Gone are the days when a business could afford to list on conventional yellow page listings and sit back. Today, small businesses need to invest in listing their ventures on every viable platform-on and offline to increase their reach and visibility. The modern customer will resort to using the search engine when they want to find your business. Surprisingly, over 60 percent of your potential clients will now use mobile search to find you. If you haven’t listed on a mobile friendly listing site, and you don’t have a serp tracker tool you could miss out a lot.
Even though you are always busy pushing your business forward, you need to set time to review and claim some of the most formidable business listing sites. When you identify a potential site, you have the power to post relevant information in an optimized way that lets your customers find you with a click of a button. Interestingly, there are niche listing sites that make it easier for you. Research will help you know the listing that will have the most positive result for your ROI.
When claiming a listing site, consistency is the name of the game. Whether it’s a paid or free listing, you need to come off as authentic. Always post info that is relevant, original and relevant. It helps your SEO efforts if you have consistent info in the following categories:
- Business name.
- Physical and virtual address.
- Primary phone number.
- Website.
- Business hours/availability.
- A Meta description of your business.
- Business category/type.
- Logo and relevant graphics.
Here are 5 free business sites you should list your venture on.
1. Google My Business
Google is the father of search engines. It’s imperative that you list on the definitive and free Google My Business site. When listed well, your business not only benefits from wide local exposure, but it can be viewed globally. You get your business listed locally as a mobile friendly entity and it is possible to locate you on android and IOS. Your local prospects will be able to find you with the confidence that you have what it takes to meet their needs. With your business on GMB, it’s possible for your website to jump up in ranking. You can use GMB to track whoever is searching for your name and what they are really interested in. The listing is free.
2. Merchant Circle
This is a free listing network that focuses on small business exposure. You can connect easily with local customers and other ventures in your area. Use merchant circle to advertise and boost listings, capitalize on marketing tools and post blogs with an aim to grow your venture. You can share as much as you want about your business and you can connect directly with customers looking for your products.
3. Manta
Manta comes off as one of the largest and online listing resource that is dedicated to the welfare of startups. Not only does it boost your visibility, but it gives you an opportunity to be found though local search. This directory records millions of visitors each month, and it categorizes search into different classes for individual ventures, niches and location specific listings. It’s easy to register on the site and you can add a huge volume of business specific details telling your prospects what you are all about. The free or accredited listing has their benefits, but if you choose the pay to play option, Manta provides you with a host of features and packages that allow you to use ads on their site.
4. DexKnows
With this listing site, you get to know how your customers review and think of your business. It lets you know how well you are engaging your prospects such that you can strategize with your online and offline ads. The DexKnows mobile app lets your users to search with easy taps and they can review and favorite your venture on the go. This site will amplify your websites chances of ranking higher. The registration is free and you have to contact them to claim your listing. Chose DexKnows and pick monthly listing packages, get ads and site specific insight that lets you expand your reach,
5. BBB Local Business
If your business isn’t listed on the Better Business Bureau, you need to do it now. You can choose from the free listing, or you can opt for the accredited alternative. BBB gives your venture a comprehensive run down and you can enjoy an accreditation badge and link back to your website. You can write a detailed business description and a citation too. The ever impressive traffic volumes on this site have a huge impact on your ROI. You can get realistic ROI estimates, if you pick the accredited version. With the accredited option, it takes less than four months to realize your ROI targets.
There are many business listing sites that don’t cost you a dime to list your venture. You only need to know that a given site is perfect for your small venture. Surprisingly, some of these local listings you want to ignore have a high Alexa rank. If your budget isn’t all that, you can consider starting on the local listings. You will be surprised by their potential in just a few months.