If you own a local business and want to increase your online visibility, you should consider creating an online business listing. These directories are free to use and can boost your SEO.
Whether you’re a plumber, hair salon, contractor, restaurant or any other local business, it’s important to list your business on these online directories. These sites allow people to find your business quickly.
Google My Business
Google My Business (GMB) is a free way to manage your business listing online. Besides promoting your business, it also provides insights into how customers find you. This includes how many people viewed your listing, search queries and directions requests from your location.
Creating an online business listing is easy and quick. Start by clicking on “Add your business” and selecting a category that represents your business.
Physical stores, such as clothing, hair salons or restaurants, are most likely to qualify for GMB. However, service providers like carpenters, plumbers and gardeners can also create a GMB profile.
Once your GMB account is created, it’s important to keep your information up to date. Posting photos, sales, events, and other updates will help you reach your consumers in search results and can even impact your ranking for certain keywords. Review responses are also important because 30 percent of customers say they rely on reviews when choosing a business.
Yelp
If you have a business, you’ll want to create an online business listing on Yelp. It’s free to do so, and it can boost your brand’s visibility and help you connect with potential customers.
However, you should be aware of some limitations. For one, a business’s listing will be automatically removed if they dispute any reviews and fail to prove that their claims are valid.
This is especially true if they have a lot of negative reviews and don’t have enough positive ones to offset them. The result is that their profile can look like a “fake” business and potential customers may not take it seriously.
Also, businesses may find their page inundated with spam and scams. Fortunately, Yelp has a system for blocking and reporting these types of listings.
Bing Business Listings
Bing Business Listings is an online business listing that can be used to get your business noticed by more customers. It can be updated with various information, including an address, category, contact information and working hours.
There are also photos available for showcasing your products and staff members. These can be uploaded up to 100 different times, making it a great way to update your listing.
The next step is to verify your business. This can be done through email, phone or text message.
This process can take a few days to happen, but it’s a quick and easy way to get your business verified.
After verifying your business, you can update the basic information in your listing, like your address, category and contact details. You can also change your business hours and upload photos.
Social Media
Social media is an online communication platform where users can share information about themselves, their businesses, organizations, brands, events, interests and much more. They can post photos, videos, links, comments, messages and other forms of multimedia.
These platforms are often used to communicate with friends and family, but many are also utilized for professional networking and career advancement. They have become an essential tool for businesses as well, allowing them to engage with customers, get feedback and promote their brand.
A key component of any business’s social media strategy is monitoring the channels and responding to customer concerns quickly. Not only can this help build strong relationships with recurring customers, but it can also increase sales.
Some of the most popular social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Each has its own set of pros and cons, so choose one that best suits your needs. However, keep in mind that there is risk involved with using these sites.