No more questioning if online listings are important for your business’ success. Your clients are looking for companies just like yours, and they will pick a company whose information is easy and quick to find. Listings on Apple Maps, Google, car GPS, and home devices like Alexa and Siri are a crucial part of this. Still not completely convinced to get your online listings set up?
Here are 5 reasons why online listings are important for your business:
1. Get Found by Potential Clients
Everyone expects every bit of information to be instantly at our fingertips, so why would your potential customers be any different? No matter where they are looking or how they are searching, your business needs to be there.
2. Accurate Information for Potential Clients
Even if you did not set one up, your business may have an online listing profile that you do not know about, but clients have found it. If you don’t have control of this listing, you also don’t have control over any inaccurate information that is out there about your business. Yikes! We see a LOT of inaccurate phone numbers and addresses out there! 80% of consumers lose trust in a local business if their online information is incorrect. When you take control of your online listings, you can be sure that all of your business information; address, phone number, hours, etc. is correct — so you do not lose your customers trust and business.
3. Easily Direct People to Your Website
Almost all online listings have a direct link to your website, which increases your chances to have more website traffic. Increased website traffic means more opportunities for your business to leave lasting impressions, generate quality leads, and a higher chance for your brand to be shared amongst consumers. Increased direct traffic is also important for SEO as it lets Google know your domain is valuable to other consumers. And if that isn’t enough to convince you, hundreds of people can click to call or click to get driving directions in seconds from an accurate online listing. You want this!
4. Stay Top of Mind for Your Clients
Have you ever seen an ad for your mechanic and remembered it’s time for an oil change? The same happens with online listings. If you use a business Facebook page or Google Business Profile, you can share company updates and events that keep you top of mind for your clients. So, the next time they need your service you will be their first thought.
5. Build Trust with Prospects
Just as having accurate information online builds strong relationships with your clients, so do reviews. In fact, 9 out of 10 consumers say reviews affect their decision to work with local businesses or not. Lots of recent reviews build trust with prospects deciding to do business with you. Quality reviews serve as essential trust signals that help AI-powered search algorithms like Google’s identify your business as credible and worthy of higher visibility in search results. Once you gain control of your online listings, you can work with current customers to get reviews on your listings for prospects to see in order to build your brand’s reputation.
Need Help Keeping Your Listings Accurate?
With the importance of online listings, it can feel overwhelming. You want all of your listings to have the same information, and to properly represent you and your business. But where do you start? Start with us and talk to us today!
