Directory Listing Management – What Directories Your Business Should Be On To Reach New Clients

After you’ve opened your doors and set up your website, the next most important step is to list your business online. On the web, you can find countless online directories for every type of business. They can be related to your industry, region, or to how much your business is willing to spend to be seen first. Overall, online directories are like an online map to your business. They are how your online potential clients will find you. In this article, we will explore how you can get your business into online directories, which ones are best for your business and how your websites authority can help you rank higher on these directories & search engines.

Online directories are just like a phone book, except online. They are a database that connects thousands of businesses, and all of its information, to a user. The major difference between an online directory and a printed phone book (from yesteryear), is that in an online directory, you need to register your business. Each business owner is responsible for listing their business in all of the online directories that pertain to their business. It’s very important for you to be connected in these online databases if you want to keep your business growing and reach new clientele.

Online business directories can be presented in a few different formats. They can be an app, a website, a social media platform, and search engines. One of the most commonly used type of directories today are ones that are linked to a navigational program. An app like Google Maps can provide insight for users looking for a business closest to their home. The typical user is searching for a business in a particular area – most likely near their home, work, or possibly near a destination they will travel to in the future. Whether your business is in a physical location or not, it should still be listed on local map directories like Google Maps.

There are hundreds of different directories – some directories are more important than others. Depending on what industry your business is in, there can be a whole separate world of ranking online directories. For example, contractors have the generic directories like Yelp, but they also have the more specific directories like HomeStars and Angie’s List that are specific for residential/commercial contractors.

Each directory has different specifications and categories for businesses to be listed on it. You or your business manager will have to input your company’s information into their database. This might include your office number, location, services offered, photos, hours of operation, and any other relevant information.

General Directories

This type of directory is open to all users and types of businesses. It is typically very large scale and is easy to manage. Directories like Google My Business and LinkedIn Company Directory reside in this category. There are different subcategories and sections each business listing can fall into. They naturally have a large reach and are very user friendly. If your website is not expertly created or optimized, it might be difficult to rank highly.

Industry Directories

These directories cater to a very small audience. However, the individuals who use these directories are often ready to utilize your services. Industry Directories are broken up by industry or service. They are often directly related to the field of work your business is in. For example, Find-a-Dentist is one of the most popular dental directories in the US. It is linked to the American Dental Association and is therefore trusted by many users.

Regional Directories

This type of directory is directly based on location. They are integrated with a map and offer users results based on proximity to their home or desired location. Your business will only be able to be listed in this directory if it is located in a particular area (country, state, province, city, municipality). It can also be linked to a map app, like Google Maps or Apple Maps. Users are able to search for different types of businesses when they are in a particular location. This type of directory is the best way to attract local clients.

Paid Directories

These directories require the business owner to pay for their spot on the directory. The cost for this type of directory varies. However, the closer to the first spot that you want, the more you will have to pay. The higher the ranking on these directories, the more traffic your website and business will get.

Physical Directories

Also known as brick and mortar directories, these directories can only be found in physical form. They are often listed in a place of business or an informational centre. This directory can be the actual phone book that we discussed earlier. It is mainly used to attract local clients.

There are many free directories available for businesses today. A directories main purpose is to connect a client and a business. Many of the popular directory listing services (like Google My Business, Yellow Pages, and Bing) are free for business owners and users – Both parties will be able to utilize the directory services. However, many of the directories offer premium spots. The premium spots do come at a premium rate and require business owners to pay a monthly fee or pay per click rate. The higher ranked your business is, the more opportunities you have to interact with potential clients. However, there are more ways than just paid opportunities to rank higher in directories.

Domain Authority is related to how your website ranks in regards to a particular search. There are different subject areas and industry’s each website can be categorized into. Your business may be more of a specialist in one area and less knowledgeable in another.

The Domain Authority Rank on your website directs the search engine on where you should be ranked on the list. When your website is compliant to all of the search engine optimization factors and is listed on all available directories, it will higher domain authority. The domain authority rank is like a good grade on your website, and that good grade can help get your website on the honors list, or in our case, first on search engines.

Domain Authority can be analyzed by many programs available online. The more reputable your website can be proven in its industry, the higher your ranking will be.

What Domain Authority Rank Should My Business Have?

Generally, the higher your rank is, the better. Of course, it is going to be near impossible to get a perfect score. Your business will need to be linked to every directory and have thousands of users, reviews, and clicks per day – there’s a reason Google is #1 & Facebook is #2.

Save Money

Marketing is a concept – a concept that can’t always be understood or extended to everyone - but directories are. Among the many free and paid directories, there are different ways to list your business. Utilizing the free directories should be step one on your to-do list today. It could be getting you thousands of dollars’ worth of exposure each month!

Improves Local Visibility

Not everyone is an expert in their neighborhood. Putting your business on online directories opens the door for everyone in your area. They might just stop by today!

Get Consistency

There are several different places your customers can leave reviews of your work. In the online world, the more the better! Having more directories that post real reviews can also help eliminate any bad reviews or information that might exist about you online.

Save Time

Online directories require less maintenance than a marketing plan. For many of them, there is little up keep. Just enter your business information and let the clients come to you!

Easily Accessible

They are open to anyone and everyone with access to the world online. Most directories can be accessed on phones, tablets, and computers - many online directories even have apps or are directly linked to the main apps used on smart phones.

Improves Search Engine Ranking

Like we previously mentioned, your domain authority ranking and SEO go hand in hand. Placing your business on multiple online directories make it more reputable in the eyes of domain authority and improves your chance of being ranked first on search engines.

Improve Reputation

The second most important factor to ranking first on search engines has to do with reputation. If your business has terrible, 1-star reviews, chances are Google isn’t going to recommend you to the next searcher for Orthodontist in their area. Just like you don’t want to give bad business, directories don’t either. Being on directories and receiving multiple clicks or ‘votes’ for your business helps improve your online reputation with search engines.

• Google
  
• Yahoo
  
• Bing
  
• Yelp
  
• Better Business Bureau
  
• Yahoo! Local
  
• FourSquare
  
• Yellow Pages
  
• Facebook
  
• Angies List
  
• Apple Maps
  
• Google My Business
  
• Merchant Circle
  
• Linkedin Company Directory
  
• MapQuest
  
• HubSpot
  
• Manta
  
• Kudzu.com
  
• Super Pages
  
• Local.com
  
• Yellow Book
  
• Thumbtack
  
• Citysearch
  
• Bing Places for Business
  

Launching your business on multiple online directories can be tricky. But keeping track of them all, and staying up to date, now that’s areal trick.

That’s where we come in.

Dr. Marketing is professionally trained in directory listing management. We understand the ins and outs of each specific directory and what it takes to be ranked ahead of your competitors. We take the time to input all of your information, keep it up to date, and preform quality spot checks every few weeks. We also input your business into the niche and industry specific directories. All of those exclusive, business member only directories, don’t worry, we gotchu’.

Even though directories can be free, they are a second gate into your business. We make sure that your business is one of the first visible when a local client searches for your industry/profession/service online.

Let us help you with that.

Interested in learning more about our services for directory listing management and website design? Give our experts a call, click the button below.