Why does my business need to be listed on directories?

If your business has a website, it is important not to see yourself as a stand-alone island with no links to other shores. If you want your island to be successful it needs to have connections with other islands that are well connected too.

In other words, having your website is just one of the steps of having a good online presence. However, it is imperative to take the time to list your business on other online directories too; so that they not only promote your services, but also add authority that you’re a current and valid business to approach.

When creating your listing on directories, like Thomson; on websites like NetMums, or on social media platforms like Facebook, you should include as much information about your business as possible. This includes giving obvious information such as your name, address and phone number (NAP).

Google My Business has made many changes to their features (read our article: What's new with Google My Business?). All businesses should list their information on it as a starting point in creating citations.

Why is it worth taking the time to cite your business on directories?
It allows you to be found by a greater number of customers through search engines like Google.  The more directories your business is cited on, the better chance you will have for your business to rank highly in organic search.
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With the majority of users turning to their mobile device to look for products, information and services, online directories help facilitate being found at any time, from anywhere. Do you want to miss out on potential business because you didn’t take the time to invest in this digital strategy?
Each directory company will offer different features, but this is what you may be asked to provide:

• Business Name, Address, Phone Number
• Description of the business products / services
• Opening hours
• Media relating to the business (photos or videos)
• Methods of payment accepted
• Reviews/Ratings
• Links to the company website and social media platforms
• Blogs

Listing a business on a directory is not difficult, but it can be time consuming. If you choose to give it a go yourself, make sure you do the job properly. If you don’t, it could affect your income, online rankings as well as your reputation.

Follow these tips to ensure that search engines, like Google, view you as a business that’s real and trustworthy and ultimately worth ranking:

• Be accurate with what you write. Your NAP should be consistent across all directories
• List your business once per directory
• Keep track of where your business is cited. If what your business offers changes (hours, phone number etc), then this will need to be reflected on your citations
• If reviews or complaints are written, have a strategy of how you’ll be alerted to this.  Good customer practice is to follow up on all comments and actively engage with people

Remember, citations that are accurate will help your business get noticed. So what are you waiting for?

If you don’t have the time, or the inclination, to do this, the team at Perfect Layout can help you. Fill in your details below and we’ll get in touch to find out more about your business.

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