Local.com aussichtsreich

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compete.com
www.competeinc.com/about_compete/clients/

2.) Alexa Internet

- founded in 1996
- company of Amazon.com that is known for its toolbar and website

www.mark8t.com/2008/08/31/...-it-matter-to-increase-your-rank/
"Alexa does not get you much direct traffic (unless you get into the top 100). It gets mostly Ego searches from webmasters looking at their own domain."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexa_Internet
"The Alexa toolbar is regarded by many vendors, such as Symantec and McAfee, as spyware."

de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexa_Internet
"Aufgrund der mangelhaften Stichprobe überschätzt Alexa die reale Reichweite bestimmter Webseiten um den Faktor 50"

www.google.com/adplanner/...=US&trait_type=1&lp=false

Unique visitors (estimated cookies):
local.com              15M
yelp.com               28M
whitepages.com   21M
yellowpages.com  23M
superpages.com   18M
citysearch.com     14M

Daily Unique Visitors (cookies):
Prozentuale Änderungen, ermittelt aus den Grafiken (2010-11-20):
Site                       / 1 Jahr (2010)  / 2 Jahre (2009+2010)
local.com               /   +94 %            /    +236 %
yelp.com               /   +38 %             /    +115 %
whitepages.com   /     -1 %             /       -12 %
yellowpages.com  /  +30 %             /      +28 %
superpages.com   /  +19 %             /      -19 %
citysearch.com      /   -11 %             /      -26 %

Vergleich dieses Trends mit Compete:
siteanalytics.compete.com/local.com+yelp.com/

Unique Visitors - Yearly Chance (21.11.2010):
local.com / +87.23%
yelp.com / +19.34%

Visits - Yearly Chance (21.11.2010):
local.com / +262.54%
yelp.com / +15.65%

Rank - Yearly Chance (21.11.2010):
local.com / +53
yelp.com / +18

Fazit:
Ob jetzt Yelp mehr absoluten Traffic hat oder Local, weiß ich nicht. Compete und Google Ad Planner, beides sicherlich sehr namhafte Quellen, liefern hier sehr unterschiedliche Daten.
Was aber die dynamische Entwicklung im letzten Jahr betrifft, liegen sie recht nahe beieinander, und zwar zu Gunsten von Local.com.

Irgendwo las ich den Einwand, dass die Yelp-App für Smartphones wohl sehr erfolgreich ist. Auch Local.com hat einen Einstieg für mobile Geräte ( mobile.local.com/ ).
Ob solche Zugriffe mitgezählt werden und ob deren Anteil ausreichend hoch ist, um eine Verfälschung der Ergebnisse zu bewirken, wenn hier unvollständig gezählt werden sollte, weiß ich nicht.

Was aber für mich unzweifelhaft feststeht, unabhängig davon wie sich Konkurrenten schlagen, ist die deutliche Traffic-Zunahme auf der Domain local.com in den letzten beiden Jahren. Mit Ausnahme vielleicht von Alexa zeigen dies alle o.g. Tools an (compete.com, quantcast.com, Google Ad Planner, Google Trends, ranking.com).

Ich habe heute nochmal ein bisschen mit der Website Local.com gespielt, mal einen Account angelegt und mal dies und jenes gesucht, mit local-yahoo, google-maps und yellowpages verglichen, um meine Phantasie anzuregen, wo Local.com in ein paar Jahren stehen könnte (+/- Liste siehe unten).

Einerseits sind einige gute Ideen und sinnvolle Ansätze realisiert. Andererseits kann sich die technische Funktionalität noch nicht wirklich mit google und yahoo messen. Local steht irgendwo zwischen den klassischen IYP-Seiten und den Local-Search-Seiten der Suchgiganten.

Ob Local in 2 Jahren noch eigenständig ist? In einem stark wachsenden Markt wie Local Search ist sicher die nächsten Jahre erstmal noch Platz für viele. Andererseits ist das Unternehmen zu klein um selbst größere Übernahmen zu stemmen oder technisch-funktional aus eigener Kraft an die Großen heranzukommen.

