Dropping the charge for local news

Businesses attempting to boost their search engine optimisation by including local news content on their website are risking losing their customers to competitors if they charge their site visitors to see it, one sector commentator has claimed.

The comments come as Johnston Press, one of the three largest local newspaper publishers in the UK, this week initiated a small-scale trial for paid content in a few of its weekly publications.

The trial will last for three months, during which time Johnston Press hopes to gain important insight into its consumers' preferences, enabling it to better understand the relationship between its print and online products.

However, Ben Camm-Jones, news editor at Web User, said he would be surprised if the trial proved successful.

"Johnston Press is effectively driving its audience directly into the hands of its competitors," he added.

Mr Camm-Jones noted that most internet surfers were likely to instead turn to the BBC's local news site because of its "reach".

Contact home james for expert Search Engine optimisation services.