SEO tip: list your small business in online directories

by on July 26, 2012

SEO Tip: List your Small Business in Online Directories

Think of it like the search engine optimization speed dating. Give out those digits! The more you get your information out, the more indicators search engines will have.

By listing your small business in online directories, you’ll be creating inbound links which is very good for SEO. Inbound links (a.k.a backlinks) are links that come from an external site to yours. Quality inbound links give higher importance to your website and can help you in your quest to get a higher position in search engine results.

Top online directories

A great way to build quality inbound links is to list your small business in online directories.  It is a reputable (no black hat seo here!) way to drive traffic to your site and pump up your search indicators.  Here are the top five:

Helpful hints

  • Make sure to completely fill in the FULL profile (makes your business look professional and more credible). Don’t forget to include links to social media profiles when you can.
  • Use your keywords when creating the content for your profiles.
  • Use videos and pictures to enhance your profile and show customers what you do.  This will make your listing more interesting and help it to stand out.
  • Do a Google search for what your small business offers and see what directories are listed; maybe there is a special directory related directly to your small biz! Or other directories that are important to your local area. Pay particular attention to the sites that show up on page 1 of search results.

A key part of local search marketing

If you run a local small business, then you’re likely engaged in local seo. Listing your business in directories is also an important part of a local search strategy. You will be giving your address and phone number in your profile, which the search engines will then read as another indicator of your location. Be sure to give full contact information, including zip and postal codes. And many people do actually use local directories to find a product or service – you could just get some new customers along the way!

The bit of time that it takes to sign up for these directories will be well worth the effort.  The basic listing packages are free of charge, so really there’s no excuse to not get listed wherever would be beneficial to your small business.  So get listing and get some search engine love!

Comments, likes and tweets are always appreciated! Did I mention that I LOVE your feedback?

Image source: Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Jayne July 31, 2012 at 4:29 am

Thanks Martina for a great article. I have had great success in using online directories to build backlinks.

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Martina August 1, 2012 at 8:25 am

Thanks for sharing your personal experience Jayne!

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Gina Lofaro aka the wordmistress August 20, 2012 at 11:35 pm

Note to self: ramp up local marketing!

The fact is, I work online which means my clients could be from next door or in the other hemisphere. But where there’s an opportunity for focused marketing, why not take it? Great article, Martina! And remember to pepper the copy with keywords too. Not too many so Google smacks you upside the head; just enough to make it relevant.

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Martina August 21, 2012 at 10:10 am

Hi Gina,
I’m in the same boat as you – I can work with anyone… anywhere! But I still do focus some of my marketing on local, including local search. I find that many people still look for a service provider in their local area and feel a greater connection to someone who works in the same city or geographic region as they do. Plus, you can meet up for coffee and establish a closer personal connection 🙂 Thanks for your comment!

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