The world has dramatically changed since the popularization of smartphones that happened in the mid-2000s. Worldwide, it’s estimated there will be around 2.7 billion smartphones in 2019, which corresponds to 35% of the population. Canada alone has an estimated 75% of its population using a smartphone.
The way that any business advertise its products and services is no longer solely dependent on the traditional media or word of mouth, now they need to be on the online world in order to be found by customers. But here comes the challenge for the local economy: big corporations have been successfully exploring all the alternatives to reach out to almost everyone who has access to the internet, and therefore they can compete with all the other companies for every single customer out there. So how can a local business, mainly small and family-owned, stay competitive and be found by customers when they don’t have the expertise and resources to invest in online marketing and compete with the giants?
Well, there are many available online resources - I believe the most important step is to be on Google Maps - and here is where I believe that the Local Guide platform can have a positive impact, we can help the local businesses to take the ride with the new connected world and stay competitive, be found by customers, generate more business, hire more people, and contribute to the local economy. The local community has a voice, and for many people, reading and seen real feedback and photos from other consumers is more valuable than the most expensive advertisement.
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