Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Most local merchants stick to traditional online marketing

Online Marketing
Local merchants are increasingly using simple, low-cost online marketing methods, including Facebook and other social media, in addition to search and email marketing, according to California-based MerchantCircle, an online network of local business owners.

And while new marketing services — such as mobile marketing and group buying — are generating buzz, most local merchants have yet to tap the marketing methods, MerchantCircle found in its quarterly Merchant Confidence Index survey of more than 8,500 U.S. small and local business owners.

Other survey highlights:

* Local businesses have little time or budget to devote to marketing.
* Social media is now the top marketing strategy for local businesses.
* Traditional online methods trump new, unproven approaches.
* Use of traditional offline marketing methods continues to decline.
* Online marketing services companies are aggressively targeting local businesses.

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