Do you want your customers to find you? Ok, that’s obviously a rhetorical question, but you’d be surprised how many business owners are actually not taking advantage of one of the most helpful SEO tools available – online business directory listings. Business directory listings provide a platform to list your contact information and a little about your business, all while reaching your customers more effectively. Here are some benefits of business listings that you are missing if you aren’t using them.
1. Effective Targeted Advertising
Let’s say that a potential customer searches for “Local Marketing Consultant Jackson MS.” Of course we would want our site to be one of the first sites they find. Yet, if we are not listed in the business directories that pop up on page one of the results, we won’t get much of that traffic. Studies have shown that around 80 percent of customers use directories while searching for a product or company. That traffic is highly targeted, because those are the users who are in the purchasing mindset. If they find a company offering what they need, they are going to make a purchase. Make sure your information is there for them to find.
3. Quality Listings Improve Your Inbound Marketing Efforts
Another benefit of business directory listings is their ability to boost your natural inbound marketing. These directories have links that point back to your website, drawing in traffic and also boosting your marketing efforts. If you choose listings with high Google Page Ranks and high traffic volume, this is going to boost your online visibility and, potentially, your own site’s rank. This increases the chances of getting organic traffic to your site not only through the link on the directory, but also through your own search engine marketing efforts.
3. Accurate Directory Listings Boost Local Search Efforts
If you are running a brick-and-mortar establishment, the most valuable type of traffic you can get online is local traffic. Accurate, consistent online listings with your current name, address, phone number and website will draw that traffic. In other words, being listed in the business directories will boost your local search efforts, helping customers using local search apps and directories find you effectively.
Tips for Maximizing Business Directory Listings
Small business marketing in Jackson, MS requires carefully targeted local search marketing, and business directory listings are part of this. As you start submitting your information to business directories, keep these tips in mind:
- Focus on business directories with a high page rank first.
- Ensure that your information is accurate, and check regularly for any necessary updates.
- Link back to your home page from your business directory listing.
- Utilize all available tags and titles on the page to boost your SEO, using local terms when possible.
- Keep your listing consistent across directories to improve your rank and online visibility.
- Encourage happy customers to leave positive reviews.
Do you have further questions about how to maximize your listings in these directories? Contact us to speak to a local marketing consultant in Jackson, MS. We also have a free online business listing scan tool to help you see what needs to be done for you business.