Most Mobile Users Search for Local Businesses

A recent study found that most mobile users use search engines to track down information about local businesses. The findings highlight the need for practices to have a site that's optimized for mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets.

The study looked at U.S. smartphone users ages 18 and older and analyzed their mobile search trends. Researchers found that four in five respondents used search engines on their devices to find local information at least a few times per week.

The majority of the information that mobile users sought out included business hours, local store addresses, directions to the stores and product availability at nearby shops, according to the study, which was based on polling conducted by Google in partnership with Ipsos MediaCT and Purchased.

Interestingly, the smartphone searchers were slightly more likely to use their phones to look for local information while at home than when they were on the go, although many survey participants took advantage of the convenience of attaining local information about a business while on the move.

The survey also found that people who conducted local searchers on their mobile devices often took action, with half of the consumers visiting a store within a day of conducting a local search via their smartphone. Meanwhile, 34 percent of consumers who conducted their local search on a computer/tablet device went to the store within a day.

Furthermore, 18 percent of local searches on smartphones led to the user making a purchase, compared with only 7 percent of nonlocal searches. These findings underline the importance of having a mobile-friendly site with search engine optimization (SEO) so that the potential patients seeking out your practice will be able to find and view your site especially on their mobile device.

All the of the sites created using Dr. Leonardo are viewable from a mobile device, and the Dr. Leonardo Mobile Option makes it even easier for current and potential patients to navigate your site from their iPhone, Android or tablet.

Dr. Leonardo sites also come with basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO) already built in to automatically index your practice in search engine results. If your practice requires enhanced visibility, click here to learn more about our SEO Master Tool.

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