When building your marketing strategy, one area you need to focus on is your online presence. From your website to social media, you need to show up. One area you may not have considered is online directory listings. The value of directory listings cannot be underestimated, and here’s why.
What are Directory Listings?
We need to first begin with defining them. Online directory listings display your business information. Every directory is different, but they contain vital information that will help future clients find your business. These directories include those by Google, Yelp, Yellow Pages, and White Pages.
Trust
Directories are heavily moderated, and many visitors trust them. Google relies heavily on directories when people search for a business because of this reliability. Google knows which directories have an open door and are subject to false information and those with “gatekeepers” who make sure the submitted information is correct. Google penalizes the open-door directories in search results. So keep your information up to date and correct.
Improve Your SEO
Because of what we mentioned above, a reliable and well-maintained directory listing will help improve your SEO. Business directories typically list your website address. These web addresses serve as authoritative backlinks to your website.
Increase Your Reputation
The internet provides a valuable resource for businesses, both large and small, to get discovered. Many buyers are savvy enough to use the internet to search for products and services they are looking for. Directory listings commonly appear at the top of a search. This is why you want one and why you want it to be accurate and kept up to date. Appearing in directories shows your business is serious and legitimate. Additionally, many directory listings include reviews, which can further increase your reputation.
Improve Local Visibility
Some think directory listings are only valuable to national level businesses. Local directories are a natural pipeline for local clients. Local directories also give you a leg up on local SEO. The goal here is to increase your visibility to a specific geographic location. This can be extremely important if you are limited to being licensed to operate in specific states.
Conclusion
The value of directories cannot be ignored. The more visible your organization, the more likely potential clients will find you and want to do business with you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to have your business listed or claim your existing listing. Directory listings are just another arrow in your quiver to marketing success!
