People go online for many reasons, and one of these is to search for information about a local business.
In fact, more and more people nowadays rely on local search sites to get them where they need to go or acquire enough information before making any purchases.
That is why it is important that you optimize local business listing and make your business visible on the internet. Each listing you create for your business is a chance for a customer to find your products or services. If you have a physical storefront, it increases foot traffic, thus could skyrocket your earning potential.
However, if you’re reading this blog post, chances are you are wondering why your business listings don’t work.
In this article, I am going to tell you why your listings aren’t working, and tips on how to maximize your business listings and generate leads that convert into sales.
Why are my listings not working?
Every day, millions of people are finding themselves on your site and leaving without converting because you don’t have all the details for their address or phone number.
So right off the bat, here’s the golden question:
How accurate are your listings across all online platforms?
This can be in Google Map, Google My Business, social media channels, and websites. Brightlocal gave the top sites consumers most commonly go for local business information:
- 89% – Google
- 48% – Facebook
- 32% – Instagram
- 18% – Siri
Believe it or not, people care about the accuracy of the information on local businesses more than you might think.
Brightlocal also found out that 63% of consumers said incorrect information would stop them from choosing your business.
This only means one thing: It’s costing you money.
Some websites do directory listings that just copy and paste information without doing any validation. Once you put incorrect information, the effect goes a long way.
Here are other valuable insights Brightlocal found out in their recent surveys:
Top sources consumers expect to hold accurate information on a local business:
- 73% says the business website
- 43% says social media
- 43% say online directories.
Furthermore, 16% say voice assistants like Siri or Google Home will provide them with correct data before they decide which company to purchase from.
When consumers used business information sites in the last 12 months, they mostly looked for new locations to visit – 66% of them.
Meanwhile, almost half (47%) were looking up businesses that are near their current location and 41% wanted to find out more about a specific brand or company.
And lastly, here are the business listings information that can cause customers to lose trust if they are incorrect:
- 66% Phone Number
- 60% Address
- 49% Business name
- 48% Opening Hours
- 46% Email Address
- 45% photos
These findings tell us a lot about the importance of the accuracy of local listings. Other than that, here are also 3 major reasons why you should
So how do you set up your local listings for success?
Create Google My Business Account
Google My Business has become the cream of the crop when it comes to local search and optimize local business listing.
Claim your listing on Google My Business and ensure that you put all the basic information: NAP+W (Name, Address, Phone Number + Website).
To ensure that your Google My Business listing is optimized, use your account to create Google Posts. Also, encourage your previous clients to share their reviews and experiences with you online.
Very important: Respond to the reviews and be specific about them. Here’s an example:
“Thank you for your wonderful feedback on (product/service they availed) in (city, state). We appreciate your input and we look forward to doing business with you again in the future. Once again thank you from the (company name) team.”
Another important and ongoing work to keep your listings optimized is to make sure that all information, especially NAP+W is updated and correct.
Share your Google posts on social media
Social media platforms are a great tool to share, communicate and create conversations about your business — or in other words, make your business engaging.
Now, Google considers shared content on social media important because it aligns with social and searches.
Consistency is the key
You can just post something now and then disappear after a while. Optimizing local listings is a continuous task so that it can yield the desired traffic to your business and eventually turn into a conversion.
Moreover, any misspells, wrong abbreviations, or even just a wrong phone number and business hours can greatly affect your Google ranking.
If this happens, Google cannot determine which information about your business is correct, and eventually, remove your business in the search results.
Speaking on consistency, you can also apply this to your social media postings. It gives an impression that you are hands-on in your business. It also humanizes your brand because it gives an impression that you are reachable. You can engage and communicate and even grow a community — just by being consistent in social media.
Have a website
Professional websites are like your storefront. It brings credibility and gains confidence and trust from consumers.
But your website must be well maintained and speaks out the brand of your business. Look for a website design and hosting near you because they know the culture and environment you are in.
Also, make sure that you hire a professional website designer. There are a lot of scammy websites online, so make sure that yours does not look like one.
Also, having a website allows you to be creative in showcasing the things you can offer. It is also a great tool to convince prospective clients why you are the top choice.
To sum it all up:
NAP+W or Name, Address, Phone Number + Website are the three basic and most important information in your listings. Make sure that it is both accurate and consistent on all platforms.
Other information like hours and a link to your website also plays a significant role in building trust for your prospects. You know how frustrating it is to go to a business location and either you are too late or too early because the listed business hours are inaccurate.
Accuracy and consistency will significantly improve your online presence and improve customer experience, but these are just the first few steps.
Google, for example, has turned “Google My Business” into a more holistic solution for businesses.
Google added features so you can present your business, products, and services online, as well as engage your prospective customers.
And what’s best is that it’s FREE!
All you need to do is to continue posting about your business, use engaging images, and schedule your postings to fully optimize your google posts.
Truth is, optimizing local listings demands time, creativity, and overall marketing strategy. If you can’t do this, Garner Group Marketing can help you with digital marketing and branding.
Our mission is to help you focus on more important things like networking and turning leads into sales.
If you are looking for tried and tested Salisbury web design services and internet marketing in Maryland, check out Garner Group Marketing.
How to find Garner Group Marketing
Garner Group Marketing
26454 Pemberton Dr. Salisbury, MD 21801
www.GarnerGroupMarketing.com
443-978-7174
justin@garnergroupmarketing.com
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