what would you use to look up a business in the UK?

what would you use to look up a business in the UK?

I am in the process of setting up a new business and am looking to see how people would search for a local business in the UK. What search engine would you use? Would you look in the Yellow Pages? What other kind of advertising would make you use the services or buy a product from a business? If your wondering we are a Kitchen and Bedroom supplier and fitter.

Asked by Henry Charles of Keighley about Small Business

Google and Yell are the most popular search tools that I know and use for looking for businesses.

Answered by FrancoisDerain

I might use yellow pages or google. But yellow pages are expensive and google would depend on you having a website and one that you have spent money on and getting it SEOd. Firstly you have to decide on the geographical area that you will operate in. and the distances you would travel. If you aim to cover a large area then that would mean entries in 2 or more yellow pages. When I had an alarm fitting business I managed to get a local housebuilder to agree the fitting of a system to a show home. This not only attracted the buyers of the homes but the many who would look round with no intention of buying a new house. That said is there a Gumtree site http://www.gumtree.com/ for your area. or http://www.vivastreet.co.uk/ they allow free ads Look at the local paper is there an opportunity to advertise there If you intend to have retail premises then make sure you have signage around and about advertising your location. Think about leaflets or flyers but do this area by area. The question is really one of do people search for you or do you get thier attention. If you are opening a new business then you maybe have to think about a bit of a bang some sort of promotional event. Business promotion and advertising need not cost a fortune small regular ads in the local paper are often the best. But this will take good negotiating skills with paper. Can you look at other non competing businesses and agree a mutually beneficial advertising. You have adverts/cards for them thay have for you. Maybe the local vinyl/carpet shop as no doubt new kitchen new vinyl.

Answered by Rocket

Google and Yell are the most popular. You do need a website to make them effective. Think about linking up with local builders as their preferred supplier for kitchens and bedrooms. Advertise on the sides of your vans so that people in your area get used to seeing your businesss name. Whilever the vans are on the road or more importantly parked outside a customers house youre advertising what you do. Have you a newsworthy story that your local paper would run? Is there an interesting story about how your business started up or something really different about the way you do things? Free press coverage is worth hundreds of pounds of paid advertising. The readers feel that the paper is endorsing you and your products. It can bring a lot of business. Recommendations are one of the best ways of increasing your business. Ask all your existing customers for the names of 3 people who would be interested in your services. Make sure you ask them as soon as you complete the work when theyre feeling really good about what youve done. If you only ask for 1 referral youll only get 1 name. Good luck

Answered by Rosemary P

Offline Yellow Pages. Online Google it or use Yahoo or Bing. Search on UK free classifieds. Loads about online.

Answered by MReady thisday

We are a small building company doing well despite the recession. We advertise on the internet and have done for a long time now but it doesnt help us much 95 our work is word of mouth referrals from satisfied customers.

Answered by Cala B

I would use the famous search engine beginning with g Then Yellow pages Then perhaps the local free paper

Answered by Ross T