subject: Advertising Through Local Business Listings [print this page] Local business listings are a combination of yellow pages information, business description, business marketing information, consumer reviews and consumer ratings.
The origins of the business listing go back to the early 1990s when search engines had directories listing businesses by categories in addition to their basic search results. These basic business listings gave way to business directories giving the business an opportunity to add more information to their business. Of course, while this evolution was taking place so did having the yellow pages on the World Wide Web. Business directories then gave way to the idea of rating a business with companies like Angies List, Merchant Circle and Yelp in social communities and in 2007 business listings began showing up in search engines and consumer reviews were already showing up in these local business listings.
A very big benefit of local business listings is that your link will be noticed, and indexed by the major search engines sometimes within minutes. The reason for it is the popularity of these sites, where constantly new information being posted, so the crawlers keep coming back for more.
The first option is the yellow pages that were major source of advertising for most small businesses. You had to have a business phone line to advertise and since the internet took over, the yellow pages have been providing diminishing returns for most business owners. The advertising is expensive and fewer people search the yellow pages, therefore, advertising rates go up every year.
You can also take another route by delivering and printing ads that announce new businesses and companies that are located in your own city. You can advertise restaurants, attractions, real-estate, physicians, and others by creating and developing attractive packages.
It is important to make sure that you detail the advantages of listing your business on the directory that can include the ability to add images, contact information, and their business description and business URL. Make sure to let them know about your route map which will show people exactly how to get to their business. Another important feature to tell about it, is the fact that they can go into their account any time and modify or update their listing.
Advertising through print, TV or radio is expensive, and will not always reach your target demographic. Local business listings allow you to reach targeted online consumers who are looking for your specific services. With a local business directory you don't have to break the bank to get good exposure online.
Most cities have about one to three quality online business directories so it will not be difficult to bring them up in your search and you can also type in the name of your city and the phrase, business directory. This should bring up a list of local online business directories in your area. Also, when it comes to search words or stating something specific such as 'cavity' instead of something more general like 'dentist' will bring up local directories more effectively. If you are not specific, you will end bringing up sites that are not related to the business you are searching for.
