LOCAL DIRECTORY LISTINGS: WHY THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT TO YOUR BUSINESS
In today’s local seo landscape, keeping an updated, accurate, and consistent local directory listing for your business is a must. If you are not sure what local directory listings are, then please continue reading. I will share with you what local directory listings are, where you should claim them, and why they are so important to your business’ web presence.
What are local directory listings?
Local directory listings are online informational sources that contain basic information about businesses, such as their business name, phone number, address, hours of operation, photos, and sometimes reviews or ratings. Many local listings, like Google+Local and Bing Local are factored into search results in organic and maps searches.
Is local directory listing a must for your business?
The answer to that questions is an emphatic YES! Your accurate and updated local listing plays an integral role in local seo. Search engines like Google and Bing populates these sites at the top of their organic search results when a user is searching with a local intent. But if you haven’t claimed your local directory listing, then there is a good chance that it has inaccurate or missing information about your business. This signals to search engines that they all belong to your business, which can increase the visibility of your listings (and your website) in the search results.
What’s even more important, many local consumers use search engines like Google and Bing, as well as Yelp directly on their phone, tablet, and PCs to find local businesses in their area. No matter how consumers are finding your listings, you need to make sure they provide the most accurate, compelling information possible to turn those searchers into leads.
Where should you list your business?
The first thing you should do is do a quick search on Google using your business name. Visit each local directory listing to claim and update your business information such as your business name, phone number, address, hours of operation, and photos. Your business should always have accurate, complete listings on key sites like Google, Bing, Yahoo!, and Yelp. But, those aren’t the only sites you should be on; your business should be listed on many general and industry-specific sites across the web.
To determine the top sites for your business, you can conduct a search for your service offerings to see other local directories that Google is displaying in the top 30 search results. Visit each one to claim or add your local business information.
However, this approach can only show you a portion of the local directories you may want your business listing on. And, once your listings are claimed, you’ll need to review and maintain them regularly to ensure they always contain the latest information about your business.
Read more at http://netjumps.com/local-directory-listings-why-they-are-so-important-to-your-business/
Read more at http://netjumps.com/local-directory-listings-why-they-are-so-important-to-your-business/
