Claiming your local business listing through various websites is the best place to start when you are trying to beat the local competition. It is also a good way to ensure that your business is categorized appropriately and your address, URL and phone number are up to date. Nothing can be more frustrating for business owners or a prospective clients than performing a search only to find that the top search results for your business gives a result with the wrong phone number or information posted online. Inaccurate business listings makes it more difficult for prospective clients to find your business and in some case can lead them to believe that you’ve gone out of business. - Your competition doesn’t mind this, but your bottom line will suffer.
If you think that claiming your local business listings is a waste of time or something that you can do later, consider that today 97% of consumers search for local businesses online and if your online profile is wrong you will miss out on business. With the increasing use of mobile phones it is expected that 50% of all search results will be done on mobile devices by 2013, which means that it is likely that even more prospective clients will find your local competition and you will miss out on gaining new clients and repeat business and referrals.
Claiming your local business listing will:
- Give you control over how the search engines index your business and website.
- Prevent others from hijacking your business listing.
- Improve your SEO rankings.
- Increase web and foot traffic to your business.
Most directories also allow for reviews of your business, but don’t let that stop you from getting listed. Today as much as 72% of consumers trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation. Getting reviews as well as getting your local business listings claimed and optimized are crucial for local businesses today.
If you have a local business and need help claiming your local business listings, search engine optimization or developing a online marketing strategy contact Patina Marketing. As online marketing consultants, we help local businesses optimize and claim their online business listings and develop long term marketing strategies that work. Call us today at 805-380-5494 or email us to find out more.
