Last week we discussed the value of Internet marketing even if you business is locally based. Today, I want to give you some specific types on how to put your local business web site in front of your customers.

The first thing many people will do when opening a business is to list their business in the Yellow Pages. With a web site, you can do exactly the same. Go to http://store.yellowpages.com/post/, set up a free account and enter your business. The service is free and will put you on one of the largest web sites dedicated to local business.

Include your business in the major search engines as well. At http://local.yahoo.com/, scroll down to the bottom left side and click on the Add a Business link to list your business. I found this site: http://www.locallytype.com/pages/submit.htm that lists a number of local search engines as well as other Internet yellow pages - 51 listings services that serve the United States. Always go for the free listings at first, until you know if that particular source will provide traffic, and business to your site.

An added bonus to having your site listed on local search engines is that many offer their customers a place to post reviews. Nothing sells better than word of mouth, so encourage your customers who found you by these means to return to that search engine and give you a good review.

Another popular technique is to exchange links or banners with local businesses in your area. Post their link on your site as well. This mutual exchange will not only generate traffic for you both, but will demonstrate an interest in supporting the local economy, and that is always a big draw for people. As clients that have web sites to post your link as well. Many companies that host private events will have an internal web site, too. Their employees will want to contact you after seeing you at their event in order to book you their private events as well.

Working with the local search engines will place you in front of a potential customer base that relies on the web and good word of mouth recommendations to make their buying decisions. To miss this opportunity is to miss sales - a cost no one can afford.