Knowing that your business is doing all the right things to have an effective online presence isn’t easy.
Although there are tons of resources available to help us have a better understanding on how to do so, discovering how deep and wide something like search engine optimization (SEO) is can often lead to more headaches, not less.
Directory Listings
Because SEO can seem shrouded in mystery, let’s not forget what we’re talking about. You probably know what a search engine is, but let’s take a look at the definition of optimization:
an act, process, or methodology of making something (as a design, system, or decision) as fully perfect, functional, or effective as possible;
The goal with SEO then is to make your web presence as “fully perfect” as it can be. It really is that simple. First by making it discoverable, then as “effective as possible” once someone discovers it. Pursuing a perfect web presence doesn’t mean there is a one-time solution, as much as we’d like to hope otherwise. The most effective SEO is an ongoing practice of monitoring and taking steps toward making it better, adapting to the ever-changing environment of the internet and your buyer’s behavior.
Part of this ongoing practice is a service we call Rocket Listings. This is a directory service that gives you a snapshot of your presence across the web through 60+ directories like Google, Bing, Facebook, Yahoo, Mapquest, and more. While directory listings aren’t THE solution to all your SEO woes, it is a crucial part of any SEO strategy.
Why Directory Listings are Important for local SEO
For Google to remain the #1 search engine in the world, it needs to continue providing incredibly useful information that is organized and easy to understand. They do their best to ensure the accuracy of that information and go to great lengths to make it happen (think Google Street View). But without the partnership of the particular place of interest, business, or web presence it will never be complete, much less fully perfect.
Search engines value complete, organized information and Rocket Listings ensures that happens. In fact, one of the top 10 local search factors is structured citations like you find on sites like YellowPages and Yelp. You could say that the more places that you are the better, but it isn’t quite that simple. The quality of those locations matter as well.
Think of it this way: Have you ever driven through Tyler and had one of those tiny signs with “Cheap Insurance” or something similar handwritten on it with a phone number below catches your eye? Would you be more comfortable calling that number or someone connected to a national brand like Allstate presented to you on a billboard? The authority of the directory listing matters. Being listed on credible directories in the right places will benefit you greater than being on random “street corners” of the internet that have no relevance to where you are located or what you do. Getting attention matters, but you don’t want to sacrifice quality for quantity. Rocket Listings provides you the best of both worlds.
Following close behind the quality of structured citations for SEO are the consistency of the citations. If the site itself or a random person who uses a search directory inputs your business information on your behalf, the likelihood that it matches the rest of your presence online is slim. Being that the consistency of local listings is considered the #1 difference maker in competitive markets for local search, it isn’t something to take lightly.
Imagine you own “John D’s Bait & Tackle” on a nearby lake. The way your business is named across the web matters. If you’re “John’s Tackle Shop” to Bing and “John D’s Fishing Supplies” on Yelp, you are sure to lose important local search ranking from those simple differences. Variations of the address or phone number will also have negative outcomes. You may be tempted to ignore other directories that you personally don’t use on a consistent basis but remember that users or the directories themselves can input information on your behalf. The importance of managing your presence on the web couldn’t be overstated: if you’re not managing your brand, someone else will.
Reviews and Local Search
Once someone is able to find your business, the goal is to deliver something of value to your customer in exchange for dollars. Whether it is a product or service, this the most crucial step to keep the doors open but it shouldn’t stop there. It’s often said that word of mouth is the strongest form of marketing, and the internet has made this truth even more apparent. Online reviews are extremely influential on consumer decision making and local SEO so we’ve included review monitoring with Rocket Listings.
With consistent and complete listings through 60+ directories, managing reviews on each can feel a bit overwhelming. Because personal responses to reviews (even negative ones) are important, we will notify you when someone has reviewed your business so you can continue building relationships with your customers after they visit you.
Our Directory Listing service only places your business within directories that will boost your organic search ranking and credibility across the web. When we pair this with more complex SEO work and a content marketing strategy that professionally represents your brand, you not only have a web presence that is effective but the peace of mind that comes along with it.
Would you like to know how your business or service is presented on the web? Contact us and we will send you a free your report!
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