While it is true that word-of-mouth and traditional local marketing initiatives will help connect your target audience with your business, the importance of having your business listed in local directories and proper listings management cannot be brushed aside in this digital age.
Google research reports that 50% of smartphone users and 34% of tablet/computer users visit a store within a day after conducting a local search. What’s interesting is that these users are also more likely to buy once they are in your store, as 18% of all local searches lead to sales, compared to 7% for non-local searches. It goes without saying that if your business listings are not displayed correctly on online directories, you are failing to tap a huge market for your products/services.
Not convinced yet?
Here are three key advantages of proper online listings management that might convince you otherwise:
1. Current and Accurate Information
When users look up your business online, their immediate need is probably to get in touch with your business to learn more about you and your offerings. That could mean calling you for a price estimate, or visiting your store to look at your latest product/service more closely. So, it’s important that you make sure you’re paying attention to your online listings and maintaining current and accurate business information across all of them. This lets your users contact you directly from the search results.
The core of consistent information is for the NAP — that is, the Name, Address, and Phone Number of your business — to match perfectly from one directory to the next. Variations in the address, such as Blvd. vs Boulevard, can throw search crawlers for a loop.
In addition to making it easy for users to contact you, you should also let them know when it’s the right time to do so. We recommend making sure your hours are clearly and correctly outlined in your online listing ensures that customers looking you up at 7 p.m. on a Saturday know whether they can call, have enough time to come in, or need to wait until Monday to contact your business.
2. High SERP Placement
In almost all cases, search engines rank the businesses they know more about in their top listings. This is because they want to deliver only the best user experience to people that use their search engine. For that, they actively crawl for various sources of the business information on the internet to verify the information on your listing. Making sure that your listings information is always accurate and consistent information in all directories is therefore critical to secure the top ranks on Google.
3. Access to Reviews
You should also allow users to post their reviews as well as access those posted by others to help build consumer confidence. Let’s say, for example, you own an HVAC repair and installation business. Having reviews in your business listings that demonstrate your timely service, economical fee, and courteous technicians means that consumers will be more likely to get in touch with you to find out more about your services.
Looking for an Online Listings Management Agency in Joliet?
We offer ROI-driven online listings management services that will help you make the most of your Joliet business’s online presence. Contact us today if you have any questions about local online directory listings or listings management. Our friendly customer support team is always ready to help.