Daily deal finders are doing well. Brafton has reported that revenues from neighborhood deal companies are on the rise, and businesses should take note that LivingSocial just raised $400 million in funding. This indicates that the growing platform is a viable way to reach consumers – and it speaks to the overall rise of local online marketing..
The New York Times reports that LivingSocial (the second-leading brand in online discounts) has received $400 million from some of its top investors (including Amazon), as well as new ones. The company's chief executive, Tim O'Shaughnessy, told the Times that LivingSocial will use the funds to push local ecommerce.
“This is the year we go and truly help define local commerce,” O'Shaughnessy said.
Many industry analysts expect daily deal finders to help push overall ecommerce rates. Brafton reported just yesterday that eMarketer expects deal sites to help push this quarter's ecommerce to $42 billion.
Marketers might want to get on board and promote their businesses with LivingSocial (and the like). They can also engage local-oriented audiences with regional SEO tactics. Indeed, Brafton has reported that local merchants say search marketing is the most effective online strategy.
