CHELTENHAM, Pa., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- As the economy continues to worsen, small-to-medium size business owners can only expect profits to decrease. But what if they could build their customer base through a new type of online presence and effectively market and compete against large box stores that have "big bucks" to spend on Local advertising?

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080204/NEM002LOGO )

This is the concept behind The Local Index, a new online community that recently launched in Philadelphia and is heading to cities nationwide. By offering local businesses a free online presence where they can market their products and services online, it hopes to level the playing field for small- to-medium size businesses so they can attract more local consumers.

"Who wouldn't rather support a local business instead of a nameless corporation that doesn't invest in the local economy," said The Local Index CEO and Founder Wesly Michel. "If you knew what sneakers the sporting goods store down the street was selling and how much they cost, wouldn't you rather go there than drive further to a big box store?"

Research supports the fact that people do want to shop locally. Recent studies show that 70 percent of Internet shoppers search for local stores before making online purchases.

It also makes sense to shop locally, especially during bad economic times, because three times more money stays in the local economy when you buy goods and services from locally owned businesses instead of large chain stores, according to the Local Institute for Self Reliance.

The Local Index helps market business owners by creating attractive and informative Web sites without costing them a dime, or having to do the work them selves, giving them a higher chance for success. Business owners sign up to be a part of The Local Index in their city and provide whatever information they want to place on the new online local marketplace. Consumers log onto the site and search for businesses by name, location, products or services sold. The Local Index expects this will result in an equal playing field for small- to-medium size businesses and a boost to the local economy.

The Local Index is also extending their services to other cities including: Atlanta, Orlando, Seattle, Chicago, Washington D.C., New York, Miami, Houston, Pittsburgh and Detroit.

CONTACT: Alison Dickman for The Local Index, +1-215-884-6499,
alison@comsolutionsgroup.com

Web site: http://www.thelocalindex.com/