Hi, and thanks for popping in to My Local Business Online and checking out my About page. In a change from the normal blurb you see in about pages, I hope to convey my “why’s”.
- Why do I do what I do
- Why am I so passionate about it
- Why I want to help YOUR local business online
I set up My Local Business Online in 2011 to help small businesses get online with websites that work for them. The last thing a small business owner wants to do when they get home at night is think about websites, social media, SEO and techno-babble!
On this blog, Facebook pages and Twitter you will find tips and advice about how you can build a better online presence and be found by your potential local customers. I’ll cut through the jargon and mystery and offer straight talking information. You’ll get no hype and heavy sales pitches here!
Of course, time is money. A small business owner has to juggle many hats. To get your small business found in search and social media rather than hiding like a wallflower on the side-walk of the information super-highway, you will have to put in some time and work.
Or find someone who’s business it is to help your business succeed online.
My Local Business Online is run by Jan Kearney. I provide affordable, no bull online marketing coaching and training for micro businesses. I also offer done for you services including local business websites, local SEO services, social media management, small business web videos.
Check out my services and see how I can help you.
Why My Local Business Online?
A short tale…
Over Christmas 2010 I was looking to buy a new computer. Like many other people looking for new local services and products I turned to Google, and typed “computer deals Widnes”.
With my knowledge of Local SEO, perhaps I should not have been so shocked that the first page did not contain any local businesses other than the large chains, and of course shopping comparison sites. That got me thinking, and I did some more local searches with pretty much the same result.
It was a light bulb moment.
I love the Internet and these were the kind of tasks that landed on my desk back when I had a “proper” job – not because I was in IT or marketing or any of that stuff. But because I enjoyed doing it and “she knows how that works“.
Before I got carried away in dreaming I could do something I love for a living, I did a quick check. I thought maybe people in my town just did not do what I do and check the internet before buying. Early January 2011, I actually stood outside and asked random passers-by (who thought I was nuts!) how they went about finding local services. The results were quite shocking.
As you can see, a huge 81% of people asked answered the question with, “Google it”. Not a single person referred to telephone directories such as Yellow Pages or Thompson Local.
I am in no way suggesting such a small sample size is statistically or scientifically accurate, after all I only stood in the street and asked 29 rather bewildered people passing by my house their views. However, it was enough for me to start the ball rolling and get to work.
The stats from Google backed up my local mini-survey. 40% of UK consumers research online before buying on the high street. (Source:Google Partners Grow Local leaflet Sept 2014).
And now? Well, you show me someone who doesn’t shop online! Our online habits have changed significantly through a pandemic and it’s more important than ever to have an online presence.
I can think of nothing more enjoyable, nothing that gives me more of a buzz than doing something I enjoy that helps others too.
But enough of the story time, how can I help your small business?
- Help you get listed on Google My Business for local searches
- Help you get listed on the internet directories
- Help you get your business where it can be seen by local people looking for your services online, from websites to social media.
In turn this will:
- Establish your expert presence online
- Increase targeted visitors to your website
- Increase your calls and enquiries
- Decrease your advertising costs
You’ll find lots of information on My Local Business Online which will enable you to get started.
Please do check out my services to find out more.
You’ve read this far, I imagine you do want to know a little about who I am…
My name is Jan Kearney and my offline background is in health, safety and environment. I did have a WAMITAB in Waste Management and NEEBOSH Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety – and not maintained them! In plain English, that means is I like facts not hype.
I’ve completed three coaching courses with the International Coaching Academy that have improved my coaching skills enabling me to help you efficiently.
I’m the mother of an adult daughter, of whom I am very proud and I have been “online” since she was born. Despite being online for over 20 years, you’ll rarely see a photo of me…
So here’s a tiny grainy (not granny!) pic I scanned in. Yes, it’s me surfacing from behind the keyboard and out in the sun all in one day – a minor miracle! I do keep promising I’ll get to it, but me and cameras don’t get on – I am getting better though, my social media profiles now show me!
I’m officially retired from wielding virtual axes, conquering pixelated villages and running a tribe in a popular online strategy browser-based war game, but the chainmail bikini occassionally resurfaces!
I’m a veggie and an animal lover. Right now I have 1 dog (Muppet a staffy cross)
One last thing, the rumour that I spend more time relaxing in my bath than I do sleeping in bed is probably true.