Local directory listing forms a key online
channel for small and medium-sized businesses with limited geographic reach.
Planned and implemented appropriately, this channel can prove not only to be
the most convenient of all to promote products and services but can also
generate high-quality leads. Whilst other methods, such as Web 2.0 submission,
article submission, blog submission, press release posting, infographic
submission, guest posting and video submission require significant content /
multimedia skills and expertise, manual directory submission to local business
portals is relatively convenient.
Nevertheless, before embarking on planning
and implementing online local listings for your clients, please keep in
mind the following red alerts to
optimise the channel for maximum effect:
1. Keep Away from Low PR Directories
Ensure that high PR directories, including
Google+ Local, Yelp, Yahoo! Local, Bing, Manta and CitySearch are a part of
your target directories. The reason being these listing sites have high Google
PageRank and by submitting business details to such directories can quickly
help your business build credibility and awareness, both from the point of view
of your potential customers and the search engines.
2. Avoid Giving Partial Business Details
When potential customers find your business
on reputed local directories, they expect to get a thorough understanding of
the same. Apart from your business’ name and your logo, they require essential
details, such as products, services, office locations, address, contact
numbers, office hours, e-mail, website URLs, business category, listing title
and post description. Listing posts with incomplete business information turns
off visitors which could have been converted to leads or even customers.
3. Don’t Miss Out on Relevant Keywords
Always populate your directory listing
title and business description with the key phrases most relevant to your
business. Though your details and anchor text that fail to include such phrases
would still help your potential visitors, they will mean little for search
engines. As a result, the larger purpose of including local directory listings
in your online marketing mix, which is to drive relevant regional target
audience to your site, would be defeated. Whilst search engine analytics
programs help you gauge which keywords are in high demand for particular
geographical locations, it is still important to understand the demographics
and psychographics of your target and get in their mind while deciding the
relevant keywords.
4. Spread Out Listings over Larger Timeframe
To see a consistent increment in SEO
rankings, you should avoid posting too many listings in a short period of time.
Compared to the ‘clustered’ approach, you should employ ‘continuity’ approach
and spread business listings evenly across a longer timespan for a steady rise
in online visibility.
So, if you want to get started and build your business presence, eTrack Media can help. Led by a team of SEO & social media experts, creative designers, eTrack Media is an SEO Company in Mumbai, India offering ROI-driven internet marketing solutions and web design services. Whether you want to create brand awareness or drive more sales, we can help.
