Adding your business to quality online business directories is a vital part of the marketing strategy for any business. This step has many benefits like boosting the ranking in the SERPs, helping gain quality backlinks, and most importantly, helping the business gain visibility among the target customers. It is a cost-effective way for small businesses to gain maximum visibility.

Listing the business in online profile directories is a simple process but you need to be patient and know the details. If you are a new business owner or marketer and are trying to navigate your way through the online profile directories or local citation sites, here are some frequently asked questions about the directories that might give you an idea of what you are getting into.

Frequently Asked Questions About Directories

Different types of online directories categorize businesses according to a specific location, type of business, etc. You will have to spend some time and find the best directories that would be good for your business.

What Information Is Required in a Business Listing?

Often, business directories require basic information about the business to list in the directory. The information will include the business’s name, phone number, address, opening and closing timings, and website address. These are the things that a customer will need to find your business.

Some directories offer the option of entering more information like business photos, videos, customer reviews, and more.

The videos and photos make your listing interactive and help your customers trust your business. So, take the extra time and fill in all the details.

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Also Read: Social Media Profiles vs. Web Directory Profiles 

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Listing My Business in Directories – How Does It Help My Business? 

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, business listings play a major role in the SEO strategy for your business. Here is a short list of the benefits.

• Enhances your online presence
• Improves your local visibility
• Increases your odds of getting discovered
• Helps create brand awareness
• Helps you rank higher in search engines

Which Directories Should I Choose to List My Business?

There are numerous directories present on the internet and it can be quite confusing for business owners. If you are starting from scratch, we suggest you first cover the most popular ones like Google Business Profile, Yelp, Bing, Facebook, and more.

Then, take the time to find the directories that are popular in your location. Also, find the directories that are specific to your niche.

There is a factor called domain authority and the directories with high domain authority are good for your business. Research and choose a mixture of local and global business directories.

What Are the Parameters to Be Checked While Selecting Directories? 

Three main parameters can help you identify useful business directories.

• Domain Rating – Domain rating refers to a score given by Google to a website depending on its backlink profile. It ranges from 0-100. You can check the score of the directories that you have selected using SEO tools like Ahrefs and more. Directories with higher domain ratings are the ones on which you should list your business.
• Category – You need to consider which type of directories are best for your business. There are general directories on which all types of businesses are listed. But there are also niche directories on which businesses of particular sectors are listed. You need to find the popular niche directories that are relevant to your business and then list with them.
• Information – Most directories will only require basic information about your business to create a listing. But with some directories, you get to add more. For example, with LocalBizNetwork you can include videos, podcasts, customer reviews, logos, and more. You even have a custom contact form for lead generation. All these extra details might make the process longer but they can make a huge difference to how your customers view your business. They are the best choices for small business owners who can’t afford a website for their business.

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Also Read: Low-Cost Market Research Tips for Startups - Importance of Market Research 

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Should I Go with Free or Paid Listings?

You can choose both. It is not like you have to choose only one. One thing that decides the answer is the quality of the directory. Some free business directories have a low domain score and this means that the search engines do not find them to be trustworthy. In that case, it would help to avoid these directories.

Some paid directories offer amazing features that could help boost your business’s visibility. Check whether the price is within your budget and then list your business in these directories.

What Are Some Directory Suggestions for Business Owners Who Are Just Starting to List Their Businesses?

• Google Business Profile
• Yelp
• Bing Places
• Better Business Bureau
• Angie’s list
• Foursquare
• Yellow pages.com
• LocalBizNetwork
• ChamberofCommerce.com
• Company.com

These are only some among the many. We have suggested general directories on which any type of business can be listed. Take the time to research other directories which will benefit your business.

Any Tips for Business Owners Who Are Trying to List Their Businesses in the Directories?

Selecting different directories and then listing your business in these directories is a time-consuming process. Here are some tips to keep in mind while doing the job.

• Make sure that the information you enter is accurate. Don’t exaggerate.
• The information should be consistent in all the listings across different directories.
• List your business in one directory at a time.
• Post high-quality photos.
• Regularly update your listings.
• Reply to the reviews on your listings.
• Search on Google and Bing for your business listings. If you find listings of your business that you didn’t create, then claim them. After claiming them, check whether the information in it is accurate, and if it is not, then correct it.

LocalBizNetwork

Our small business directory was started in 1999 to help small business owners with online solutions. Since then, we have been helping small business owners gain credibility and visibility. If you are thinking about listing your business with our directory, then you should know how it will benefit your business. Check out the features offered by LocalBizNetwork listings here.