Remember the days of thumbing through a four-pound phone book looking for a business? Those days are gone. Now, there are over five billion daily searches on Google alone and over 91 percent of consumers using the internet to look for local products and services. In today’s world it is vital that your business’s local directory listings are claimed and up-to-date — or you’ll be as out-of-date as the phone book.
What Does it Mean to Claim your Business Online?
By claiming your online directory listings, you are verifying that you are the business owner and that your business is a valid establishment. This validation and verification equips consumers with the trust and credibility needed to visit and return to your business.
Benefits of Claiming Your Local Listing
- Allows consumers to quickly find your business, contact information, location and website.
- Increases your visibility to search engines.
- Increases your overall business traffic (whether website or in-store traffic), potentially leading to more conversions and sales.
- Provides you with control over your reputation and online business presence.
How to Do This?
Google My Business is a free business profile platform to manage your local directory listings and help to reach and engage with local customers across Google Search and Google Maps.
There are also companies like Moz Local and Yext Listings, subscription-based services that allow you to manage several different local directory listings through one platform. This is by far the easiest route to go, ensuring accuracy, discoverability amongst the search engines and control over your business’ online presence.
Final Thoughts
Consumers seek online business listings when they’re prepared to make a purchase. Over 70 percent of people lose trust in a brand when its listings are incorrect. As the digital world is continuing to evolve, and user behavior continues to shift online, your brand needs to be present. It also needs to provide consumers with accurate and up-to-date information, or you may miss the sale. For more information on directory claiming for your food-related business, give us a call (985-377-7160) or email elizabeth@peoplewhothink.com.
Nicole Wetwiski, Director of Digital Marketing