Online business directories are becoming the information hub of local customers searching for local businesses. Local customers are throwing their old, brittle print directories to the storage bin and turning to their computer and smartphone to locate the best local business in town that feeds to their needs. Epage Qatar is now becoming one of the most successful business directory in Qatar.
A survey in the United States shows that approximately 20 million local customers each month are turning to online business directories to find local products, services, or businesses. The behavior of local consumers is changing. It is clear that print directories are no longer working for local consumers; they’re switching to an online business directory for the faster, better, and detailed search result. The limited information on a yellow page is becoming obsolete against the more detailed local search engine marketing tools like local business directories. These directories can list not only the description of your business but also your business’s opening hours, price listings, location map, and even your photo or your office or store photo.
Online business directories, including the hundreds of free business directories, permit these extra details to be added to your business directory listing. It’s the local businesses who make the most of this chance that are inviting new customers.
There are hundreds of paid and free online business directories out there. But how do you know which ones are the best and what’s the key to perfecting your listing so that you stand out from your rival businesses without having to throw some decent amount of money?
5 Quick Steps to make your online business directory listing perfect
- Find the most popular and relevant directories for your business
The best online directories have the most number of online visitors or those that are industry-specific. But a word to keep in mind that not all niche or free directory listing fit the bill; some have very few to the nonexistent user base. A quick search on Google will tell you which ones are worth your time and which ones aren’t. Search on Google your “business type” plus “your location”: e.g., “translator in qatar”. Local business directories that appear on the first three search results pages are the ones to focus on.
- Add your business to all directories
The list you got on step one, add or claim your business to all of them. Many local business directories buy their listing data from a provider, so don’t be surprised if you find your business listed on some of them already. For future success, it’s pretty essential to list the correct name of your business, address, and phone number-try to review your business’ existing list if the information is accurate.
Note: You will receive a confirmation email from each directory in your inbox; follow the steps on the confirmation email to complete your registration.
- List as much information as possible on your local business directory listing
The beauty of online business directory listings is that you can list not only the name, address, and phone number of your business but also you can enrich your listing with more details like business description, clickable website URL, facilities, list of services, logos, opening hours, pictures, etc. Use this opportunity fully to personalize your listing more relatable to your customers. Review the information you provided to ensure its 100% correct and accurate to every local directory.
- Give a Local Special Offer
Nothing can be faster to convert browsers into actual buyers than offering promos or coupons on your local business directory listing. Local consumers, most of the time, pay attention to the word “free” or “special offer”; your business listing will stand out against your competitors if you have these words added. You don’t have to offer a moon to your customers; any form of offer is good enough to get customers to walk into the door than nothing at all. So, always keep that in mind.
Tip: Use different offers and promos on each directory so that you can monitor which directories are giving you the most number of visits.
- Interact with the Communities on these Directory Websites
Online directory websites are dynamic websites with a vibrant, active community of users. These users or local customers are actively rating and reviewing the listed local businesses they use, and these ratings and reviews are visible to other directory users too. 72% of consumers trust online business reviews. Business directory website owners know this, and that’s why they’re pushing up local businesses with positive reviews higher on search results. This is another small business marketing strategy you can use. Do any of these to rank your business listing:
Ask your existing, loyal customers to go online and leave a positive review about your business;
Participate with communities on directory websites and encourage them to visit and test your business. Or you can organize an ‘event’ at your office, shop, or store just for them.
Never try to ‘push’ people to review your business, though, as this can backfire on you and can generate lots of negative comments which you don’t want to (obviously!).
