Improving local search presence is essential for any small or medium-sized business. Local search presence will help you to connect with your immediate market, and you’ll raise your brand presence and recognition. Even in smaller businesses, local competition can be incredibly tough, so you’re going to need to be able to rely on proven methods to help you get noticed.

If your local search is not what it should be, then listing in national business directories online should be one of your first priorities. Business directories will increase your exposure and can have a direct impact on your search presence. You can also gain legitimacy by listing on the right platforms. If you want to raise your local search presence in 2021, these are four directories that you shouldn’t ignore.

Yelp

Yelp is a combination of a business directory and consumer feedback site, and it’s an essential platform for modern companies. Consumers today are more connected than ever before. Most consumers will research your company before they choose to do business with you, and Yelp is one of the platforms that is most widely used. By listing your business here, you won’t just be making your name known, but you’ll be providing a place where users can leave ratings and reviews. Due to the dual nature of this site, you’ll need to make sure that you’re on top of your customer service game. Bad experiences will be reported here by users, so you’ll need to work hard to ensure that you make positive impressions that lead to valuable testimonials on Yelp.

Google My Business

Google is unquestionably the world market leader when it comes to search. If you want to be visible at all, then you’re going to have to get your business listed with this company. Google My Business is a service that will allow you to list your business details with the search giant. When you’re set up, you’ll have the best chance of appearing in local searches for your relevant business categories.

White & Yellow Pages

Online business directories are an extension of what we used to know as the White and Yellow  Pages. What you might not know, is that both of these business directories still exist. Instead of the large books that used to come out every year, consumers can now go straight to online directories to get Yellow Pages and White Pages listings. Placing your business on these directories will put your brand in front of millions of people, and you’ll have a good chance of increasing visibility for a local and national audience.

Bing Places for Business

Although Microsoft isn’t the leader in the search market, they are still the next best when compared to Google. If you want to be seen by as many people as possible on any device, then you’ll also need to list your company with Bing Places for Business. This will help bring local customers in contact with your business by providing contact information and map directions. Bing Places for Business is a direct competitor to Google My Business, so it’s one that you don’t want to ignore.

Business directories can improve both your local and national search results, and they should be seen as an integral part of your search optimization strategy. These are just four of the platforms available, but there are literally hundreds that are out there. The more listing you put your company on, the more Google and Bing will trust your company.  That translates to a better position in their local results. You’re a business owner. You have a ton on your plate. You could spend hours finding and adding your business to hundreds of directories, or I suggest you start with this software that will do most of the work for you. Or hire someone to do it for you, and get some additional SEO to really get traffic to your site.

Keep your listing information consistent and up to date, and you will find that national business directory online listings will drive traffic to your site and bring direct interactions over the phone and to your physical location.