<p>With consumers leveraging a broader array of online and offline media when searching for local business information and increasingly relying on smartphones and tablets to conduct searches local businesses need to expand and refine their advertising approach in order to remain competitive, according to new research released today by the Local Search Association.Broader Array Of Local Media Offerings</p><p>LSA's annual "Local Media Tracking Study," conducted by Burke, Inc., measured the reach of various local media sources among U.S. adults throughout 2012. The results showed strong consumer usage of a variety of online and offline media for finding local business information, including new sources such as Daily Deals and Ratings &amp; Review Sites.</p><p>The top three media sources that study respondents said they referenced in the past month and over the past year when searching for local business information included: search engines; print and Internet Yellow Pages; and store circulars, email promotions or coupons. Newer local media options like Daily Deals, Internet Social Networks, and Ratings &amp; Reviews Sites show notable, but smaller past-month and past-year reach.</p><p>As the number of online and offline local media increases, each platform continues to attract a sizable consumer audience. The study suggests local businesses should strive for an integrated, wide-ranging presence across media in order to reach their target consumers wherever they search.Local Mobile Search Is On the Rise</p><p><a href="http://searchengineland.com/local-businesses-need-to-expand-refine-advertising-approach-165354">Keep reading...</a></p>