e are the 22 Best Directory Listings For Any Business (+Optimization Tips).
If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past 30 years, you will likely have witnessed a remarkable evolution in technology’s use in daily life. It’s clear that technology has changed from using landlines to wireless devices. You can print MapQuest directions and use a GPS to find them. And you don’t have to flip through a phonebook to do a quick search.
Directory listings are a great way to make your business easily find online. What is directory listing? We are so glad that you asked! This post will walk you through:
-
Why directory listings matter for online success.
-
Directory listings that are best for your business.
-
The top tips to make your directory listings standout
Let’s get started!
What is directory listing?
Directory are like a virtual Yellow Pages for business, but with more information so users looking for products and services can find it quickly and make an informed decision about the best provider.
Although directory listings can vary from one platform to another, they may include the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Telephone number
- Website
- Photos
-
Customer reviews
- Posts
- Extraordinary amenities
- Menus
- Book/reserve options
- Continue reading
This post will cover a complete list of the top directory listings. However, some examples of business directories include Google and Facebook as well as Waze, Foursquare and Apple Maps.
Why directory listings are important for your business
Your customers could be among the 5.61 billion internet users. Online directory listings are essential for businesses so that you can be found by people searching for your brand.
Although it may seem like a given, there are more reasons directory listings are important for businesses.
- 46% of searches on Google are local. 88% of these people are looking to visit or call a business within 24hrs. Your business can take advantage of these searches by having your directory listings appear in them.
- A business with at least five reviews online increases the likelihood that a customer will purchase a product or service. Your business can get more reviews online by listing in the directory.
- Information found in business directory listings influences 93% of people.
- 68% of consumers will not work with local businesses if they find incorrect information on online directories.
- It has been shown that directory listings can increase brand awareness, leading to increased traffic to your site and a stronger SEO strategy.
The best business directory listings
You may already be familiar with some directory listings, such as Yelp or Google Business Profile. There are many other directories that can help you reach your niche market. Let’s take a look at the best business directories that you might want to consider.
1. Google Business Profile
This listing’s name may speak for itself. Google Business Profile listings often show up first when people search for terms related to your business via Google Search and Maps. Before you claim or verify any other listing on Google Search, make sure you optimize it to improve your local SEO and get higher rankings on Google Maps.
2. Yelp
Yelp is another popular site for directory listings. Most consumers and businesses have heard of it. Yelp boasts over 244,000,000 cumulative reviews across its listings, and nearly 100%of Yelp’s users have made a purchase through a business listed on it.
You won’t want your business to be overlooked on Yelp. Check out our guide on reputation management to find out more about how you can claim your business listing on Yelp.
3. Facebook
Facebook has become a one-stop place for users to search business pages that contain key information and reviews. Nearly half of all U.S. internet users visited Facebook to review local businesses. 50% meanwhile, B2B decision-makers use Facebook to research vendors. Here’s how to make the perfect Facebook Business Page.
4. Instagram
Instagram can be as useful as Facebook as an online directory. Many people don’t know this. With location-based search and tag capabilities, and the ability to link your Facebook business page to Instagram, Instagram is becoming a popular social media platform for searching and tagging local businesses.
5. Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau (BBB), is the best choice for directory listings. Your business can be listed for free, or you can work to become accredited to show your customers that it is credible.
6. Apple Business Connect
Appleis a hub that allows businesses of all sizes to access information across various apps, including Apple Maps.
7. Yellow Pages
Did you remember how I spoke of our beloved, old phone books? Phone books are still available online. Yellow Pages is the digital edition of the same phone book brand that many people know and love from years ago.
8. MapQuest
MapQuest is similar to Yellow Pages and has evolved into a business directory. Your business can be added to MapQuest to appear as a point-of-interest along routes or to simply be displayed when people search for directions to your location.
9. Dun & Bradstreet
The Dun & Bradstreet directory listing websiteis a huge database that includes businesses of all sizes, both public and private.
10. Foursquare
Search for businesses using Foursquare has over 50 million members who regularly search the platform for new business opportunities.