Es wurden ja schon verschiedene Übernahmen spekuliert. Google und Yahoo brauchen m.E. Local.com nicht, da sie ähnliche Seiten bereits haben, die zudem rein technisch überlegen sind. Eine Gruppe, die inhaltlich gut passen könnte, ist die IAC. Der Sogan "to make daily life easier" erinnert mich an die neue Zielgruppenausrichtung von Local "The brand has been repositioned to satisfy the needs of busy household managers":
finance.yahoo.com/q?s=IACI
www.iac.com/About-IAC/
www.iac.com/Our-Businesses/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InterActiveCorp
Die Seiten dieser Gruppe sind nicht einheitilich gestaltet. Es sieht wie ein loser Verbund aus. Local könnte so bleiben wie es ist, aber vom Netzwerk der Gruppe profitieren.

--------------------------------------------------
Hier eine positiv/negativ-Liste meiner heutigen Eindrücke:
+ Bündelung von lokalen Businesses, Coupons und Events auf einer Seite
+ ansprechend gestaltete und klar strukturierte Webseiten
+ einige nützliche Features wie "Daten auf Handy senden"
+ Content für den Alltag (auf neue Zielgruppe abgestimmt)
+ gute Suchergebnisse anhand Keyword (laut einiger Reviews führend im
  lokalen Bereich)

- keine beliebige Startadresse für lokale Suche wählbar (nur Orte bzw.
 deren Mittelpunkt)
- (momentan) keine Filter zum Eingrenzen der Treffer vorhanden (Distanz etc.),
  hier vermute ich dass man noch nachliefert, denn auf der Seite wird mit dem Relaunch
 u.a. auch versprochen: "New and improved search filtering capabilities"
- noch relativ wenige Bewertungen vorhanden
- Karte sehr klein und eher bescheidene Kartenfunktionen
- Premium- und Feature-Listings erscheinen oft trotz geringer Relevanz
- Kategorien eher knapp und willkürlich gestaltet (auf neue Zielgruppe abgestimmt)

• 2010 Innovator Award for Software: Sheldon Razin, chairman of the board for Quality Systems,Four Orange County technology professionals were named leaders in their industry during TechAmerica's 52nd annual David Packard Medal of Achievement and Innovator Awards, held Monday in Silicon Valley.

Ken Stedman of Lake Forest-based M2 Renewables; Heath Clarke of Irvine-based Local.com; Francie Hall of Irvine-based Aspen Medical Products; and Sheldon Razin of Irvine-based Quality Systems were among the eight professionals to garner Innovator Awards.

The honor recognizes individuals across a range of segments for their contribution to the tech industry.

Other innovators include Reid Hoffman of Greylock Partners; Timothy Guertin of Varian Medical Systems; Matthew Flannery of Kiva; and Ray Muslimani of Global Computer Enterprises.

Meanwhile, Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of San Francisco-based salesforce.com, took home the David Packard Medal of Achievement for his lifetime commitment to the high-tech industry.

“TechAmerica is excited to highlight Marc Benioff and the Innovator Awards recipients as they continue to influence technology development throughout the world,” said TechAmerica President and CEO Phil Bond. “We had many nominations for these prestigious awards, and we congratulate the individuals for their winning achievements.”

Here's a breakdown of the local awardees:

• 2010 Innovator Award for Clean Tech/Green Tech/Smart Grid: Ken Stedman, founder and chief technology officer of M2 Renewables Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Internet: Heath Clarke, chairman and CEO of Local.com

• 2010 Innovator Award for Medical Devices: Francie Hall, marketing communications specialist for Aspen Medical Products Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Software: Sheldon Razin, chairman of the board for Quality Systems,Four Orange County technology professionals were named leaders in their industry during TechAmerica's 52nd annual David Packard Medal of Achievement and Innovator Awards, held Monday in Silicon Valley.
,Four Orange County technology professionals were named leaders in their industry during TechAmerica's 52nd annual David Packard Medal of Achievement and Innovator Awards, held Monday in Silicon Valley.

