There are a variety of people who believe building a business around a geo domain is limiting the global concept of the internet. The little piece of the local pie is not appealing to these individuals. The great thing about the domain industry is that it is a multifaceted industry full of revenue streams with those who have the right game plan.

The LATimes.com reported that they will bring in close to $25 million in online display revenue this year. They have accomplished this success by delivering to a local market for the most part. Based on these results, owning a piece of the pie is not so bad and can be very rewarding. Of course, the LA Times is a well established media outlet and much of this revenue has been earned based on this important fact. However, these results can be duplicated by owning a great geo domain and a solid development plan.

The article is a must read and delivers good information.

LATimes.com generated $6 million in display ad dollars in 2005, and is on track to bring in closer to $25 million in online display revenue this year, according to Rob Barrett, SVP interactive media and GM at LATimes.com. He expects the Web site to represent 20 percent of LA Times cash flow by 2011, and appealing to local audiences by building content representative of LA’s local flavor is part of the path towards getting there.

“We’re trying to create the best targeting machine to the Los Angeles DMA,” said Barrett, speaking at this week’s Kelsey Group local media conference in Seattle. Recognizing LA and California are identified with certain topics such as environmentalism, Hollywood, car culture, and immigration, they are central to his content redevelopment scheme. That entails a locally-focused travel section redesign and a behind-the-scenes film site set to launch soon called HollywoodBacklot.com.

(via Clickz.com)

This is a good article on local mobile search.  It highlights the growth of consumers using mobile devices to search for local content and states the importance of advertisers delivering ads that fit this new way of search.  What I find interesting is that big companies still use the term ”yellowpages” for local search.  A very powerful brand, but the truth of the matter is that yellowpages do not deliver the same results, content.  Content is the most important factor when a consumer is in the “Buy Now” mode or even “Window Shopping Mode” on the internet that will determine action being taken by the consumer.  They consistently use this term to identify the local internet market.  It really is the wrong term to use IMHO, until yellowpages delivers more content on the internet, other than a name, number, and address.

Big media will get it eventually, but I find it frustrating that the big guys with millions/billions of dollars and marketing gurus with PHDs and every type of degree, are just scratching the surface.   While everyone is faced trying to take over the world in local advertising individually, those who form networks will be the ones who are succesful at online dominance.  Geo Domains will be the primary platform that consumers will search for first, before they go to a company called Yourlocalpages.com.  One key statement that struck me and holds some truth, is the fact that consumers are uneducated on the different local platforms available for thier use. 

The reason I say holds some truth, is because local consumers already know where to find local information on the internet.  Think about it, where do you go for local information in your area on the internet? I am sure you have an answer, and that answer and reason is what we all are trying to replicate.   

(via searchengineland.com)

New expos and conferences are going to surface in 2008 covering the local advertising market to embrace its explosive growth.  One of these new conferences, is the Pelorus Mobile Local Search Forum. We are going to see alot of the local platform companies, IYP, and other local technology companies move into the Domain expo/conference arena in the coming months.  Everything is going from global to local on the internet, and promoters will have no choice but to welcome these companies and broaden the horizon for domainers.  

For years, Expo promoters have failed to deliver what these companies have to offer.  AssociatedCities.com has been the only organization to embrace these companies at thier expos.  They bring a wealth of knowledge to the table and offer easier ways to accomplish the goals everyone is trying to achieve; Getting Local Advertising Dollars. 

Here is an article covering the untapped local mobile market.

The local mobile market is huge and largely untapped. Less than 1 million businesses participate in paid search today, leaving about 6 million (85 percent) of the potential local search advertising market largely untouched. That’s even truer in the case of mobile search.

Yes, the local mobile market is still somewhat limited by the relatively small screens on most existing devices. However, there are signs this is being addressed, which will greatly benefit local mobile search. As more mobile devices such as the iPhone hit the market, many of the pieces for the perfect local mobile advertising storm will fall into place.

  

(via Clickz.com)