A recent press release from AT&T (Yellow Pages) revealed some interesting information for local businesses, the Local Advertising Journal reported last December 18. Here are some interesting statistics from the survey they conducted using 1,000 small businesses across the U.S.:

* twice as many small businesses use the Yellow Pages as opposed to other forms of local advertising.

*Of the 1,000 businesses (with under 25 employees) surveyed, only 23% are involved in online advertising, though 53% plan to purchase online ads in the next few years. That means that the competition level for local businesses online is still fairly low.

*Two thirds of small businesses, according to the study, have websites, but a surprising number of them only rely on search engine marketing to bring them traffic.

*the Yellow Pages 2007 Facts and Media Guide, an annual research publication of the Yellow Pages Publishers Association, indicates that 88% of U.S. adults refer to the Yellow Pages (hard copy), while the online version is rapidly picking up as more and more people become used to searching online.

*Though search engines are still high on the list, the Yellow Pages are still very popular with local businesses and consumers alike.