Local Directory Sites: Get Listed or lose out!
More and more ordinary people today are using the internet to find local businesses and services. In this article we take a look at how using local directory sites can improve your chances of being found by potential customers in your locality.
What is a local directory site? A local directory site is the online equivalent of a telephone directory such as the phone book, or the Yellow Pages. They allow you to list your business, by category, so that people In your area can find the type of business they are looking for quickly and easily. This service is usually offered free of charge, and many sites allow you to upgrade your listing (for improved visibility) for a small fee.
Even if your website isn’t ranking well in the search engines, the local directory sites usually are. For this reason alone, it’s important to get listed on as many local directory sites as you can. Your listing will act as a link directly to your own website – so you could even get a link to your site on the first page of Google for minimal effort!
How to find local directory sites: The easiest way to find local directory sites in your area that are ranking well in the search engines is to simply run a search for business with a similar description to yours. For example if you run a DIY Store in London, you could go to Goole and type in “DIY stores in London” (without the inverted commas). The search results will show many local directory sites which you should work through, one by one, adding your own listing to each. A free listing on these sites is likely to be very short with just the basic details, so don’t forget to include your website address (URL) so people can check out your site and find out more about what you offer.
In a nutshell, adding your business details to as many local directory sites as possible is an important part of creating an online presence for your business. And best of all, it’s easy to do (if a little tedious and time consuming!). You’ll certainly see the benefits when you start receiving visitors to your website from the directories, or phone calls from prospects saying they found you online!