It wasn't too long ago that businesses would place adverts for their services in the local papers and directories, but this is a tradition that is all but dead.As most people look online when they are in need of new products or services, it makes sense to focus business advertising on the internet.The market has changed a lot over recent years when it comes to internet advertising, and what was once a level playing field for small and big businesses, isn't so equal as it used to be.As in other areas of commerce, larger businesses have access to a range of benefits that elude smaller players all because of their increased spending power, they can pick and choose what key phrases they want to have and they can price everyone else out of the market.This can mean that smaller businesses are losing out yet again, but it is actually possible to benefit from free advertising online, so you don’t have to just accept this as the status quo.

One way that a business can get themselves found on search engines is to employ the help of search engine optimisation (SEO) services and it is very easy to find many companies who claim they can help as the sector has experienced massive growth.However, it isn't easy to tell whether the service is going to deliver the results that you would expect it to before you get tied into a costly contract, and many companies come to regret their decision to use SEO.You need to research all of your options thoroughly if you don't want to be taken for an expensive ride.

It was clear that something had to change and this came in the shape of Local Link Up in 2009, a new kind of SEO company set up and run by two industry experts, Mark Hallam and Stuart Forrest.Local Link Up will allow any business to advertise for free, and unlike many other free services, your company isn't put into a directory next to the competition, but given a dedicated domain name and a personalised online presence.On top of their totally free advertising packages, Local Link Up offers a truly unique pay per rank service where customers are charged a small fee to guarantee themselves a place on the first page of Google for a number of key phrases associated with their business.Knowing that you only have to pay if your site ranks on the first page means that you can always be 100% sure that you aren't being taken for a ride by a company who is only interested in their own profits.Each site is regularly monitored and a report is created at the end of each month which will tell customers how they are doing, if the site isn't performing, customers will still advertise free of charge.At any time they are able to switch back to free advertising if they wish to, retaining the website at a no charge.

A free advertising package can add real value to your business by attracting new customers, but even if you see no gain then you don't have to worry about as you've not wasted any of your well earned money.And the pay per rank service is the only risk free way that you can get yourself onto page one of Google, because if you don't rank then that month is completely free of charge so you should check it out.You really have nothing to lose, but a whole lot to gain.

If you are looking for free advertising, look to Local Link Up.