Did you know that nearly half (46%) of all Google searches are from people looking for local information, and 88% of people who search for something local on their smartphone visit or call that business within the next 24 hours? What this means is that if people cannot find your business on the internet, it is almost like your business does not exist.
This is why smart business owners swear by local listings. Local listings are digital breadcrumbs that lead customers right to your business. Below, this listing management agency in Chicago, Illinois is going to explore some of the different types of local listings business owners should know about.
Structured citations are complete online profiles that list everything important about your business.
Structured citations are complete online profiles for your business that you will see on platforms like Google Business Profile and Yelp. These profiles include everything people need to know about your business, like your business’s name, address, phone number (“NAP”), hours of operation, and sometimes even photos of your shop or office.
Businesses that have complete and accurate structured citations are more likely to get people to visit them or call. But if the information is wrong (like the wrong phone number or closing time), it will most likely drive customers away.
An experienced listings management agency in Chicago, Illinois can help you make sure your structured citations are correct and up to date. With them, you will not have to deal with customers complaining about outdated information or losing them to a competitor who got it right.
Any mention of your business on the internet that is not a profile is an unstructured citation.
Unstructured citations are mentions of your business on random websites, like blog posts, online news articles, or community boards. For example, someone might write about their favorite place to eat in Chicago and include your restaurant’s name and address. That is what an unstructured citation is.
Even though unstructured citations don’t give you a complete picture of your business, they are still useful for your local SEO. Every time your business is mentioned, it signals to search engines like Google that your business is legit and can be trusted. This, in turn, improves your rankings in local searches, which means more people near you can find you online.
Professional listings management agencies in Chicago, Illinois can help you track down these mentions and make sure your business benefits from every little bit of attention.
Customers use review sites to share their experiences with your business.
People trust reviews just as much as they trust advice from their friends. So, if someone sees that your business has bad reviews on sites like Yelp, Google Reviews, or Facebook, they might decide not to visit at all. But if they see more positive reviews than negative, they will be more willing to give your business a try.
If managing your reviews feels overwhelming, you should reach out to the experts. They will know how to respond to reviews (both good and bad) and even encourage your happiest customers to share their experiences online.
Social media listings and online directories make your business easier to find on the internet.
75% of online users use social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to research products or services before buying. Clearly, if your business is not listed on these platforms, you are missing out on a huge audience.
There are also online directories like Yellow Pages. We agree that these directories look outdated, but their impact on your SEO is anything but that. Businesses listed on major directories show up higher in search results compared to those that are not there.
The problem is that managing all these listings is easier said than done — even a small mistake can cause your business to lose its online visibility. This is why you should think about outsourcing to an experienced listing management agency in Chicago, Illinois. They can handle everything for you and make sure all your information online is accurate and consistent on the internet.
Looking for a Listings Management Agency in Chicago, Illinois?
Are you searching for a professional listings management agency in Chicago, Illinois that can help your business get noticed online? If so, Digital Destination LLC is the top choice. Contact us today at (312) 933-6806 to get in touch with our team.