4 Fulfilling Reasons to Use Online Directories
With just a few taps on their phone, customers can quickly discover and transact with a business. In the US alone, 21% of consumers go on the Internet to locate a local business. Online business directories are perfect opportunities for potential customers to connect with you.
Customers get to preview your products, location, and quality of service through online directories. These listings also accelerate your business’s growth and discoverability. Let’s discuss four more reasons why your business needs online directories.
4 Reasons Why You Need Online Business Directories
1. Cost-Efficient Exposure
Most online directories allow you to claim your business listing for free. Claiming your business listing on sites like Google My Business is one of the most effective and inexpensive forms of advertising. Online directories lead potential customers to learn more about your business and offered services. What’s more, 70% of consumers are said to visit a local business when coming across an online listing that’s relevant to their search query.
2. Enhanced Online Presence
Once you list your business in a major online directory like Google My Business, other directories will collect your business details and share them with their user base. As more directories add you to their listings, the more discoverable you are to potential customers.
In 2020, around 93% of customers searched online for local establishments. By boosting your presence, you can generate a lot of traffic to your website. The more customers on your website, the greater the chances for your business to rank high on the search results page.
3. Boosted Online Ranking and Visibility
Online directories contribute to the search ranking and visibility of a business. Search engines like Google and Yahoo rely on online directories to determine how frequently a business can be suggested to users searching for similar local services.
21% of consumers report that a business’s position on the search engine results page influences their opinion about the establishment. This is where local SEO takes center stage. By optimizing your business description, contact details, and location, you can increase your rankings and get found more quickly by customers. Millennials are 50% more likely to engage in local searches. They’re also twice as likely to use local search to find a local establishment they can instantly visit.
Finally, search engines favor business listings with authoritative and relevant backlinks. Backlinking to your website establishes your credibility and encourages visitor traffic
4. Improved Business Reputation and Trust
Online directories help businesses establish a reputation online by showcasing their customers’ honest feedback. Google My Business and Yelp are some well-known directories where customers can leave reviews and rate their experience.
67% of customers refer to previous customer reviews before transacting with a business. Consequently, 21% supplement their decision-making process by checking out Google reviews. Most customers go on Google to look up a business location. With the search engine processing around 5.6 billion searches every day, optimizing your business listing on Google is a fool-proof method to build your reputation.
Claim Your Business Listings on Online Directories
Online directories push your business in front of your target audience for free and with minimal marketing maintenance. Make the most out of your business listings by consulting with iMapping, a provider of expert business listing management.