Online marketing can be a fragmented business—between email, social media, blogs, link building, and search engine optimization, there are tons of channels to keep up with. Companies are often too strapped for time and manpower to properly manage their Web presence.
But having a solid online presence is important for any company. That’s why LocalVox, an innovative local marketing solution for small and medium businesses, has just announced a partnership with The Berry Company, a leading provider of local online, search, video, and print solutions for over 170,000 local businesses. Berry will offer LocalVox’s marketing solution to its roster of clients in 41 states.
Berry is a leader in the local print and digital marketing industries, helping its large customer base to promote their local businesses. Berry will offer a cobranded LocalVox solution to its existing client base and new clients.
The partnership between the two companies means big things for the local search industry overall, says Trevor Sumner, co-founder of LocalVox.
“The local search industry is going through tremendous changes, as print directories are quickly moving to adopt Internet marketing solutions to increase revenue and retention,” he says. “As customers have migrated increasingly online and to mobile, the marketing opportunity for local businesses has become more fragmented, complicated, and at the same time, necessary.”
According to Sumner, 88 percent of mobile Internet users who search for a business follow up by calling or purchasing from that business within 24 hours. In addition, businesses that invest five percent in online loyalty management programs are 25 percent more profitable.
“That’s a tremendous amount of real business,” Sumner continues. “A UK Guardian study this summer showed that restaurants with 3.5 stars are more than 50 percent more likely to be full than those with just three stars—a half star difference. So making sure your business is properly marketed across these online channels is crucial.”
As customers are increasingly turning to online and mobile channels to glean information about companies and products, more and more local businesses are vamping up their online marketing efforts. The new partnership between LocalVox and The Berry Company indicates just how much this new industry stands to grow in the coming years.
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