As many of you know, I left AT&T Advertising & Publishing in 2008 to start my own business, Get on the Map Local Search Marketing. I had been a top producer, several times named to the CEO’s list of the top 5% of the sales reps in the nation. But as the usage of the print yellow pages declined, and AT&T tried to move clients into online products, I no longer believed we were doing a good service for our customers.
Yellowpages.com started out as a good idea. Help local customers find local businesses that can provide them with service. But their glory days were over when Google introduced the Google Local Business Center with the Google Map.
In researching the results that other businesses have experienced when they compare Google results and yellowpages.com, I found this interesting video. Let me know what you think.
Although this video refers to Australia, I think the numbers are similar, in fact they might be worse.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you are exactly spot-on with your assessment of YP. The numbers I have seen are about 32% of local searches coming from Google and about 3% from yellow pages. I am not sure if the YP numbers are for online or books, but since we no longer even receive phone books, I assume it is from online.
I think the YP people are fooling themselves if they think they can compete with a paid service in the face of free ones. Like many other businesses (CDs, newspapers, etc), the internet is forcing changes in search that assure the demise of the yellow pages. I see no way out for them. That is just the way the world works.
Google is tough to beat. Their maps service is incredible, I use it almost daily. Now that they’ve added street view not only can I get directions but I can figure out what side of the street its on and where I’m going to park.
That is an interesting video. I was a big fan of Yellow pages back in the day but they haven’t done too much to keep up with the times.
Any suggestions as to breaking an ypconnect contract?
I am confused with the YP “free listing.” Tried to list one of our salons, and at the end I was asked to agree to a 12 month contract? No pricing? Free or not. I passed but would like a free internet listing. Advice?