11. Chamber of Commerce
Having a directory listing on chamberofcommerce.com can help your business expand its reach as the site has over 25 million visitors per year looking for reputable businesses just like yours.
12. EZ Local
This directory listing site makes it easy to add businesses and find businesses.
13. Judy’s Book
Your directory listing should feel like a recommendation from a friend. Judy’s Book centers around the socialproofof local customers.
The best diversity and equity directory listings
These directory listings are if diversity and equity is a key strategy in your business’s marketing.
14. We are women owned
We are Women Owned is an online directory that lists women-owned businesses. It also serves as a resource center for keeping your business growing.
15. Support black owned businesses
While there are many Black-owned directories, Support Black Ownered (SBO) takes pride in its ever-growing number of Black-owned businesses.
P.S. P.S. – Check out our list of black-owned businesses that are inspiring!
16. United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce directory supports both Hispanic-owned and minority-owned companies across the country.
Here are more resources for diversity, equity and inclusion
The best directory listings for small businesses
Are you looking for a directory listing option that is specific to your unique offerings and products? These are some of the options:
17. HubSpot Solutions Directory
This directory is for agencies, start-ups and other businesses in the marketing, sales and technology space. It connects you with potential customers who are looking for your solutions.
18. Thumbtack
Service-based businesses of any kind will love Thumbtack. It automatically adapts to your business’ location and the users it serves to create a match made for life.
19. Angi
Angie, also known as Angie’s List is a directory listing site that primarily targets home-based and healthcare business owners.
20. Nextdoor
Nextdoor is a platform that supports local businesses. Nextdoor is about connecting people with your business and their neighbors.
21. Merchant Circle
From professional services to retailers, to all things in between, Merchant Circle offers a wide range of industry focuses that customers can use to locate your business.
22. US Small Business Directory
This directory listing site is for small businesses in America. There are many options available to local businesses who want to list in the US Small Business Directory. There is also a section that allows businesses to trade and barter.
3 tips to optimize your directory listings
Are you looking to update your directory listings? These are three key points to help you improve your directory listings.
Check your directory listings regularly.
Half of all business owners have found incorrect information in their online listings. 73% consumers will not trust local businesses if their online listings are incorrect.
You can avoid falling prey to these alarming statistics by making sure you regularly review your directory listings. You can keep track of all the directory listings that you have and adjust any key information about your business to quickly update your listings.
Use top keywords in your descriptions
Directories consider how closely your content matches the search criteria when listing your listing. To ensure that you reach the right audience, it is essential to include core keywords in your directory listings.
To get a better idea of the keywords that you should use in your content, you can look at the directory listings of your competitors or use free keyword tools.
WordStream’s free keyword tool can help you locate terms that you want to include in your directory listings.
Use high-quality photos whenever possible
We saw many directory listings that allow you to upload photos to your company’s profile. This will help you stand out from your competition and catch the attention of your target audience.
As the old saying goes, “a picture speaks louder than a thousand words.” Photos in your directory listing can communicate concepts that text cannot. High-quality photos can let your customers see what your storefront looks like so they can find you in person.
Directory listings can be your new secret weapon
Without directory listings, a business can’t thrive. It’s fine if you don’t have enough time to set up many at once. Pick a few and prepare your listing information beforehand so that you can quickly set up your profiles.
Here’s a recap of our top directory listing websites:
-
Google Business Profile
-
Yelp
-
Facebook
-
Instagram
-
Better Business Bureau
-
Apple Business Connect
-
Yellow Pages
-
MapQuest
-
Dun & Bradstreet
-
Foursquare
-
Chamber of Commerce
-
EZ Local
-
Judy’s Book
-
We Are Women Owned
-
Support Black Owned
-
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
-
HubSpot Solutions Directory
-
Thumbtack
-
Angi
-
Nextdoor
-
Merchant Circle
-
US Small Business Directory
WordStream first published the post 22 Best Directory Listings For Any Business (+Optimization Tip).