Once upon a time, search engines weren’t so great for local businesses. Searches were much broader and people weren’t really looking for a plumber or other local business when they went online.

That’s what the Yellow Pages were for.

Fast forward to now. Telephone books are nearly extinct and the web is just about the first place that people turn to when they’re looking for anything, even their kid’s school’s phone number.

Showing up in local search is more vital than ever. There are many local portals, such as AOL Local or CitySearch, and lots of web-based telephone directories. But as in all forms of search, Google is the giant. Small businessowners need to make sure they show up in the first page of results when someone types a location-based query.

Most people find the results useful and convenient, too.

So what’s the problem?

Well, too many businesses aren’t using all the tools at their disposal when it comes to local search. According to data pulled together in this infographic from MGDadvertising, just 37 percent of businesses have claimed a local business listing on Google or other search engines. Just 81 percent include their phone number with their listing – seems like a high percentage, but that figure should be 99.9 percent for something so simple. Fewer than half have images with their listings or make use of Google Tags.

A scant 5 percent have mobile coupons available with their listings – something one would think would have the potential to draw in lots of new business.

Take a look at the data in the infographic and make sure you’re making the most of local search results for your business.

Hat-tip to Automotive SEO.