In the golden age of the internet, it can be difficult to make your content seen. Whether you’re promoting your business for sales, to gain customer traction at your restaurant, or just trying to be seen in your local community, a quick search can yield thousands of results. That’s why it’s so important to register your local business with an online business directory.
In our last article ( Check Here ), we provided not only one online directory but fourteen of them! We also talked about what an online directory is, the benefits of registering your business, as well as the importance of backlinks to gain traction. In this article, we’ll provide another comprehensive list of sites you can register your local business with, as well as whether they’re free or paid options, because we know every penny counts!
Let’s crack into it:
We’ll start with our own directory, just in case you need a refresher! Great American Buy Local is free and easy to sign up with. We also promote your business across different social media channels to help your business reach organic traffic. We also include blogs and articles to assist you with your online business journey.
Another great option is one of the internet’s biggest corporations: Facebook. The Facebook Business feature allows you to not only have a social media presence, but you can also create ad space, promote posts and services; and it gives your business a face so your customers know what you stand for. To create an account is free, and you can schedule posts, add your business hours, menu or services, photos, and other information that’s valuable to your business. To use the ad features, you will have to pay, but much like Google Ad’s you can set the amount you’re willing to spend on a monthly budget, or you can pay as you go depending on the needs of your business.
Speaking of internet titans, Google My Business is a feature through Google that allows you to manage your business listing on Google Search. Through Google My Business, you can update your business information, respond to reviews, and if you choose you can utilize Google Ads through your My Business page as well. Ads are again a paid feature, but to create an account and to list with Google My Business is free.
Bing utilizes business and search ads the same as Google, so registering your business with Bing can only be beneficial for your small business! It’s easy to do, and like the other listings it has free and paid features depending on your needs.
The BBB is an organization that’s been trusted by the public for many years. It’s an online directory that showcases your local businesses trustworthiness as well as your commitment to transparency. Like Google, Yelp and other online directories, you’ll receive a score and reviews of your business will also be listed , increasing your connection to your community.
Angie’s list, like few other directories mentioned in this list, allows someone in your community to search by category and need. It provides a review and rating system, and it’s easy to register local businesses through their site.
Register your local business with Yelp to not only reach a new customer base, but to give others the opportunity to review your business! Yelp is based on customer reviews and ratings, and is a trusted source not only for restaurants but also for other industries as well! It’s easy, it’s free, and it will expand your reach.
Thumbtack is a website and an app that brings customers to your business. When you register local businesses with them, they provide leads submitted by people in your community looking for services. Whether it’s wellness, home improvement, private lessons or other services, your business can find a niche! It’s easy to sign up and completely free.
- Chamber of Commerce
Your local chamber of commerce is a great place to look as well! Your local chamber is a trusted source of information for your community, and they have an online directory where locals can find your business.
Show Me Local is another free site that works like Yellow pages. You register your business, and then people in your area can search based on their needs. You provide a phone number, address, and website link, and Show Me Local will list your site under the selected keyword for your business.
Local is a pay-per-lead online directory. If you want a site to boost your business and you have some extra cash, this is a great option. It’s not the same expense as Google ads, and you’re still reaching people in your local community who are looking for your services.
- 411
411 is an extension of the Yellow and White pages. However, this is a great option because it gives people the option to search online or dial 411 and be connected to you. The steps to register with 411 are a little trickier but very worth it to continue reaching out to your community.
Yelp is great for a number of reasons. It’s free, it only shares your business with people in the area, and it’s a great way to build trust! Customers who have used your services or have visited your store can review, rate, and share pictures of your great work!
The benefit of FourSquare is it’s real time geo-locating. People can share their location to your business, as well as review and rate like other online directories. It also shows local favorites versus chains, which is helpful when trying to find new customers or clients.
YellowPages has since transformed from a thick phonebook to both an online directory and an app! It’s a huge asset to have when trying to reach new customers, as well as get your business name out to your community.
This online directory is free but also gives you a free score so you can see how you stack up against competitors. This is great because then you know what customers are saying and what they’re looking for, allowing you to get an edge in your industry. Our previous article also stated that you’re able to post deals as well as business information.
Merchant Circle gives business owners and consumers the ability to rate and review, as well as respond to comments. It’s free to sign up, but they do have paid features as well to boost your reach across the platform. You can also post deals on the website for those in your community to take advantage of.
Nextdoor is an interesting online directory because not only are you able to reach your local community when you register a local business, but you can also list deals and events happening with your business. It’s also free to register!
Networx is an online directory built for contractors. They promote your business and find leads for you to boost calls that lead to clients. While it’s pay-per-lead, it’s free to sign up, and like Google Ads, you can pause your leads at any time without consequence.
HotFrog is another free online directory that allows you to register your local business for free and gain leads or traction in your community. It’s easy to sign up and validate your business online.
With Trip Advisor you can sign up for free and take advantage of the tools they provide. The advantage of Trip Advisor is that not only can you reach local customers looking to try something new, but anyone coming to visit your town or city can find you as well!
Manta is another fantastic resource for contractors looking to gain more projects or showcase their services. Like eLocal it’s free with paid features that can help boost your visibility.
Cylex-USA provides an online directory for an array of business categories, from both small and large size businesses. It’s a free service with premium features that you can pay for if you would like to try them.
CitySearch is a location-based directory that actually reads the user’s current location and suggests businesses based on that location. For reference, I actually tried it and it was a pretty cool way to see what was around me! It does take some work to get onto CitySearch, but there’s a detailed guide here, and it is free to sign up and use so there’s no loss!
American Towns is exceptional for small towns and small businesses. It not only provides ways to connect the community to business, but users can also see what’s happening with school systems, local government, town activities, and other assets that can be utilized to help you promote your business.
When it comes to the online world, there are many ways you can promote your business. Online directories are one way to get your name out there. This article covered only a few of the choices you have to register for local businesses, but there are plenty out there that may fit your needs!
