Here is today’s roundup of news related to local marketing and advertising, local media, technology, local commerce, consumer behavior and more.
Top 3 Influences on B2B Buyers: Websites, Events & Content (January 2, 2019)
LSA Insider: “Over the last two years, the role of the small business website was a source of debate for local marketers. While some argue that Google is the new homepage for many small businesses, others argue the power of the website goes beyond the SERP. From the buyer’s perspective, the website is a critical checkpoint, particularly in the B2B segment.”
Three Local SEO Predictions for 2019 (January 2, 2019)
LSA Insider: “Because most companies don’t have unlimited funds to put towards SEO initiatives, this is the time of year when many of your clients are deciding where to direct their digital marketing dollars. How can you help them to get the most impact for their money?”
Google emphasizes ‘Message this business’ in new local search test (January 2, 2019)
Search Engine Land: “Google is testing a bigger push for the messaging option within the local panel. Google launched messaging within Google My Business in July 2017. Google is now testing a way to promote messaging more to searchers in the local panel by using a larger message button.”
Email marketing trends to expect in 2019 (January 2, 2019)
Marketing Land: “This year the email marketing landscape will continue to focus on personalization with a focus on quality over quantity as well as expanding loyalty programs.”
What’s Visual Search, and How Will It Play Out in 2019? (December 31, 2018)
Street Fight: “As Street Fight lead analyst Mike Boland wrote in a white paper this year, visual search is a new discovery paradigm in which consumers use smartphone cameras to find out more about the products right in front of them, marshaling the resources of the Web. Think of a Walmart shopper whipping out her smartphone to research a product on the shelf, expediting a process that would otherwise involve either calling over an employee or searching for the product on Google or Amazon.”
Smart speakers hit critical mass in 2018 (December 28, 2018)
TechCrunch: “We already know Alexa had a good Christmas — the app shot to the top of the App Store over the holidays, and the Alexa service even briefly crashed from all the new users. But Alexa, along with other smart speaker devices like Google Home, didn’t just have a good holiday — they had a great year, too.”
