How to Advertise Locally for Free on the Internet

Contributor

By Delores Williams
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (9 Ratings)

You have a service to advertise that is really not global. How do you utilize the Internet locally? Follow these steps to start with the freebies before you pay to play.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Ads (copy)
Contact Information
Hours
Google account
XML or TSV file

Step 1

Yahoo! Locals is one of the best programs for local businesses. They have millions of users, but are able to pinpoint a person's location for appropriate ads.1. Go to Yahoo! Locals2. Click the Basic Plan3. Fill in the Information4. Update as needed
Step 2

Put an ad on Craigslist.com. If you plan on using this as a primary source, consider establishing an account.1. Click on the appropriate city2. Find the correct Category3. Write out your ad and add a picture if possible. 4. Choose where to have responses sent to5. Click submit6. Confirm the ad that Craigslist will send to your email 7. Make note of the ad number in case you need to extend or correct the ad
Step 3

Merchant Circle Coupon Page

Merchant Circle has free tools for business owners to use that will place their websites further up the ranking on Yahoo! and Google. There are places to get tips from other business owners, and you can even market your business in their forum. Many of the services are free, but they do offer some paid services when a business wants to expand its audience.1. Go to MerchantCircle.com2. Input your phone number3. Fill in the basic information to set up an account4. Customize your account with hours, logos, colors, description5. You can even create a coupon, newsletter, blog and MerchantCircle ad.
Step 4

Local.com

Local.com is a great site that is very specific. No matter where you are in the United States, it automatically brings up that area. The listings are free, and some are even featured on the front page. 1. Go to http://advertise.local.com/2. Fill in information on Find Your Business (name of business, city) 3. Update or write your listing4. Follow the directions for a free listing.
Step 5

Google Maps is a great way to advertise a brick and-mortar business.1. Go to http://www.google.com/local2. Click "Put your business on Google Maps"3. Open a Google account, if you do you have one. 4. Input the name, address, and phone of the business5. Google allows you to put a coupon with your listing
Step 6

Go to http://www.google.com/products.1. Click on Information for Sellers. 2. Follow the directions for setting up your products. You will need to use the TSV or XML file here. 3. When asked about where you want to advertise, check local. 4. You will have to update every 28 days or so.
Step 7

An ad with yellowpages.com can usually run into the hundreds of dollars, but with this basic listing, it is free.1. Go to Yellowpages.com. 2. Click Advertise with us. 3. Click "Set up your free listing", 4. Fill in information. You will need to register to list your business.
Step 8

Kudzu Basic Listing

Kudzu is primarily focused on local businesses. The homepage gives viewers the option of clicking on a City. They have multiple plans ranging from free to $2,000 per year. 1. Go to Kudzu.com, 2. Fill in the basic information 3. Confirm your email

Comments

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ezyas123 said

on 7/16/2009 Great article!

wimbley said

on 7/11/2009 Thank you for the tips. Some I had not heard of. Here are some others:

http://www.kijiji.com
http://www.thecardboard.net
http://www.domesticsale.com
http://www.oodle.com
http://www.superads.com