Guide to Local Advertising on a small budget

Yahoo! local

Yahoo local allows you to list your business for free. Display your address, phone number, and website link Include your business in up to 5 categories List products, services, brands and more

I recommend: Yahoo! local basic listing

DMOZ regional listing

The open directory DMOZ also allows for local business listings. These local categories are much easier to get approved for. Be sure to follow their submission guidelines and use the listings already there as an example

I recommend: DMOZ open directory - Regional - United States

Google Maps

Google Maps allows businesses to create a free listing. Your business address and phone number will be displayed to people searching for a location near you.

I recommend: Google Maps - Add business listing

Craig List

Craig list is one of the oldest and certainly the most popular local classified ads site. List your business or products on here, most categories are free.

I recommend: CraigList

Merchant Circle

Merchant circle lists local businesses throughout the United States. It also has a nice merchants forum where you can always find some new ideas and contacts.

I recommend: Merchant Circle

Free411

1800-Free411 is a relative new way of advertising. This toll free directory assistance number plays a short ad before providing requested the phone number. You can target your add to be played when someone searches for your type of business within the geographical area you define. And you can even cross target your competition, when someone is looking for pizza delivery in your area you can have an add play "Try something healthy, this is our special:". Be creative and this can be a great resource

I recommend: advertise on free411

Better Business Bureau

Sign up with a local Better Business Bureau. This improves your credibility and gives you a change to meet other local business owners.

I recommend: Local Better Business Bureau search

MSN Adcenter

Though MSN's pay per clicks have a much lower volume than Google Adwords, a big benefit is that you can actually target by state and location. More targeted ads at a lower cost.

I recommend: Microsoft Adcenter

Google Maps & local searches

Be sure to have your business address included on your website. This will be spidered by Google and your website will be listed on local searches and on Google Maps. Be sure to use a valid adress as used by the US Postal service and include full zipcode.

I recommend: Also see Greg Brown's guide to online maps for small businesses