70 Free Business Directories and Why You Should Use Them

70 Free Business Directories and Why You Should Use Them_Cover

Every day, 46%—almost half—of all Google searches have local intent. People are looking for local businesses online on a scale like never before. What are you doing to make sure your company is one they see?

At the least, you can take action to improve your SEO and ensure you appear high on any list of search results. Tweaking your website, writing a blog and regularly posting to your social media feeds are common tactics. But have you ever considered listing your company in a local business directory?

Using a free business directory is a helpful way to promote your business. These handy websites offer free business listings for local enterprises. And from these listings, customers are more likely to discover and patronize your business.

What’s a business directory?

Company directories have existed for a long time (remember the Yellow Pages?), long even before the online world took over. In today’s millennium though, local business directories have largely gone out of print and moved to the internet.

Today business directories are websites with large databases full of companies. The goal is convenience for customers, so the sites are indexed and searched by location, industry and more. Usually the listings are free and include general information like company name, phone number and address. The best free business listings include even more information like your website, hours, description and photos.

What are the benefits of using a business directory list?

At this point, you may be wondering if taking advantage of a local business directory is worth the effort. It is! There are three main benefits of listing your business on a company directory.

Business directory benefit #1: It’s free!

You simply can’t beat free. These free business listings only take about 10 minutes to update. So even if the listing brings you just one additional customer per year, the cost-benefit and time investment is well worth it.

Business directory benefit #2: You’ll get an SEO boost.

SEO gets a boost every time your site is indexed on another page. The more times your name and information appear on the internet, the higher up you’ll be in search engine results. And you’ll boost your credibility with Google.

Business directory benefit #3: Consumer confidence will be raised.

Customers care about consistency. When they see the same information everywhere your business is listed, they feel confident they’re dealing with a legitimate business. Claiming your free business listings is key to maintaining an overall cohesive brand.

To reap the full benefits, make each of your free business listings as complete and comprehensive as possible. Fill in every field, include an error-free description and add photos if possible. Creating complete listings will maximize the benefits of each company directory.

There’s no shortage of options for you here. You’re sure to find more than one business directory that’s appropriate for your product or service. When you do, you’ll enjoy improved SEO and better consumer confidence. So there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of free business listings!