Depending on where you are located, different directories have a different amount of force & influence on a local market. Therefore, local search directories actually need to be fine-tuned according to your specific locations. Please contact us if you’d like a top-10 list for your local market.
This checklist is predominantly designed with Google in mind but certainly applies to the other listing services as well.
- Assure your listing is complete on Google, Yahoo and Bing. Double check all info with getlisted.org.
- Make sure you do not have duplicate listings with the same company name, address and phone number.
- Your physical address needs to be within the city of search. Consider having an address as close to the city center as possible. Proximity of your listing to the center of the city is a huge factor here.
- Make sure your page is verified.
- Make sure you are listed within the proper categories.
- The address on your website should be exactly the same as it is on your website, with the Google map embedded on the site.
- The business name on your other web listings match EXACTLY.
- The phone number on your website matches your listings.
- Your local listing includes your area code
- Your city is in the title of a location page on your website.
- If you have multiple locations, each location listing should point to the location landing page on your website.
- Assure you are listed in as many other business directories as possible. Google watches this for credibility.
- Keep enticing your customers to review you. The volume of Google reviews is important.
- Add photos to your listing.
- SEO practices of the main website influence the Google maps ranking factors, so make sure the SEO of your main site is up to snuff.
- Velocity of reviews is monitored as well. In other words, keep it consistent. Don’t load up on reviews one month and do nothing for several months thereafter.
- Add a review button to your website that links directly to your Google My Business page.
Stephan Boehringer is the CEO of Get The Clicks, a web marketing company. Stephan has over 20 years of experience in the field of web marketing, and has been a speaker and consultant for many years. Stephan is passionate about web marketing and helping their clients be the best they can be.
Stephan Boehringer graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services.
