Online Directories

[Coding Monkey]

There are a lot of posts about directories and whether they are reliable, so I thought it might be a good idea to have 1 topic that lists directories that people either have an advert in, or are considering placing an advert for others to answer. If you mention when you placed the advert, how much it costs and the success you've had, it would be helpful for everyone. I understand that some companies won't want to reveal the information, but I don't mind, so I shall begin!

Yell.com
Member since: May 2005
I've had a total of 3 clients from Yell.com, yet it wasn't until January of this year that any of them appeared, and anyone had even contacted us via Yell for a service. The advert cost £351 (inc. VAT) for year, and I've made back over £12000 from it.
I've found an incredible amount of spam results by being on Yell, and when looking at stats, if anyone visits via Yell, I will more than likely get a phone call from someone trying to sell me something, rather than wanting a website. Also, I've had over 10 people apply for a job opening, that doesn't exist, as they simply type in "website designers" with the location as "UK". All the same, I find the people who call for our service are always more eager than via other online advertising, such as Adwords, and perhaps that's because of the local factor.

I will revise my subscription.

[creacom]

This is very useful info Tom thanks. We havent taken out a lot of ads in directories but its something we are weighing up right now.

Anyone else got some feedback about them ? Has anyone used the likes of matren.co.uk who are supposed to be quite good too ?

Jacqui :D

[JustOneUK]

wow £351 :shock:

I am just revamping my UK Business Directory (http://www.j1uk.com/) I now charge a WHOLE POUND. :oops:

[ewo]

This one is worth a look, it's Local Business Marketing (LBM):

Each client page stands alone – you are not listed alongside your competitors in your location (Compare this to pretty well any other directory)
Each client page can only be seen after a customer response to a link in a search engine – LBM itself is not searchable (as above)
The Google Local entry and their Sponsored links are on page 1 of Google (Miva ask you to “bid” for position)
LBM generates the keywords and areas directly from the client page content, therefore the client ads are highly relevant to local targeted searches (Unlike Yahoo)
Its one click from sponsored link to client page (others are a minimum of 2, sometimes 3 or more clicks)
The client gets their own 0800 number, each of which is TPS registered and thus no cold calls (unlike Miva/Yahoo where you share an 0800 and an extension)
The 0800 is backed by a UK 24 hour call centre, ensuring the client never misses an inbound call (unlike Miva/Yahoo where the call goes through to a nominated number – usually the client landline – not much use if you’re not there)
Leads are taken by the call centre and are emailed/texted over straightaway (no issues about where the client is)
If the call isn’t a lead then you don’t pay for it (unlike Yahoo where its paid regardless of whether it’s relevant, ditto Miva)
The leads cost £5, Yahoo’s are £15, and Miva’s are variable dependent on where the link appears
LBM advertises clients to the audience they want, where they want it. LBM only limits the ads to the defined client business. (unlike everyone else)


The address is localbusinessmarketing.co.uk - and, if you'll be so kind, put /?aff=F001 afterwards, as I'm an affiliate :)

[Coding Monkey]

Sorry, ewo, but that site looks just like any of those other affiliate websites which I wouldn't invest a penny in. I think comparing any website to Yahoo is a bit of a leap, as Yahoo are aeons ahead of that website (and pretty much any in relation to the amount of traffic they receive).

Another website people might want to consider (but I've received nothing from) is FirstRateDirectory (http://firstratedirectory.co.uk/). I would be interested in what success people have had from Thompson.

[ewo]

Sorry, ewo, but that site looks just like any of those other affiliate websites which I wouldn't invest a penny in. I think comparing any website to Yahoo is a bit of a leap, as Yahoo are aeons ahead of that website (and pretty much any in relation to the amount of traffic they receive)..I'm not sure what you mean by one "of those affiliate sites". The fact that the owner runs an incentive scheme for happy customers to spread the word shouldn't stop people from buying into it. But you're not suggesting that, are you?
Another website people might want to consider (but I've received nothing from)Wait a second, you are suggesting that aren't you?

LBM does not seek to compare itself to Yahoo's web site. I'm not sure that you've actually read the post. LBM places ads in Google Local - which can be compared with Yahoo's Sponsored links, and is, in fact a far cheaper option - Yahoo charges £15 per lead, and cannot guarantee the veracity of validity of that lead; LBM charges £5 and will only pass that lead on once it has been qualified.

[creospace]

If you manufacture something then www.esources.co.uk is well worth a look.

It's quite new but I've put my wife on there (well not here but her business) and we've had a few enquiries but expect them to increase as the site gains popularity. It's nicely done too and seems very professional.

