You understand the significance of having a strong online presence if you're a business owner. Creating business listings on various websites and directories is one way to improve your online presence. These listings, which act as a beacon for potential customers, can significantly impact how easily your business can be found. Furthermore, it can help increase customer engagement and trust, like having a team of loyal sidekicks. In this post, we'll go over the significance of local business listings and how they can help your company.
When you create a listing for your business on these platforms, you're making it easy for potential customers to find you and learn more about your products and services. If someone searches for a business like yours in your area, your business is more likely to appear in the search results leading to more foot traffic and increased sales for your business.
But hey, it's not just about showing up in the search results. Local business listings can also help increase your customer engagement and trust. Local business listing help build trust with potential customers and make them more likely to choose your business over the competition.
Be Visible: How Local Business Listings Improve Local Search Visibility
Local businesses should know how important it is to have a robust online presence and show up in local search. If you create business listing on various websites and directories, it's one way to boost your online presence. In this post, we'll dive deeper into how local business listing can help improve your visibility in local search.
- Local business listing will make you show up in search results
Do you want to know a surefire way to ensure your business is the first one that pops up when someone searches for something in your area? Create a listing for your business on popular directories like Google My Business, Yelp, or Yellow Pages.
Think about it, when people are searching for a product or service in their area, they often turn to these directories. By creating a listing for your business on these platforms, you're basically giving potential customers a giant neon sign that says "HEY! OVER HERE! WE'RE THE BUSINESS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR!"
Image taken from a Strikingly user’s website
It's like having a personal butler for your business who greets customers at the door and tells them all about what you have to offer. And, let's be real, who doesn't want a personal butler for their business?
- Local business listing is optimized for local search engines
When you create business listing, you have the opportunity to fill out your business information like your address, phone number, website, and operating hours. This information is like the secret sauce search engines use to understand your business and show it in local search results.
You're basically giving search engines a map of your business and a schedule of when you're open for business. It's like sending out a search party to find your business and bring customers right to your door.
- Local business listing shows up on Google Maps
The secret to dominating local search on Google is to create business listing on Google My Business. When you list your business, you're basically giving Google Maps a personal invitation to your business. When someone searches for a business like yours in Google Maps, your business is more likely to show up in the search results.
Photo by henry perks on Unsplash
Google Maps pulls data from Google My Business listings to show local businesses. It's like being a VIP at a club. Google Maps only shows the best of the best, and your business is on the list.
- Local business listing lets you get found by customers who are on the go
You know The best way to get found by customers who are always on the move? Create a listing on local directories like Yelp!
Many local directories, such as Yelp, allow customers to search for businesses near their current location--like a gudiepost for customers looking for a quick solution or being a lifesaver for a customer who is in a hurry. Your business will be the first one that pops up on their radar when they're looking for a quick solution near their current location.
If you haven't already, consider setting up local business listing on various websites and directories to increase your local search visibility, create a solid online presence, and attract more customers.
Be Trustworthy: How Local Business Listing can Increase Customer Engagement and Trust
Creating a business listing on various websites and directories can do more than just increase your visibility in local searches. It can also help increase customer engagement and trust. In this section, we're going to dive deeper into how local business listings can benefit your business in these ways.
- It provides important information
Business listing sites will always include important information like your business hours, contact information, and a link to your website.
It's technically a treasure map with all the information they need to find your business and make a purchase. You're basically making it easy for them to find you and buy from you.
You're making it easy for potential customers to find the information they need to visit your business or make a purchase. These information includes:
- Your business hours
- Your contact information
- Your location on Google Maps or Waze
- Your website URL
It's like having a personal concierge for your business!
- It showcases customer reviews
Encourage your customers to give your business a try by showcasing customer reviews on local directories like Yelp!
Customer reviews are testimonials from real people. They're like personal recommendations from friends and family. Who doesn't trust their friends and family.
Positive reviews can also help attract new customers who are looking for a business with a good reputation, like having a group of cheerleaders for your business and shouting to the world how great your business is.
- It encourages customer engagement
Use local directories like Google My Business to post updates and offers to engage with customers and encourage them to visit your business or make a purchase.
You send out personal invites to your customers when you post updates and offers on local directories. It's like throwing a party and inviting all your customers to come and check out your business.
- It connects you with your customers
Connect and build relationships with your customers through messaging and other features by creating a business listing.
Connecting with customers through messaging and other features of your business listing sites means opening a direct line of communication with them, like having your own hotline for your customers. They can reach out to you with any questions or concerns, and you can respond promptly. We don't have to tell you how customers love prompt answers, right?
Be Engaging: Tips for Optimizing Local Business Listing to Improve Visibility and Customer Engagement
You know that feeling you get when you see a business listing and think, "Wow, they really nailed it!"?
You probably don't think about it much, but there are many elements that go into creating a good listing. And if you're not optimizing your business for search engines, you might be missing out on some great opportunities to get more customers in the door.
We've put together a list of 9 tips for optimizing your business listings so that you stand out from the crowd and get noticed:
1. Use your business name as the title of your listing.
One quick and simple tip for optimizing your business listings is to use your business name as the title of your listing. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many people don't do it.
