Is it worth your time to get your business listed in online local directories in 2020? 

The short answer is yes! That is because directories play an essential role in your SEO, especially if you are only a small business. They can give you the edge you need to beat your competitors and attract your target customers to your brand. Put simply, being present in a local directory can give you the success you need to grow your business.

If you’re wondering how that’s possible, here’s a quick rundown of what it can do:

 1. Enhances brand exposure

Listing your company in a local directory increases its exposure right away. This happens because websites, such as Yelp, utilize such directories to index, cite, and review various businesses. In other words, when your brand is in a local directory, it will likely appear in other sites.

Not only will this increase your brand awareness, but it is a good indicator for search engines like Google. Search algorithms will view your presence on different directories as a sign that your business is credible and provides consistent information, which, in turn, boosts your SEO.

 2. Helps you build trust

When your business is listed on review sites, customers tend to trust you more. Search engines place a lot of value on a business’s trustworthiness. Anything you do that promotes trust will be noticed by search engines and effectively improve your rankings.

But how exactly does including your business in local directories increase its trustworthiness? Well, these directories act as a type of verification that your operations are legitimate and that the information you provide is accurate. This lets search engines know that your brand is worth doing business with, which positively impacts your rankings.

 3. Offers strong signals to search engines

The narrower the niche of your local online directory, the more signals search engines will receive to enhance your website’s SEO.

If you haven’t already added your business to niche directories, then it’s about time that you do. Be sure to include complete, accurate, and up-to-date information and remember to officially claim your listing. By taking advantage of niche directories, you get the chance to include content in your listing, improving your chances of attracting your target customer.

Note that some of these niche directories, especially those with a lot of competition, will require you to bid for leads. However, if you have the budget and know what you’re doing, paying for leads can certainly help your business grow!

Conclusion

As you can see, by merely making your business visible in online directories, you put your business on the path of growth! When search engines trust you more, and your brand gets exposed, more and more people will look for you when in need of the products or services that you offer. As a result, your business grows larger, allowing you to invest in even more directories, especially in paid directories that give plenty of value in terms of SEO.

Looking for an SEO expert to help grow your small business? Local SEO Pro is here to help you out! We offer a variety of services from link-building to review optimizations to improve your SEO and more. Reach out to us today!