. This means including a profile picture, cover photo, and a brief description of what they offer. They should also post regularly and engage with their followers to build relationships and generate leads.
5. Provide Excellent Customer Service
Finally, yellow page advertisers can continue to generate leads by providing excellent customer service. Customer service is a crucial factor in determining whether a customer will recommend a business to others or return to do business again. By providing excellent customer service, businesses can not only generate repeat business but also generate new business through word-of-mouth recommendations.
Businesses can improve their customer service by responding promptly to customer inquiries and addressing their concerns quickly. They should also take the time to listen to their customers and understand their needs. By doing so, they can tailor their products or services to better meet their customers' needs and build lasting relationships.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yellow page advertising may no longer be as effective as it once was, but there are solutions available to help businesses continue generating leads. These solutions include investing in online directories, SEO, PPC advertising, social media, and providing excellent customer service. Businesses that are willing to adapt their marketing strategies to changing consumer behavior will be able to thrive in today's digital age.