To grow your local business and get more clients through the door, consumers need to first know about your business. The best way to get more eyes on your business is to be visible in more places where people are already looking.
Online directories are websites where you can list your business. The information you can share varies from directory to directory but generally includes your address, hours of operation, phone number, and website. In addition, some directories allow you to highlight any promotions you might currently be offering. Other sites may also provide an opportunity to collect reviews or answer questions from potential customers.
There are five different categories of directories: Search, Social Networks and Apps, Map and Navigation Services, and General Publishers.
At 10|20 Marketing, our expertise lies in getting businesses listed on these directories. So we thought we’d compile a list of the top types of directories that we work to help grow your local business. Here’s the first batch of these types, with more coming later this week!
Search
Search engine directories are essential because most people are still turning to them when looking for local businesses. Great SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can help your website be shown higher in results, but they also show profiles or listings, not just website results.
- Google: Google My Business is one of (if not the) most important directories to be on, simply due to the sheer popularity of Google as a first-choice search engine.
- Bing: Like Google, Bing Places is the search engine’s directory listing that helps your business be found by those using Bing to search for local businesses and services. You can get set-up and verified in just 3 easy steps.
Social Networks and Apps
Social networks and apps connect people and businesses around the world with similar interests. They offer companies the opportunity to be found by potential customers and engage with them as well.
- Facebook: The social networking platform that started it all, Facebook still has the largest audience and, therefore, most significant potential reach. Facebook Pages also show up in search results for search engines and are necessary for creating ads.
- Instagram: Owned by Facebook, Instagram may not have matched Facebook in size just yet, but its engagement is unmatched. Unlike Facebook, where you have to have a personal profile to create a business page, anyone can create a Business Account on Instagram. It’s free, fast, and is just like using a personal account.
- FourSquare: FourSquare is a location-based app that delivers personalized recommendations to users based on their current location and past browsing history. List your business on FourSquare, and sit back and let the app recommend you to potential customers!
Map and Navigation Services
Navigation services help users get from where they are to where they are going. But have you ever noticed how when you search for the business or landmark you need to get to, you’re served up similar recommendations or see cafes and restaurants near your destination? That’s only possible with business listings.
- Google Maps: Google Maps is the navigation system owned by Google. When you create your Google My Business listing, you have the opportunity to be found by users searching for local businesses and by those looking for directions.
- HERE: HERE WeGo was initially developed for Nokia as their navigation system HERE Maps. HERE is “a free navigation app that guides local and global travellers on journeys both familiar and foreign.”
- TomTom: TomTom released the first route-planning software for mobile devices back in 1996, and in 2001 released the first car navigation system using satellites.
- Navmii: Navmii offers navigation and maps services to business owners, meaning, if you’re building an app and need a map, Navmii can help you create a customized solution! Of course, with this service Navmii also shows local businesses on its maps. You can add your business listing here.
- Apple Maps: In 2012, Apple launched its navigation system that became the default Maps option for the iOS operating system. You can add your business information in Apple Maps Connect to help customers find you.
- Uber: Founded in March 2009, Uber is a ride-sharing app that offers budget transportation on demand. They eventually expanded to include Uber Eats, a meal delivery service in partnerships with local restaurants. You can sign your business up for Uber Eats here.
- Waze: A subsidiary of Google, Waze is a navigation software app for phones and tablets with GPS. It operates using user-submitted time data and location information to offer you the fastest travel times. You can set up a business listing and ad on Waze here.
Think More Directories
The more listing directories you are on, the more likely you are to be found by consumers in your neighbourhood looking for businesses like yours. 10|20 Marketing makes it easy to get listed – and keep your directory listings updated – on all of the apps and networks listed above, and even more.
Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll go over General Publishers you will want your business listing to appear to grow your local business.