Internet Business Directories

by | Mar 30, 2016 | Interesting Websites

Series 4, Article 45

 

With today’s internet, we can find any business in the world by just Googling some vague information about it. Not only that, but we can map its location with a click of a button, go to their website, email them, call them from the computer with Skype, and read recommendations for that business from other consumers. Within 5 minutes we’ve compared 5 plumbers, their hours, prices, and distance to our home, liability insurance they carry, and read 5 recommendations, both good and bad.

 

It is imperative for your business to exploit every avenue of free directory listings available on the internet. And don’t stop there…. then ask your customers, clients and friends to add recommendations to those sights. People listen to recommendations. And these recommendations can make or break your business. Be pro-active in maintenance of your listings and be in control of who is commenting on and recommending your business.

 

The procedures to list your business will differ slightly on each, but each will have an option that says “List my Business” or “Claim your Business Listing”.

 

First, search for your business. If it’s not listed, list it. Your business may already be listed with just basic information. If so, there they will ask you to claim the business with ways to prove that you are the owner.

 

These directories have free options, but of course they will ask you to upgrade to a paid version which you don’t necessarily need to do.

 

Filling out the forms over and over again can be a big pain. Your computer may have Auto-Fill, but if not, you can save time by beginning with a cheat-sheet — a Word Doc with all of your pertinent business information to copy and paste. Include: business name, address, phone number, website, email address, number of years in business, owner’s name, and a brief description of your business.

 

BUSINESS DIRECTORIES:

 

  1. Google
  2. Bing
  3. Yahoo!
  4. Yelp
  5. Merchant Circle
  6. LinkedIn
  7. YellowPages.com
  8. Dex
  9. Whitepages
  10. Supermedia
  11. Yellowbook
  12. CitySearch
  13. Mapquest
  14. Biznik
  15. Local.com
  16. Foursquare
  17. ThinkLocal
  18. CitySlick
  19. USYellowPages
  20. SuperPages
  21. Outside.in
  22. UsCity.net
  23. BizJournals.com
  24. TeleAtlas
  25. JustClickLocal
  26. Manta
  27. Metrobot
  28. EZ Local
  29. LocalEze
  30. Kudzu
  31. Local Site Submit
  32. InfoUSA
  33. Yellow Assistance
  34. MojoPages
  35. Brownbook
  36. Magic Yellow
  37. CitySquares
  38. TeleAtlas
  39. Judy’s Book