Business Directories: How to Avoid Potential Pitfalls

An online business directory is a great way to find the right business to work with no matter what industry you're in. In this article, we'll explore what it is, why you need one, potential pitfalls, and how business directories can impact your company.

What is a Business Listing Directory?

What are online business directories? Can they help your website rank better in search engines?

An online business directory is a website that contains listings for companies and businesses. These listings can be categorized by location or other factors which makes them easier to search through. Directories are good for finding out about companies because you can find out valuable information such as where the company is located, how to contact them, and what products and services they provide.

Search engines like Google put a lot of value on links from online directories. When people search for places near them, the search engine takes into account the number of other sites that link to each place and ranks it according to how many there are. So when people create listings for their business, they are voting that this business is relevant to their search query.

Why Your Local Business Listings Need to be Accurate

One of the most important things to consider when using business directories is whether or not your listings are accurate. Incorrect business data can lead people to believe that your company offers services you don't actually offer and/or contact you about projects or contracts that aren't relevant to what you do at all. 

In any industry,  incorrect data in business directory listings can be harmful because it gives the wrong impression of what your company does and how they operate which could ultimately lead customers to find new businesses for their needs.

Possible Pitfalls When Using Business Directories

The only way to prevent incorrect information about your company from appearing in a local business directory is by checking your online presence regularly. When you register on a site, make sure the information is the same on every listing.

An often overlooked example of how business owners unknowingly list inaccurate information about their business: 123 Union Boulevard vs. 123 Union Blvd. Or, (123) 456-7890 vs. 123.145.7890. 

These are examples of different instances of how to write addresses and phone numbers; however, if you spell out boulevard then be sure to mimic writing your address in this way across the web.

4 Types of Online Business Listings

There are four main types of directories. Each type targets a different kind of consumer. Here we will discuss what they are and who they help:

• social media
• search engines
• review sites
• niche-specific directories

Social Media Business Listings

Everyone is looking for tips that will benefit their business, whether they are new to the game or an old pro.

Some people use social media for their business. They find friends and followers on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Social media business listings are when a company's data is found on different social networks.

This means when people search online, they find your company. That is why it is important to keep a strong presence on these sites. It's also good to watch what people say about your company so you can fix any issues.

When you use a social media account for your business, you need to keep 3 things in mind. These are: 1) Share fresh content 2) Figure out which websites work best for you and 3) Make sure your information is accurate.

Search Engine Directories: Google My Business

Google My Business and Bing Business Listing are free services offered by search engines Google and Bing to help businesses better manage their online presence across the web.

Search engine listings are created with information that's publicly available on various social media sites, but it takes work to get your information into these listings.

You can update your company's information in one place. This way, when people search for your company or products, they will be able to find what they need. You will also gain valuable insights about  how many people visit your website from different sources so that you can improve your SEO or Search Engine Optimization.

There are a few steps in using Google My Business, but they're easy to follow and the benefits of using it make it well worth the effort. 

First, you need to create a free Google account if you don't already have one. Then, sign in with your new Google account and add a business listing for your company. 

It's important that when you fill out this form, you use accurate information about your company so that when people search for you online they will find the correct information listed on all of your accounts across social media platforms, websites, and more.

Using GMB to Push Business Data to Other Listings

There is no room for misinformation or misspellings in any listings - another benefit of using Google My Business is that it ensures that no matter what information you list for your Google My Business account, it will carry over to any other listings where the same business name is used.

If you already have Google My Business, but do not have a website - make sure that you set one up. It will help people know who you are and what you do. It also helps customers find your business when they search for things like your products or services.

Review Site Business Directories

The most important part of your online reputation management (ORM) strategy is to make sure that you are listed in top business directories. These may include SuperPages, Yelp, Foursquare, etc.

Review sites act as third-party endorsers for local businesses. They can help attract new customers to your business listing by putting it on the map and getting the ball rolling for positive reviews.  

This is why it's essential that you get all your business listings up and running fast on the best review sites. Here are some examples of popular review sites for business directories:

• SuperPages
• Yelp 
• Foursquare

Small businesses need to use websites that are specific to their type of business. But many people don't know what this is or why they should do it. It's not always true that no one visits these websites. There are many reasons you should use niche directories for your local business citations!

Benefits of Using Niche Online Business Directories

Here are just a few of the most important benefits that come from using niche online business directories:

Helping Customers Find You Easier 

When people search on Google, they find more than one company that might have the same name. This is not a good thing. But if you use a business directory, it will only list your information once. That means people won't call your competitor's phone number by mistake.

Enhancing Your Visibility on Search Engines

If you do not have citations, Google cannot find your business or tell what it is. This makes it harder for them to show your content in searches. But if you list on niche online directories, Google can learn about who you are sooner!

Building Trust with Potential Customers 

Over time, customers will start to recognize that they can rely on certain businesses. You can tell your customers by putting your name and information in niche business directories so they'll see it regularly.

Creating Valuable Links 

Using niche business directories is a good way to get links. Links help with Google SEO. Plus, if someone finds your link from searching for keywords related to what you offer, it helps show Google that there's a lot of interest in your content and could improve its visibility.

Top 10 Review Websites

Here is a list of the top 10 review websites listed in order by its Alexa ranking:

1. Google My Business: GMB has an Alexa rank of 1 and is good for any business.
2. Facebook: Fb has an Alexa rank of 3 and is good for any business.
3. Amazon: AMZ has an Alexa rank of 4 and is good for e-commerce businesses.
4. Yelp: Yelp has a U.S. Alexa Rank of 52 and is good for any business.
5. Trip Advisor: Tripadvisor has a U.S. Alexa ranking of 88 and is good for businesses related to food and travel.
6. Yellow Pages: The Yellow Pages has a U.S. Alexa rank of 402 and is good for any business.
7. BBB: The Better Business Bureau has an Alexa rank of 824 and is good for any business.
8. Manta: Manta has a U.S. Alexa rank of 1002 and is good for any business.
9. Angies List: Angies list has a U.S. Alexa rank of 1150 and is good for service related businesses.
10. FourSquare: Foursquare has a U.S. Alexa rank of 1561 and is good for any business but mostly for restaurants. 

Conclusion

This article has given you a number of benefits that come from using online business directories. Imagine how your visibility could increase, the trust customers put in you and the potential backlinks created by using these types of websites for citations. If this sounds like something worth exploring more deeply, contact our team today to find out all the ways we can help or visit our business listings solutions to learn more!