Listing your business online can be challenging, especially without knowing how to do it most effectively. With plenty of online sites available, each has its benefits and drawbacks to consider before choosing which one is right for your company.
If you’re a business wanting to strengthen your online presence, here are a few tips so you can get started in the best way possible.
1. Use Search Engine Affiliated Directories
Many search engines have recently integrated business directories into their features. This step makes them a staple part of many online marketing strategies. Most of these offered directories are free, with many proving their ability to help businesses reach new customers and grow.
Thus, for starters, it’s recommended to choose search engines, like Google, that have proven traffic so users can also see your listing. You may even ask for expert support to set up your Google business profile to start with your online business listing.
To help you maximize using these online directories, you may follow these suggestions below.
- Include accurate business contact information, hours of operation, map, and driving directions. You may also include links to your company’s social media accounts.
- Take advantage of the opportunities available through the directory. Some have features that allow you to add photos and videos so you can highlight what makes your business unique.
- Update your business listing regularly. This can help ensure your business is as visible as possible in searches by new and existing customers.
- If you’re unsure how to complete your online listing, read the step-by-step instructions on the site or watch helpful tutorials.
2. Utilize Social Media
As mentioned in the previous section, integrating your social media accounts into your business listings can help build your online presence. Moreover, it’s also possible to get your business listed through social media alone.
When listing your business on these sites, you may want to do the following:
- Similar to search engine-affiliated directories, you should also include the details of your company when listing them on social media sites. These can be your contact number, address, and website link. This information can help customers get in touch with you and learn more about your offered products or services.
- You may also write regular updates about your business and share helpful information with your customers. Regularly posting on social media can help increase your brand favorability, turning your current customers into loyal ones and attracting more prospects to do business with you.
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3. Include Listing on Pure Play Local Business Directories
Aside from social media sites and search engine-affiliated directories, another online listing option is called pure-play local business directories. This type of listing is usually free or very low-cost.
Using this kind of directory can contribute to the achievement of localism, a concept aimed at the building of sustainable and healthy local economies. This is made possible since these directories are generally dedicated to businesses in a specific geographic area. They can help reach customers that are a few kilometers away from you but might not have seen you on search engine results pages.
To maximize the benefits of this business listing, follow the same steps as other online listings. These include:
- Create your profile on a directory with detailed information about your company. Ensure that it links back to web pages that offer more details.
- Choose keywords relevant to what you do. This step can help other users find you more quickly when searching in the directory.
- Provide clear contact information so people know how to contact you if they’re interested in doing business with you.
4. Make Your Website Stand Out
Most online business listings on social media sites, pure-play local businesses, and search engine-affiliated directories aim to lead users to their websites. Therefore, you wouldn’t want your prospective customers to be excited only to be greeted and disappointed by an outdated and non-responsive website.
To avoid this, it’s best to ensure your site is always prepared to receive and accommodate visitors. That way, whenever a prospective client clicks your link, they’ll have a smooth experience exploring your website.
Here are some ways to boost your website design:
- Your website should be easy to navigate and load quickly. You can also optimize it by using descriptive keywords on specific pages on your site, like the home page. This technique can help make sure visitors find the right product pages quickly.
In addition, in this age of smartphones and gadgets, it’s highly recommended to make your business website mobile-friendly. Doing so can go a long way in boosting the experience of consumers who may be viewing your business listing and website using their mobile phones.
- Just like with social media sites, it can also be helpful to have informative business blogs or articles, infographics, videos, and other multimedia content for your visitors. You may also want to include content-sharing tools so people can easily connect and engage with you.
- Including a clear map of how customers can find your business can also make a big difference. If you need to be in touch with customers but don’t have physical hours of operation, providing a phone number can make them feel like you’re around when they need help. To take it up further, you can utilize customer relation management (CRM) tools such as chatbots for better customer support and service.
- Aside from listing down your products or services, highlighting their benefits can also make your website stand out. To do this, you could develop a list of qualities that would differentiate your product or service from others. Then think about how each potential customer would benefit.
5. Update Information on a Timely Basis
By updating your business information regularly, you can show potential and current customers that you’re active and invested in your online presence. Suppose you’re wondering which areas of your business listings need regular updates. To help you start, here are some of them:
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Your company profile
Updating your profile on various platforms is one of the easiest ways to maintain your business information. You’ll want to update your contact details, including phone number, email address, and website address. If you moved locations or got a new phone number, make sure those changes are reflected on both the company website and the website where you listed your business.
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New products and services
If you have new products or services available, let your customers know by providing engaging photos or videos and detailed descriptions on your site and linking to related pages when possible. Another good idea you can explore is to create an RSS feed so readers can subscribe and stay informed of new additions without visiting the site themselves.
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Upcoming events
If you’re hosting upcoming events, share them with your audience ahead of time so they can mark their calendars. After all, your online presence requires consistent effort. Thus, keeping track of important dates and upcoming holidays on your calendar and publishing articles accordingly before these dates can be helpful.
6. Ask for Positive Reviews
Consumers today base many of their purchasing decisions on customer reviews or feedback they read online. And as such, if you have an online listing without positive reviews, you may be missing out on a critical opportunity to sell your products and services effectively.
Here are a few insights on how you can encourage and ask for positive reviews from your previous clients:
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Include links where they can add a review
The first step is to let people know you want them to leave a review. You can include links at the bottom of an email or as part of the payment process. You may also consider sending your customers a link to a page on your website where they can review you online. This can give them easy access to writing a review instead of returning to their email inbox when they want to reach out for other reasons.
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Ask them directly
If someone has had an excellent experience with your company, consider asking them directly about giving you a positive review. Send them an email mentioning that you’d love it if they would leave a review on your business listing page.
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Use a template
If you aren’t sure how to format your email, consider using a template from a review site. This can help make the process of asking for reviews easier.
Boost your online presence and reputation by effectively listing your business online!
7. Use Images Purposefully
Visuals are powerful. Thus, adding images or videos to your business listing can help customers understand your business better and what you’re offering. Plus, such visuals can help your listing stand out from the rest.
There are many types of images you’ll need for your business listing. These images include logos, cover and business photos, and even videos. To effectively use them, here are some tips you can follow.
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Use photos from your own business
All images included in your listing should be of your business. Therefore, generic stock photos and other generic images are not allowed. If you don’t have any photos of your business, consider hiring a professional photographer to take some pictures.
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Avoid heavily edited pictures
While working with a professional photographer can help, pictures with filters or those that are heavily edited may not be ideal as they can easily be misleading. With that, choose an image that can help build your brand and credibility and stick to it.
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Read guidelines provided by online directories
Different directories may have different rules for posting images. These can cover size, resolution, or the type of photos. Thus, make sure that you read their guidelines before submitting your listing to ensure that it meets their standards.
Closing Thoughts About Effectively Listing Your Business Online
Listing your business online can help boost your business’s digital visibility and success. And to truly maximize its benefits, it’s essential to ensure you’re doing it right.
With that, start by looking for online sites that can be used as directories. Next, include essential company contact information, website address, and social media accounts. You can also take advantage of opportunities for pictures or videos showcasing your company’s unique features or aspects. Moreover, optimize your website and social media profiles to reach and engage with a larger audience.
And finally, use testimonials or quotes from satisfied customers about how great their experience was with your company. These are just some ways to help you list your business online effectively.
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