Ken Stedman of Lake Forest-based M2 Renewables; Heath Clarke of Irvine-based Local.com; Francie Hall of Irvine-based Aspen Medical Products; and Sheldon Razin of Irvine-based Quality Systems were among the eight professionals to garner Innovator Awards.

The honor recognizes individuals across a range of segments for their contribution to the tech industry.

Other innovators include Reid Hoffman of Greylock Partners; Timothy Guertin of Varian Medical Systems; Matthew Flannery of Kiva; and Ray Muslimani of Global Computer Enterprises.

Meanwhile, Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of San Francisco-based salesforce.com, took home the David Packard Medal of Achievement for his lifetime commitment to the high-tech industry.

“TechAmerica is excited to highlight Marc Benioff and the Innovator Awards recipients as they continue to influence technology development throughout the world,” said TechAmerica President and CEO Phil Bond. “We had many nominations for these prestigious awards, and we congratulate the individuals for their winning achievements.”

Here's a breakdown of the local awardees:

• 2010 Innovator Award for Clean Tech/Green Tech/Smart Grid: Ken Stedman, founder and chief technology officer of M2 Renewables Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Internet: Heath Clarke, chairman and CEO of Local.com

• 2010 Innovator Award for Medical Devices: Francie Hall, marketing communications specialist for Aspen Medical Products Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Software: Sheldon Razin, chairman of the board for Quality Systems,Four Orange County technology professionals were named leaders in their industry during TechAmerica's 52nd annual David Packard Medal of Achievement and Innovator Awards, held Monday in Silicon Valley.

Ken Stedman of Lake Forest-based M2 Renewables; Heath Clarke of Irvine-based Local.com; Francie Hall of Irvine-based Aspen Medical Products; and Sheldon Razin of Irvine-based Quality Systems were among the eight professionals to garner Innovator Awards.

The honor recognizes individuals across a range of segments for their contribution to the tech industry.

Other innovators include Reid Hoffman of Greylock Partners; Timothy Guertin of Varian Medical Systems; Matthew Flannery of Kiva; and Ray Muslimani of Global Computer Enterprises.

Meanwhile, Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of San Francisco-based salesforce.com, took home the David Packard Medal of Achievement for his lifetime commitment to the high-tech industry.

“TechAmerica is excited to highlight Marc Benioff and the Innovator Awards recipients as they continue to influence technology development throughout the world,” said TechAmerica President and CEO Phil Bond. “We had many nominations for these prestigious awards, and we congratulate the individuals for their winning achievements.”

Here's a breakdown of the local awardees:

• 2010 Innovator Award for Clean Tech/Green Tech/Smart Grid: Ken Stedman, founder and chief technology officer of M2 Renewables Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Internet: Heath Clarke, chairman and CEO of Local.com

• 2010 Innovator Award for Medical Devices: Francie Hall, marketing communications specialist for Aspen Medical Products Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Software: Sheldon Razin, chairman of the board for Quality Systems,Four Orange County technology professionals were named leaders in their industry during TechAmerica's 52nd annual David Packard Medal of Achievement and Innovator Awards, held Monday in Silicon Valley.
,Four Orange County technology professionals were named leaders in their industry during TechAmerica's 52nd annual David Packard Medal of Achievement and Innovator Awards, held Monday in Silicon Valley.

Ken Stedman of Lake Forest-based M2 Renewables; Heath Clarke of Irvine-based Local.com; Francie Hall of Irvine-based Aspen Medical Products; and Sheldon Razin of Irvine-based Quality Systems were among the eight professionals to garner Innovator Awards.

The honor recognizes individuals across a range of segments for their contribution to the tech industry.

Other innovators include Reid Hoffman of Greylock Partners; Timothy Guertin of Varian Medical Systems; Matthew Flannery of Kiva; and Ray Muslimani of Global Computer Enterprises.

Meanwhile, Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of San Francisco-based salesforce.com, took home the David Packard Medal of Achievement for his lifetime commitment to the high-tech industry.

