If you own a business, an online directory can help you drive traffic to your business, among other things. Read on to discover the 10 major benefits online directories provide.
Is it worth it to list your business in online directories?
You may remember the days when people would turn to the yellow pages or white pages for a certain type of business or a phone number.
That search has shifted online, with more people using mobile devices to search for information.
You have to put your business in the best position to be found by people who are looking for things to do in the UK, Family days out or those free activities to keep the children entertained.
Here are the top 10 reasons why you want to have your business listed in at least one online directory.
1. Referral Business
How much of your business is through referrals? For most businesses, referrals can be as much as 80% of new business. You might be n that range, too.
When a person is looking for things to do, they will typically start by asking people they know. They might get a couple of ideas. The first thing they’ll do is take their research online. They’ll then look up each idea, business, area and compare them.
If they can’t find your business online, then they’re not going to contact you. That business will go to your competition instead.
By having your business listed in online directories, you are making it easier for those referrals to find you.
2. You’re in Front of an Audience That’s Ready to Buy
If a person is actively searching for things to do in the U.K., it’s probable that they are actively looking proactively and as such it is likely you will receive custom the more you appear within searches.
In fact, 89% of people in the U.K. start the buying process by doing an online search.
Having your business listed in several highly targeted directories puts your business in front of customers who are ready to book now.
3. Cost of Online Directories
When the only options to be in a directory were the phone company’s yellow or white pages, it cost money just to have your business name in bold.
Forget about wanting to have your ad first in your category. That could cost you thousands of dollars a month, and you were locked into a 12-month contract.
Online directories are much more cost effective for small businesses. That levels the playing field for many businesses owners who want to stretch their marketing dollars.
4. Brand Awareness
You may already market your business in other ways to get your brand out to the public.
Whether it’s newspapers, TV, radio, or other forms of advertising, online directories connect your brand to those advertising efforts.
Your customers go along a buyer’s journey. They may become aware of your services through an ad, listing or recommendation. They’ll continue to see your brand in various places and they become interested in what it is you offer.
5. Customer Retention
It costs more money to acquire a new customer than it does to retain one.
When it comes time for them to use your services again, they may have lost your business card or forgotten your name. They may not have been getting your email newsletters, either.
Online directories can save the day.
If your customer was going to try to remember your business, they’d search online. If your business is nowhere to be found, they’ll use a competitor, even though they were pleased with your company.
6. People Get to Know Your Business Through Reviews
Online directories are great at telling people how amazing your services are. OK, it’s not the directories themselves, but your customers leaving a review of your services.
Customer reviews should be a big part of your online marketing strategy.
Almost 90% of consumers trust online reviews as much as a personal referral.
When they look at your business listing, they’re going to read reviews and they will contact businesses that have positive reviews.
7. Directories Establish a Local Presence
Online directories are becoming more important because of local search. More people are searching using voice and mobile devices and they’re searching for things locally.
These ‘near me’ searches have grown and you need to be positioned to take advantage of that. That’s why you want to target directories who have a great chance to be found when people are searching for “Things to do” “family days out” or ‘Things to do near me”
8. Better Chance to Be Seen on Google
It’s true that being listed in online directories will give our business more opportunities to be found.
There are organic search engine optimisation benefits that help your online presence, too.
There are a lot of things that Google considers in determining search results. The major ones are your location relative to the searcher, keyword content, having a mobile-friendly website, and backlinks.
A backlink is a site that links to your site. Whenever you list your business in an online directory, you’re giving your website a quality backlink. Google sees that as a positive sign and will rank your business higher than a site that doesn’t have backlinks.
9. Social Sharing Options
A complete profile in an online directory can tell a great story. A customer can visit your website, read customers reviews and have a positive impression of your company.
They may be so impressed they’ll want to share your company with their circles.
Online directories have social sharing options, which make it very easy to share your business.
10. Easy Competitive Research
Online directories also make it easier to keep an eye on your competition. You’ll be able to see when a new company enters your area.
Get Your Business Listed on County 2 County
Marketing a business can be hard work. Plus, you have to manage everything else within the business.
Getting listed in online directories can have many benefits, from retaining current customers to improved SEO.
If you’re looking for a targeted directory for services across the UK, highlighting the best of family days out, things to do, free activities, restaurants, Hotels and Camping, you’ve come to the right place.
