There is a lot of talk about the importance of listing your business online. However, even though there are plenty of places to list a business, not all of them will benefit your company in the long run. Knowing which websites are the best for the type of business you run will help you get the most from your efforts. Here are a few suggestions of sites that will help you the most in the long run.
The word Google is such a popular part of the lexicon today that it’s synonymous with searching. Most consider a Google listing essential to success, and it is crucial to use the business-specific listings for the best results. These types of listings have replaced phone books as a reliable way to search for information. One of the significant advantages of a listing for your business on Google is being able to take advantage of local searches. Nearly half of all people performing an internet search are seeking local results, and you should avoid trying to reach areas that do not make up your target audience. Your Google listing will help you connect to these local prospects a lot more easily.
Bing
Bing provides a perfect way to boost business visibility. While not quite as popular as Google, listing your business on Bing still improves your exposure. One thing you should do with this search engine, as with Google, is to remember the importance of focusing on your local customers. You don’t want to do general campaigns that might result in irrelevant results for customers. Pick any keywords that you use according to what your customers are most likely searching for when using the engine. Avoid placing keywords in your copy based on traffic because this might include prospects looking for something different than what you offer.
Yelp
Yelp is an important place online to list a business, but it has its share of quirks that you need to be aware of. One helpful thing you should be mindful of is that you can ask your customers to leave reviews. Should anyone leave an inappropriate review, you do have the option of flagging it. One thing you should never do is underestimate the possibilities that the site provides as a learning tool. When you read the reviews that customers have left for other companies, you can see what they are doing right that makes people happy or what customers are less than thrilled about. You can also see how they respond to a customer who gets angry.
As frustrating as social media can sometimes be, it’s never a good idea to overlook the importance of a Facebook presence. Having a Facebook page for your business helps increase your chances of reaching more potential customers. You should always assume that people looking for companies like yours might check out this network. One thing you need to avoid doing is using your page on Facebook as a substitute for a full website. Many companies make this mistake, not realizing that customers without a Facebook account will not have full access to the features. You will attract more customers using this service to supplement a standalone website.
LinkedIn has a reach of over 65 million users, making it an important resource to consider. The site has a lot of value for making connections and recommendations. However, you should not stop with this passive type of promotion. Be sure to pursue active promotion as well. Post regular status updates that are different from your updates on other sites. Join groups related to your profession, but avoid using them solely for the promotion of your business.
Many Instagram users are unaware of the fact that business accounts are available. Should you decide to upgrade, fill out the extra contact details that you believe are relevant. You might see more sales and contacts when you take this step. Avoid sharing information unrelated to your business on your profile. You’ll not only send an inconsistent message, but you might also offend some followers, depending on what you share. Always try to share updates that would be worthy of inclusion in a display ad, but don’t make all your content explicitly promotional.
Knowing which sites to use for listing your business will go a long way toward increasing your brand’s visibility. The more people who are aware of your business and what you have to offer, the more likely you are to get sales.
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