What’s so Important about an Online Business Directory Listing?

Online Business Directory Listing.

One way that your local business can be found online is by including it in online business directories. Places like Google My Business, Yelp, CitySearch and Merchant Circle spend a lot of money to show up in searches so when you post your business on these directories with the right categories, you can leverage the power d those directories, often at NO cost to you.

Here are 7 Benefits to Online Business Directory Listings:

1 – They amplify your online presence

Almost everyone and their grandma use the Internet to search for businesses. I’m sure you are no different. Having a business directory listing (even just a few) will benefit you in a few ways. There are business directories out there that will pull from larger directories and automatically create a listing for your company.   Always be sure that if you come across a directory for your business that you didn’t set up that you claim it and verify the information provided.

2 – Visibility in the local market will improve

There are a ton of online business directories out there. They are all designed to help you connect with customers and create credibility for you as a business owner. Directories benefit you locally by making you visible on a local scale. The technology of search engines is increasing and with location monitoring enabling the search engines to locate a business close to you and within your search criteria makes accurate online business directory listings very important to gain that local business.

3 – Your discovery rate will increase

Online business directory listings allow users to search using specific criteria, such as service, location, and category. By simply entering complete and accurate information in your listing, the directory will then connect your business to the people searching for it, even if they don’t search your business name explicitly. This is highly beneficial because oftentimes, people don’t know to search a specific business name or the specific service they need.

4 – Reputation

I’m sure your wondering why Reviews would be a benefit in your online business directory listing. Well its simple, with all the connectivity they directories have why wouldn’t reviews be one of them? Customers that happen upon your directory will have access to reviews from customers that have interacted with your business. Reviews are a huge part of any business and shouldn’t be neglected on your business directory listings. Customers, past and present are always watching and learning about you.

5 – Brand awareness

When a customer searches in an online business directory, the directory will display a list of relevant results based off the customers search. Each result will display a brief snapshot of that company/service so that you can make the decision of which one to click and learn more about. What’s important is that even if a user doesn’t click on your listing, they still see your business. Every encounter or touchpoints a person has with your business increases their awareness and familiarity with your brand, which warms them up for further engagement.

6 – Organic SEO

Search engine optimization is a way for the Internet and customers to “read” you, so to speak. There are algorithms that change daily that scan businesses directory listing, website, blogs and social pages and rank you, without you even knowing it. The job of a search engine is to be trusted by its users, so the more information it can obtain about your website, directory listing, social pages etc. and the more consistent that information is, the better you will rank. Online business listings are a great way to support and supplement your already existing information to give it that extra validation.

7 – Be present on the King

If you want to show up anywhere on the Internet, show up on Google. They are the undisputed king of the internet. If you have a business you need a Google My Business. Not sure if you have one? Google your business, if your information doesn’t populate to on the right hand side of the search results screen, you do not have a Google My Business and your business is suffering without it.

Shameless plug

BT Web Group offers Online Directory Listing Setup, give us a call if you need guidance. We are more than happy to help you succeed and grow your online presence. The more you can be visible the more chance someone will find you when they are looking for the service you provide.

Written By

Mary Beth Evans – Chief Operating Officer

Contact BT Web Group for all your Digital Marketing and Web Design needs. We’re located in Lexington, KY

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