A local business directory lists vital information about your business including hours, location, and contact information, along with pictures and other relevant information (e.g., reviews or other links). They can be as hyperlocal as a free local directory of Kanpur businesses in Kanpurwaale or as global as Google Business (the largest and most powerful business directory).
Local business directory may also include additional information like business descriptions, hours of operation, customer reviews, ratings, and photos. These listings pop up as organic search results on search engines. Google’s business listings pop up on a map or at the top of search results.
What are the benefits of signing up for local business directories?
Local business directories are one of the best tools for converting the curious into customers. But that’s not all. Other benefits of using local business directories include:
- Building backlinks: Google checks the number and quality of sites that link to yours (backlinks), and uses that to rank your site on their search engine. More and higher quality backlinks can equal a higher rank in organic search results.
- Increase in traffic to your site: The top three local listings receive 60% of all traffic, with number one pulling in half of that traffic. Local business directories, done well, can boost the number of visitors to your site.
- Visibility for your industry: If your business provides a rare but important service, a free local listing can help people find you when advertising just isn’t in the budget.
The best local business directories
Before you get started, make sure your business has a business name or a DBA (“doing business as”) classification. You also need a dedicated business address and a phone number that matches your location (get a free one on Google Voice). Starting with a few directories is a good option. You need not list your business in every directory to see good results – just the few that are best for you.
A local business directory is only as helpful as its online reputation, too.