“TechAmerica is excited to highlight Marc Benioff and the Innovator Awards recipients as they continue to influence technology development throughout the world,” said TechAmerica President and CEO Phil Bond. “We had many nominations for these prestigious awards, and we congratulate the individuals for their winning achievements.”

Here's a breakdown of the local awardees:

• 2010 Innovator Award for Clean Tech/Green Tech/Smart Grid: Ken Stedman, founder and chief technology officer of M2 Renewables Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Internet: Heath Clarke, chairman and CEO of Local.com

• 2010 Innovator Award for Medical Devices: Francie Hall, marketing communications specialist for Aspen Medical Products Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Software: Sheldon Razin, chairman of the board for Quality Systems,Four Orange County technology professionals were named leaders in their industry during TechAmerica's 52nd annual David Packard Medal of Achievement and Innovator Awards, held Monday in Silicon Valley.

Ken Stedman of Lake Forest-based M2 Renewables; Heath Clarke of Irvine-based Local.com; Francie Hall of Irvine-based Aspen Medical Products; and Sheldon Razin of Irvine-based Quality Systems were among the eight professionals to garner Innovator Awards.

The honor recognizes individuals across a range of segments for their contribution to the tech industry.

Other innovators include Reid Hoffman of Greylock Partners; Timothy Guertin of Varian Medical Systems; Matthew Flannery of Kiva; and Ray Muslimani of Global Computer Enterprises.

Meanwhile, Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of San Francisco-based salesforce.com, took home the David Packard Medal of Achievement for his lifetime commitment to the high-tech industry.

“TechAmerica is excited to highlight Marc Benioff and the Innovator Awards recipients as they continue to influence technology development throughout the world,” said TechAmerica President and CEO Phil Bond. “We had many nominations for these prestigious awards, and we congratulate the individuals for their winning achievements.”

Here's a breakdown of the local awardees:

• 2010 Innovator Award for Clean Tech/Green Tech/Smart Grid: Ken Stedman, founder and chief technology officer of M2 Renewables Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Internet: Heath Clarke, chairman and CEO of Local.com

• 2010 Innovator Award for Medical Devices: Francie Hall, marketing communications specialist for Aspen Medical Products Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Software: Sheldon Razin, chairman of the board for Quality Systems,Four Orange County technology professionals were named leaders in their industry during TechAmerica's 52nd annual David Packard Medal of Achievement and Innovator Awards, held Monday in Silicon Valley.
,Four Orange County technology professionals were named leaders in their industry during TechAmerica's 52nd annual David Packard Medal of Achievement and Innovator Awards, held Monday in Silicon Valley.

Ken Stedman of Lake Forest-based M2 Renewables; Heath Clarke of Irvine-based Local.com; Francie Hall of Irvine-based Aspen Medical Products; and Sheldon Razin of Irvine-based Quality Systems were among the eight professionals to garner Innovator Awards.

The honor recognizes individuals across a range of segments for their contribution to the tech industry.

Other innovators include Reid Hoffman of Greylock Partners; Timothy Guertin of Varian Medical Systems; Matthew Flannery of Kiva; and Ray Muslimani of Global Computer Enterprises.

Meanwhile, Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of San Francisco-based salesforce.com, took home the David Packard Medal of Achievement for his lifetime commitment to the high-tech industry.

“TechAmerica is excited to highlight Marc Benioff and the Innovator Awards recipients as they continue to influence technology development throughout the world,” said TechAmerica President and CEO Phil Bond. “We had many nominations for these prestigious awards, and we congratulate the individuals for their winning achievements.”

Here's a breakdown of the local awardees:

• 2010 Innovator Award for Clean Tech/Green Tech/Smart Grid: Ken Stedman, founder and chief technology officer of M2 Renewables Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Internet: Heath Clarke, chairman and CEO of Local.com

• 2010 Innovator Award for Medical Devices: Francie Hall, marketing communications specialist for Aspen Medical Products Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Software: Sheldon Razin, chairman of the board for Quality Systems,Four Orange County technology professionals were named leaders in their industry during TechAmerica's 52nd annual David Packard Medal of Achievement and Innovator Awards, held Monday in Silicon Valley.

