Google's Local Business Center a Serious Threat to Existing Online Yellow Pages Directories

If you click on the "Business Solutions" link on Google's homepage, you'll find information about the various revenue generating programs, advertising opportunities and productivity tools that Google offers to the general public. You will also find two separate text links to Google's Local Business Center displayed under the headings "Get listed on Google Maps" and "Put your information on Google".

And although Google's Local Business Center isn't billed as an online yellow pages directory, that's exactly what it is. Google now allows local business owners to add their business name, address, phone number, email address, website URL and business description to its business database. This information is then displayed, at no charge, on Google Maps, and more recently, Google's web search results.

As you may or may not have noticed, when you enter a business name, city and state into Google's web search form, the first thing displayed on the results page is a map with business listings from Google's database and links to more information. If you enter a keyword, along with a city and state, the first thing that appears in the results is a link entitled, "Local business results".

This free service could spell big trouble for competitors in the online yellow pages industry. Google's Local Business Center offers all of the business information that conventional Internet yellow pages sites do, and then some. In addition to business descriptions, hours of operation, online coupons, photos, maps, driving directions, and even business reviews, Google offers Internet users something that other online yellow pages can't – the convenience of searching for both yellow pages and web search results from a single form.

Add to that, the fact that Google's business data will likely be more complete, more trustworthy and more up-to-date than its competitors because it's published by the business owners themselves, and you've got a recipe for complete dominance of the Internet yellow pages industry. Current industry leaders like YellowPages.com, SuperPages and Switchboard will have to adapt quickly to their new competitor, or we may soon be closing the book on their online yellow pages directories.

About The Author

Erik M. Cunningham is an author, researcher and the founder of the YPdx Yellow Pages ( http://www.ypdx.com ) and has been working in the online yellow pages industry since 2002.


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Using The Web: Search Engines, Directories And Safety, Part 1

Next, we'll be learning about directories and portals and protecting your safety on the Internet.

Now that you've mastered the search, you can make your life even easier by letting someone else do the work for you – directories and portals.

Directories and portals are sort of a simpler form of search engine. A directory divides items and information into categories to make it easier to find. A portal does the same thing, but it will often display feature items or news stories that it thinks may interest you. Most directories and portals are sorted by topic. If you want information on 'cruises,' just look under their 'Travel' category and you'll find it!

The Internet is a great tool. There are many benefits to using the Internet, but there are also risks. These risks include contracting computer 'viruses' that can harm your computer and having your personal information fall into the wrong hands. Here are some tips for avoiding both these problems:

First – computer viruses; computer viruses are small pieces of software and like real viruses, they spread from one computer to another. They can cause your computer to malfunction or work very slowly. The best defense against computer viruses is installing up-to-date anti-virus software. Other defenses include not opening email attachments unless you are expecting a file, and not downloading any files from the Internet unless you trust the source.

Second – keeping your personal information safe; the best way to do this is to keep your personal information private. Never give out passwords or information to people or websites that aren't safe and trusted. Keep your credit card and banking information as protected as you would in real life. It's okay to shop on-line, but do so at sites that have privacy and security policies.

The Internet is an amazing resource. Whether you're buying the latest bestseller, sending emails to your family, getting local movie times or researching – it can all be done quickly on-line. But, it's important to stay safe and, of course, have fun!

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