If you’re like most people, you probably think that keeping your business’s local listings up to date is a pretty simple task. You might even think that all you need to do is log into one of the many online directories and make sure your NAP – name, address, and phone number – is accurate.
But if you want to stay ahead of the competition and rank higher in search engine results pages, then you need to go above and beyond the basics of online listings management. Here are seven hacks that experts use to get their local business listings noticed – and they’re not afraid to share them with you!
Image source: pixabay.com1. Optimize your business listings for specific keywords.
When potential customers search for businesses like yours, they’re likely to use specific keywords or phrases. For example, someone looking for a new car might search for “buy a car.” But someone who’s just trying to find a dealership in their area might search for something like “car dealerships near me.”
Make sure your business’s local business listings management tasks include the keywords and phrases that potential customers are actually searching for. This will help you show up in more relevant search results and get noticed by people who are actually interested in what you have to offer.
2. Add photos and videos to your listings.
People love visuals, so make sure your local business listings include photos and videos. This is a great way to show off your products or services and give potential customers a taste of what they can expect from your business.
Including visuals in your listings will also help you stand out from the competition. After all, most businesses don’t bother to add photos or videos to their listings, so this is an easy way to make yours stand out.
3. Include detailed descriptions.
When potential customers see your local business listing, they should have a pretty good idea of what your business is all about. So make sure your listing includes a detailed description of your products or services.
Include information like what makes your business unique, what you offer that other businesses don’t, and what your customers can expect when they do business with you. The more detailed and informative your listing is, the more likely it is that potential customers will take the time to check it out.
4. Use structured data.
Structured data is code that you can add to your website to help search engines understand the content on your pages. This is important because it helps them index your pages properly and show them in relevant search results.
According to a reputable SEO Agency, adding structured data to your website is a bit technical, so you might need to hire a developer to do it for you. But once it’s done, it can really help improve your visibility in search results.
5. Claim your listings.
If you haven’t claimed your local business listings, then you’re missing out on a valuable opportunity to control the information that potential customers see about your business. When you claim a listing, you can add photos, videos, and descriptions, as well as make sure that your NAP – name, address, and phone number – is accurate.
Claiming your listings also gives you the ability to respond to reviews, which is important for building trust with potential customers. And if you have multiple locations, claiming your listings will allow you to manage them all from one central dashboard.
6. Optimize your website for local SEO.
Make sure your website is optimized for local SEO – search engine optimization. This means including city and state names in your titles and meta descriptions, as well as your website’s content. It also means adding your NAP to your website and listing it on directories like Google My Business and Yelp.
SEO Services Chicago reiterates that local SEO is important because it helps you show up in relevant search results for potential customers who are searching for businesses like yours in their area.
7. Get listed in local directories.
In addition to claiming your listings on major directories like Google My Business and Yelp, make sure your business is listed in other local directories as well. There are dozens of these types of directories, so it’s worth taking the time to find the ones that are most relevant to your business and submit your listing to them.
Some of these directories are free, while others charge a small fee. But either way, it’s worth it to get your business listed in as many of them as possible.
By following these tips, you can make sure your local business listings are optimized for maximum visibility and reach. This will help you attract more potential customers and grow your business.