Ken Stedman of Lake Forest-based M2 Renewables; Heath Clarke of Irvine-based Local.com; Francie Hall of Irvine-based Aspen Medical Products; and Sheldon Razin of Irvine-based Quality Systems were among the eight professionals to garner Innovator Awards.

The honor recognizes individuals across a range of segments for their contribution to the tech industry.

Other innovators include Reid Hoffman of Greylock Partners; Timothy Guertin of Varian Medical Systems; Matthew Flannery of Kiva; and Ray Muslimani of Global Computer Enterprises.

Meanwhile, Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO of San Francisco-based salesforce.com, took home the David Packard Medal of Achievement for his lifetime commitment to the high-tech industry.

“TechAmerica is excited to highlight Marc Benioff and the Innovator Awards recipients as they continue to influence technology development throughout the world,” said TechAmerica President and CEO Phil Bond. “We had many nominations for these prestigious awards, and we congratulate the individuals for their winning achievements.”

Here's a breakdown of the local awardees:

• 2010 Innovator Award for Clean Tech/Green Tech/Smart Grid: Ken Stedman, founder and chief technology officer of M2 Renewables Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Internet: Heath Clarke, chairman and CEO of Local.com

• 2010 Innovator Award for Medical Devices: Francie Hall, marketing communications specialist for Aspen Medical Products Inc.

• 2010 Innovator Award for Software: Sheldon Razin, chairman of the board for Quality Systems,Four Orange County technology professionals were named leaders in their industry during TechAmerica's 52nd annual David Packard Medal of Achievement and Innovator Awards, held Monday in Silicon Valley.

simplen Grund, wie ich das schon öfter mit meinem Spielgeld gemacht habe: Auch hier sehe ich eine Möglichkeit, sich gegen Manipulationen durchsetzen zu können, was dann enorme Chancen beinhaltet. Wichtig sind dabei zwei Dinge: Erstens hervorragende Fundamentals und eine Finanzierungs aus dem Cash Flow, auch wenn der Verzicht auf Außenfinanzierung logischerweise Wachstumsverluste bedeuten kann, die allerdings bei weitem durch die niedrige Bewertung überkompensiert werden. Das erfordert manchmal einen sehr langen Atem, sodass ich ein solches Engagement nur Investoren empfehlen kann, die genügend Zeit und gute Nerven haben, denn es bringt nichts, wenn man ein solches Investment abbricht. Bei Internet Capital, zu denen ich hier auf diesem Board auch poste, war z.B. beides seit 2002 beides nötig. Damit will ich jetzt nicht sagen, dass man auch bei Local.com acht Jahre ausharren muss (was nicht heißen soll, dass ich mein Engagement bei Internet Capital beende), denn das ist im Gegensatz zu dieser Internetholding mit vielen Einzelwerten eine etwas andere Situation.

Trotzdem muss man einkalkulieren, dass man es da mit einem harten Brocken zu tun hat, denn wer gegen Fundamentals wie die folgenden ankämpft, muss schon ein Schwergewicht sein:

siteanalytics.compete.com/hulu.com+local.com+yelp.com/

Inzwischen glaube ich auch immer weniger, dass es ich hier um einen shorten Hedge-Funds handelt (denn der wäre blöd, wenn er gegen derartige eindeutige Fundamentals kämpft), sondern ich tippe hier eher auf Störmanöver von gut betuchten Wagnisfinanierern, die ihre Milliardenblütenträume in Gefahr sehen. Denn im Gegensatz zu den unter der folgenden Adresse klar in Führung liegenden Local.com mit einer Börsenbewertung von nur unglaublich niedrigen 64 Millionen werden die beiden Konkurrenten mit weniger Visitors und weniger Umsatz als Local.com knapp im Milliardenbereich bzw. im Zwei-Milliarden-Bereich angesiedelt. Da würde ich als Wagnisfinanzierer auch ausflippen, wenn mir dann ein Außenseiter wie Local.com die Butter vom Brot holt - kriminell würde ich aber mit meinem Abwehrmaßnahmen sicher nicht werden, wie das meines Erachtens beim Kampf gegen Local.com z.B. über die Veröffentlichungen TheStreetSweeper (oder so ähnlich) gelaufen ist.