Using your business name as the title will make it easy for customers to find your business and recognize it when they see it in search results. And, if your business name is also a keyword that describes your business, it will make it more likely to show up in search results for that keyword. Plus, it makes your listing more professional and trustworthy for your potential customers.
It's a small detail, but it can make a big difference in how easily your business can be found online. When you're creating or updating your business listing, make sure to use your business name as the title.
2. Include a description for your business listing
Consider your company listing description to be a mini-sales pitch. You want to ensure it's easy to read while providing all the necessary information. Make it easy to scan and understand using simple language and bullet points.
What really distinguishes your listing is information about how you can assist customers with their specific needs. For example, if you own a bakery and offer gluten-free options, you have to include that information in your listing. If you own a pet grooming business, you can mention that you specialize in senior and disabled pets. By emphasizing how your company can meet your customer's specific needs, you will be more likely to gain their attention and business.
3. Include keywords that describe what your business does
Make sure you include keywords that are relevant to your industry and that describe what your business does. For example, if you own a bakery, you may want to include keywords like "bakery," "pastries," "bread," "cakes," "desserts," and so on. If you're a plumber, you may want to include keywords like "plumbing," "leak repair," "drain cleaning," "water heater," and so on.
Image taken from a Strikingly user’s website
These keywords should be visible throughout your listing, including in the title, description, and any other fields provided. But remember, trying to stuff too many keywords into your listing can actually hurt your visibility and make your listing look spammy. Search engines will penalize you for that.
4. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date
If you make any changes in your business hours or other relevant details that customers need to know, update your local business listing. Your business name, address, phone number, and website should be accurate and consistent across all your listings.
This is crucial for two reasons:
- It makes it easier for customers to find and contact your company.
- It assists search engines in understanding your business and displaying it in search results.
Additionally, other pertinent details, such as parking, payment options, and any restrictions or safety measures, are reflected in your local business listing. Keeping them updated and accurate will let your customers plan their visits accordingly and avoid disappointment.
5. Include a link to your website or social media accounts
This part is vital so people can learn more about you and connect with you online. Customers can check out your menu, read about your history, and look at your products or services by including a link to your website. If your website has a blog or a news section, it's also a great way to keep your customers updated on any new developments or promotions.
Include a link to your website or social media accounts in your business listing. Customers can easily learn more about you and connect with you online this way. It's a minor detail, but it can have a significant impact on how easily your company can be found and how engaged your customers are with your company.
6. Add photos of your storefront or office space
Everyone is a visual animal. We devour every image that is relevant to what we're searching for. Adding images in your local business listing (if your business listing sites allow it) will give your customers a visual idea of what it would look like if they walked through your door.
It can also make it easier for them to find your business if they are looking for it on the street. Customers new to the area or visiting for the first time will appreciate photos of your storefront or office space. It can give them a sense of what to expect and what your business looks like, making them feel more at ease when they visit.
You can include photos and videos of your products or services in addition to photos of your storefront or office space. If you own a restaurant, for example, you can include pictures of your menu items or a video of one of your chefs preparing a dish. If you own a hair salon, you can add images of various hairstyles that your stylists can create.
7. Respond to customer reviews
Want to know a secret to boost your business listing? Responding to customer reviews! We know it sounds like a chore, but trust us, it's worth it.
Responding to customer reviews shows that you care about their feedback and are actively engaged with your customers. Plus, it makes it more likely that customers will leave a review in the first place, knowing that they will be heard. And let's face it, who doesn't like to feel heard?
When responding to reviews, make sure to be friendly and professional. Thank customers for their feedback, whether it's positive or negative. Address any concerns they may have in a timely manner and let them know you're working to improve.
Lastly, don't be afraid to have a little fun with it! If a customer leaves a witty comment, feel free to respond with a little wit of your own. It'll show that you have a sense of humor and that you're not just a faceless business but an actual human being.
9. Use special offers and deals
Offers and deals, baby! Yep, use special offers and deals to attract new customers and incentivize repeat business. Who doesn't love a good deal? It's a great way to show your existing customers that you appreciate their business.
You can be creative with your offers, whether it's a buy one get one free deal, a discount for first-time customers, or a loyalty program. The key is to make sure your offers are easy to understand and redeem.
Be Strikingly: Get a Quick Website for Your Local Business Listing
Image taken from Strikingly
Strikingly is a website builder that makes it simple to create a professional-looking website for your company. You can showcase your products or services, provide information about your business, and even include a way for customers to contact you or make a purchase.
Your Strikingly website should also reflect the same information you have on your business listing sites:
- Your company name
- Your contact information
- Your location via Google Maps (yes, it can be easily embedded!)
- Your links to social media (you can also add a Social Feeds section to add dynamic content from your social media accounts on your website)
Image taken from a Strikingly user’s website
Put your thinking cap on, create a stunning website for your business, and list it in all the local directories. And remember, a website and local business listing is like a powerful one-two punch to help your business grow!
