Why Business Directories Matter
In today’s technologically-connected world, there is no excuse if you don’t have some kind of online presence. If you do have an online presence, that’s a good thing. However, you have options to get the word out about your company. Online directories are still an extremely popular way for people to find out about your business.
What are Directories?
Simply put, a directory features your company’s information found on a list. That list can be online, in print, or a combination of both. There are many different types of directories available. At one point in time, the most common directory was the phone book. Nowadays, web directories are the most common. Web directories, of course, are the ones found online when you do a search for something.
Directories can be broad (like companies located in a large city that do a certain type of business) to specific (companies in a city that do a certain type of business and have a focus on giving back to the community for example). It’s going to be up to you to decide how broadly or narrowly you want your company to appear on online directories.
How Do You Get Listed?
You have many options to get your business onto directories. The two most common ways to get listed are to join free directories or to pay for your business to be on a directory. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Free directories are just that: free directories. You don’t have to pay any money in order for your business to be on the directory. The downside to free online directories is that you have to find a way to make your listing special. Because so many businesses use free version, they are filled with listings. If you go the free route, find a way to make your business stand out.
Next, there’s paid directories. While free directories are free, paid directories cost money for your business to be on the directory. Some paid directories have you pay a one-time fee; others you pay a certain amount every month. With paid directories, you still want your information to stand out from the others. Be sure to provide lots of fresh content to show customers you’re a business worth checking out.
How Many Directories Should I Be On?
This is a common question, and there’s no real answer to it. The number of directories you add your business to is going to depend on your business. Of course, you want your business to be found by potential clients. Think about the clientele you want. Do you want local or national? If you want a more local approach, you’ll want to be on more local directories.
If your mind is on expanding your company, you’ll want to think more broadly. It’s also a good idea to have a mix of paid and free directories. With the way Google works nowadays, the more directories your company is featured on, the more likely Google views your business as a viable option for consumers.
When the world wide web started, the use for phone books decreased drastically over time. And now everything is all online. Don’t miss out on any new business because you aren’t visible to online directories or because your online presence isn’t as strong as it should be. When you’re ready to increase your online presence to see results for your business, contact the team at OneCom Media & Marketing.
