One of the most important local search optimization (or local SEO) efforts your business should invest in is setting up local business listings across the web. By adding important information like your business name, address, phone number, website URL, hours of operation, and more in the right places online, you make it easier for potential customers in your local area to find you. Where should you be adding your local business listings?
Google My Business
Google My Business is a must for all small business owners. Roughly 33% of consumers are searching for local businesses daily, and since Google is the most widely used search engine, adding your NAP data directly to Google is a necessity. Setting up a Google My Business listing is a quick process. Once you’ve claimed and verified your listing, you have access to a wide selection of features all designed to help you reach your customers.
Top Features for Local Businesses:
- Your address will automatically be added to Google Maps with a red pin.
- You have access to Google Posts, which allow you to post offers, announcements, and events.
- You can add any products or services you offer right on the listing.
- You can have customers leave reviews directly on your Google My Business listing, which can serve as a strong trust signal for new customers.
- You can post photos of your business to your listing.
Bing Places
Like Google My Business, Bing Places offers you another direct line to add your local listing information to a widely used search engine. Best of all, setting up and verifying your Bing Places listing is just as easy as setting up a Google My Business listing. Once your business is verified on Bing, you have complete access to the listing and its features.
Top Features for Local Businesses:
- Your business location is automatically added to Bing Maps.
- You can manage multiple locations listings from one place.
- You can link your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages directly to your listing.
Yelp
Yelp has long been one of the largest online local business directories for customers to review businesses and their services. Yelp results can even be found on the first page of local search results in Google for specific business categories. And since reviews play a vital role in customers choosing a business, having your information available on Yelp for customers to find can be a great asset.
Top Features for Local Businesses:
- You can add photos of your business to make it easier for customers to identify you.
- You’re able to integrate a restaurant menu to allow customers to see what you offer.
- You can include “Check-In” offers with your listing, encouraging new customers to get a discount.
- You can add calls-to-action buttons on your listing, making deals stand out more.
Yext
By using Yext, businesses have access to nearly 100 online directories, maps, apps and voice assistants instantly, putting your information in more places online than any of the other solutions. It’s also a great way to manage all of your information and data in one place. While it does take some time and costs a monthly fee, it’s a great resource for small business owners who are looking to maintain accurate information online.
Top Features for Local Businesses:
- You can upload photos and social media links across multiple listings, all from one dashboard.
- You can track analytic data like phone calls and website clicks through Yext’s data tool.
- You’re able to update multiple listings at once without needing to go to each one individually.
- You can find and correct any incorrect or incomplete listings across multiple online directories.
The Key to Local Search Success
Whether you’re just getting started with optimization efforts or it’s been a while since you’ve checked in with your local business listings, you should always be sure that your listings are consistent and found in as many relevant local directories as possible.
Consistency is a valuable trust signal for search engines when determining which businesses should be shown in local search results. If your business name, address, and phone number (or NAP data) is different on every business directory, search engines won’t know which listing is correct, which can keep your business from showing up in local search results. But with consistent local listing information across multiple directories, you increase the chances of potentially being seen more often in “near me” searches.
You don’t need to spend a lot of your marketing dollars to be successful with local SEO, which is what makes it so valuable for small businesses. As long as you manage your business information online, correct what’s wrong, and be consistent, your business will be on the right track to reach more customers online!
Need help setting up or managing your local listings? Hurrdat can help you claim, manage, and optimize your local search presence and stay in touch with your customers. Learn more about our search engine optimization (SEO) services!