What is the maximum number of results I can get for a query?

Local.com will return all indexed results related to a query. Results are displayed ten per page.

How are the results sorted?

Our algorithm and proprietary Keyword DNA™ determine which businesses are the most relevant to a specific search request. Additionally, you can sort the returned listings alphabetically or by distance.

Is the first result the most relevant one?

The most relevant and geographically local businesses are displayed first.

What are the italicized terms that appear underneath each business listing following the three dots?

The italicized terms are examples of keywords in our proprietary Keyword DNA™ associated with each specific business. These keywords show why a displayed business is considered to be relevant to your search.

Can I set a default location in Local.com?

Yes, simply check the save location checkbox next to the search box. Local.com will remember this location as your default location for all your subsequent visits.

How does Local.com calculate distance?

Local.com calculates the distance from the population center of the zip code of the entered location to the business you are looking for.

Does Local.com work all over the world?

Currently we offer local listings in the United States and the U.K.

What is "SEND TO MOBILE DEVICE"?

This feature allows you to send the search result to your mobile device. Note: Local.com does not charge you to use SEND TO MOBILE DEVICE. However, your wireless provider's standard rates for text messages will apply. Check with your carrier for further information.

Do you offer mobile services?

Yes, see Local Mobile and SMS Local.

Do you sell user information gathered through Local.com?

We do not rent or sell any personal information.

Are there any paying advertisers in the Local.com listing results?

Yes. They are marked as "Sponsor Links" or "Featured Sponsors."

Ich werde meine Local-Position erstmal nicht weiter ausbauen (ist auch schon ordentlich genug). Die neue Webseite sieht zwar gut aus und bietet die Coupon- und Event-Integration, was sehr positiv für die Traffic-Entwicklung sein dürfte.
Was mich jedoch irritiert ist, dass nach wie vor die Filterfunktionen fehlen, die im alten Layout vorhanden waren und auch im neuen Layout auf diesen Screenshots hier zu sehen sind:
corporate.local.com/mk/get/...s-local-premium-business-listing
Sowie hier auch explizit genannt sind:
ir.local.com/...irol-newsArticle&ID=1491214&highlight=
"New and improved search filtering capabilities"
Darüber hinaus gibt es auch noch ein paar kleinere Bugs, die seit dem Relaunch noch nicht behoben sind. Was mir aufgefallen ist, habe ich über die Feedback-Funktion gemeldet.
Ich vermute, dass man das Relaunch sehr schnell aktiv geschaltet hat, um noch das Geschäft zwischen Thanksgiving und Weihnachten voll mitzunehmen. Das wäre zwar gut für den Umsatz, aber es könnte auch den ein oder anderen alten Benutzer irritieren, der die alte Seite oft besucht hat.
Die Trafficzahlen von Quantcast, die gegenüber Compete den Vorteil haben, dass sie fast tagesaktuell sind, deuten auf keine größere Änderung im November hin, eher auf eine leichte Beruhigung, was nach dem Sprung über die letzten 3 Monate auch eher normal wäre:
www.quantcast.com/local.com

Bei Groupon habe ich mir spaßeshalber mal einen Account eingerichtet. Das ist schon clever gemacht, muss ich sagen. Aber mich persönlich spricht das kaum an. Ständig soll ich irgendwas kaufen, was ich nicht brauche, das aber zack zack, weil nur gültig bis so und so viel Uhr. Ob dieses ganze Coupon-Zeugs vielleicht ein Hype ist, der sich bald wieder abschwächt?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupon
"A critical disadvantage of the model is that it is easily copyable. In North America, there have been 200 similar sites that have sprung up with some sites even copying the color, font, and logo. Worldwide, there are over 500 similar sites including over 100 in China."
Und dann 5 Milliarden wert? Gefährlich, gefährlich.