34 Reliable Online Directories for Local Businesses
Listing your business online is a great way to implement an inbound marketing strategy. Not only are the backlinks from your directory profiles an important element to successful SEO, but they increase your organic exposure dramatically as well. Listing your business in a directory allows people who are actively searching for your industry find your company name among other competitors and help drive more high quality leads.
Online directories for local businesses are a very effective way to increase exposure and improve your site’s SEO.
Before you get started finding online directories, you need to ensure a few things. Most online directories validate a company before allowing them on their platform, so your information has to be consistent across all platforms. In order to get a business approved, most directories review the following:
Location consistency: Your physical address is listed the same throughout Google, Bing, social media, and your website
Business information: You provide accurate and descriptive detail of what your business is that can be verified through other platforms
Contact information: Your company’s contact information is the same everywhere your business appears online
Your information: Most directories require a personal verification to ensure you have the authority to act on behalf of the business
Submitting your business for approval may take some time, so be prepared to block off an hour or two so that you may provide as much detail as possible. It usually takes between 2 - 3 business days before a business gets approved, so keep in mind that this is a timely process.
Since online directories are so popular, many of them charge fees to be listed, so it’s important to find the free ones first.
Twelve Free Online Listings for Small Businesses
Google My Business - If you don’t already have a GMB profile, this will be essential for being found on Google Maps and ranking higher on Search results.
Bing for Business - Going hand-in-hand with GMB, creating a profile for Bing is crucial for creating a consistent presence throughout the internet.
Yelp for Business - While Yelp does require payment for some advanced features (such as having a logo), it is still important to take advantage of the opportunity to gain a backlink with as high of a domain authority as Yelp has. Even if you are not willing to pay the $1/day fee to upload your logo, you can still provide as much valuable information about your business as you can.
Facebook - Even if you do not plan to utilize social media as a huge role in your marketing strategy, creating a business page on Facebook is never a bad idea. The backlink itself has a domain authority over 90, and often when you are just starting out, your Facebook page will actually rank above your website in Search results.
LinkedIn - Once again, creating a business page on LinkedIn gives your website a very reliable backlink and helps verify your company is a legitimate establishment.
Yellowbook - This online version of the Yellowpages is an older platform but still a reliable source for backlinks. Depending on your industry or ideal customer, you may even drive leads from this listing as well.
BizJournals - This media publisher is a very active and trustworthy source of exposure. To submit your business, you will have to scroll down to the very bottom of the page, select “Book of Lists”, scroll down again and select “Submit Your Business.”
Foursquare - This guide is a great opportunity for local businesses to improve their online presence in their specific local market.
Apple Maps - This option only works if you have a brick-and-mortar location.
ShowMeLocal - Another great opportunity for local businesses in particular to gain more exposure in their local market.
Local.com - Quick and easy listing for local businesses.
City Data - A database for a variety of information about specific locations in the US, including businesses.
While these aren’t the only places a small business can add a listing online, these are definitely a starting point. There are also a handful of options for specific industries and listings for those who are willing to pay.
