Australians have embraced Google like no one else on earth.
Over two in every three internet searches in this country are carried out using the ubiquitous search tool. Even if you want the most obscure fact you will nearly always locate it in mere seconds from virtually anywhere in the world.
It’s no wonder so many people say they can’t live without the magical technology dreamed up by those ‘do no evil’ boys at Mountain View.
But, unbelievable as it may sound, Google does have some major drawbacks … although, it must be said, mainly created by its own spectacular popularity.
Many web surfers will now try and ‘google’ for any type of information without even considering if it’s a sensible or appropriate approach to the task in hand.
Overwhelming anecdotal evidence indicates such is the case with local search – although no research data has been officially released by Google.
Instead of locating a dedicated local search tool such as Yellow.com.au, TrueLocal.com.au, MyLocal.com.au or our own SmartPages.com.au a large number of people are now inserting key words, e.g. Wollongong Plumber, directly into the Google search box.
Unfortunately this provides either a very unsatisfactory result, or more often nothing at all other than reference to another search tool/s.
It’s also a good idea to always change your settings from Google’s ‘the web’ default to ‘pages from Australia’ whenever you’re after local results.
The good news is that if after entering the key words into Google you simply add the word ‘SmartPages’ you will be sent directly to the correct category page in your local online directory (i.e. only in Wollongong, Parramatta and Sutherland Shire at the moment – throughout Sydney within 18 months).
By doing this you will get only tradesmen from your area and completely avoid all those annoying Sponsored Listings at the top (from major companies based up to 100 kilometres away) and the endless AdWords on the right-hand side.
So… go ahead, check it out now. How good is that!
Link to your local SmartPages Directory HERE >>>>>>>>>> | 
