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How to Optimize Your Directory Listings to Rank Organically

1/21/2019

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If your business relies mainly on local customers, you should take advantage of every opportunity to market your business within your immediate area.

​This is where 
local search engine optimization (SEO) comes in, its purpose being to make your business more visible in local search results. You can check  Ignite Digital on how they can help you increase your organic presence.

One way to increase your visibility is through fully-optimized listings on Google, Yelp, and other directories. ​
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But...what exactly are optimized directory listings? 

Optimized Directory Listings Include...

Without all of the following elements, your listings are incomplete and, therefore, their ability to rank high organically is limited. 

The Right Name, Address & Phone Number 

Your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) should be accurate, first of all. That means no typos, outdated numbers or old addresses. Not only would this be frustrating for potential customers, but it could also cause indexing bots to rank your site incorrectly.

Second, this core business information should be consistent across all listings. If your business name is Realtors Incorporated, for example, all of your listings should use that name. You wouldn't want to use Realtors Inc. on some directories, which could ultimately confuse search engines. 

A Detailed Description

Your description needs to make clear exactly what you do or offer so that visitors to your listing can quickly determine it's relevance. You can't expect them to stick around and investigate what's what. They simply won't do it. Their interest is in finding what they need fast. If you don't make it clear that you're what they need, you miss out. In plain terms, an unclear description will send would-be customers to your more articulate competitors. 

A Link to Your Website 

While your description should give a good overview of your business, it'll still be brief compared to the more extensive explanations on your website. Therefore, in addition to that description, you should link to your site. That way, anyone who wants more information can easily learn more and engage further, potentially leading to sales. 

Up-to-Date Business Hours

 If you want more visits to your physical location, provide your up-to-date business hours. If people are not sure when you're open or closed, they will be hesitant to pay you a visit. Why risk wasting their time, especially when they can be sure that your competitors have what they need and are open for business? 

Appropriate Categories

If you're on directories that aren't industry-specific, you'll need to add appropriate categories so that people looking for your type of business can easily find you. 

Quality Images

One reason people often research businesses online before becoming customers is to find out what to expect. By providing quality pictures of your location, staff, products, and so on, you can put potential customers at ease and get them excited to interact with you. 
The same goes for other visual elements such as company videos and virtual tours. 

Encourage and Respond to Reviews

A review strategy can go a long way in helping your business rank well organically. If customers are consistently visiting your listings to give feedback and you respond regularly to reviews, indexing bots will take note of such activity and boost your rankings. 


Start Ranking Locally!

Now that you know how to optimize your directory listings, don't wait to make the needed changes. Only then can you begin to enjoy the benefits of local SEO! 

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​
But wait...do you have questions about ranking organically within your locale? Contact us for assistance!


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    By: Matt Holmes

    Matt Holmes
    (@handshakin) 
    is an entrepreneur, speaker, marketer, and world record holder for the world's longest handshake.

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  • Home
  • Assets
    • TALLAHASSEE CONCRETE WORK
    • Fort Collins Window Tint
    • Recently Sold
    • Deals >
      • Bay Roofers
      • 604 Window Tint
      • Denver RV and Mobile Home Park
  • How It Works
  • Lead Gen Sites
  • Blog