Gary

[Coding Monkey]

Wait a second, you are suggesting that aren't you?

No, that was another comment related to ANOTHER website. I'm not sure that you've actually read the post.


LBM does not seek to compare itself to Yahoo's web site. I'm not sure that you've actually read the post. LBM places ads in Google Local - which can be compared with Yahoo's Sponsored links, and is, in fact a far cheaper option - Yahoo charges £15 per lead, and cannot guarantee the veracity of validity of that lead; LBM charges £5 and will only pass that lead on once it has been qualified.

Your post was comparing the website to Yahoo's charges, you even did it above. It's like comparing the Million Dollar Homepage to all the other copycats; or, as a better example, like comparing how an established company with billions of hits a month is capable of charging more than a small company, that won't receive anywhere near the number of visitors. That was my point. If I setup a directory website and charge £300/y for it, how many people would suddenly join? None, I reckon. Yet Yell.com have no problem, because of the visitor quality. Hence, their prices.

And, to verify, that website looks like a scam, as in it looks like every other affiliate website that offers brilliance, until you enter your credit card details. Whether it is, I don't care, cos I wouldn't spend a penny on it. It looks like all the other affiliate websites, and therefore fails me. You can go on about what they've done, but perception is reality. Just some advice. That was my point about the service.

[ewo]

First of all, this is not my site. I'm a contented customer of that site.

Second, LBM is not comparing itself with Yahoo; LBM, as a site, is entirely beside the point in this case. LBM simply places ads on Google, for less than Yahoo charges to place ads on Yahoo, and 'throws in' a TPS registered 0800, plus call centre.

I repeat, the amount of "hits" LBM gets is completely and utterly irrelevant.[/b]

[ewo]

I absolutely agree and would want to walk back from the edge. However, I don't believed the penny has dropped...

LBM is not a directory - it is a Google LOCAL ad placement and delivery method.

[creospace]

it is a Google LOCAL ad placement and delivery method.

What does it deliver though?

I had a quick look and all i can see is it costs £97 to join but you say its' £5 per lead? I would be happy with one or the other but not both. Besides i dont need an 0800 number?

Gary

[ewo]

The £97 is a set up fee - paying for the 0800 and call centre and for the placement (including keyword research) in Google Local Ads (that's the blue area at the top of Google, page 1), plus a landing page with your details on it (including the phone number). It's designed for people who don't have a web site, and/or aren't always contactable.

The offering is simple (from their web site): http://www.localbusinessmarketing.co.uk/images/lbm-cartoon.gif

The prospect gets directed to a landing page, similar to this: http://www.localbusinessmarketing.co.uk/campaign.php?campaignId=26 - which cannot be found by searching, but only by linking from the Google local ad - that way the ONLY people who call the 0800 are people who have qualified themselves, by clicking to the landing page and making the call.

Then you're informed by SMS immediately the call is taken.

I've been delighted with the service

[creacom]

Im happy that you are delighted with the service but has it generated a lot of business for you ?

Jacqui :D

[ewo]

It's certainly generated more business for my clients (I run a small advisory service for startups) than any other comparable method, including referral-based networking and local newspaper advertising. And given that it's only been running a short time, I'm happy to recommend it for just that reason.

I repeat, this is aimed specifically at businesses looking for local clientele. It's cost effective and brings genuine customers - but if you're already online, or looking for national or international prospects, then LBN is not for you.

[ewo]

I thought I'd show you this demo of how the system works. Remember, it's designed specifically for people who DON'T have a web site, or are not always contactable

the demo is at: http://tinyurl.com/zzz7r
and the site, proper is at http://tinyurl.com/fb6wo

Have a look

[PeteA]

DMOZ is great if you can get in, they seem to take forever though

[OnlyOptionMediaLtd]

Is Google Local Effective?

I can't see it making much effect.

Are any only local services effective?

[Mwebb]

I run an online directory of car valeting companies. It is paid to be included, but there is one twist to it.
Each and every person that advertises a car for sale on our website, gets recommended that they have their car professionally valeted before it is viewed for sale. ( Logical really. You wouldn't see a dirty car on a used car forecourt, if you did you probably wouldn't buy it)
Using postcode matching, the seller is recommended a valeter within 15 miles of them. So far we have got several valeters signed up to this as they see the potential for ROI, against such directories as YELL.com etc.

And to date it appears to be working, so all good.

Our signup page is: http://www.justcarsonline.co.uk/ValeterReg.aspx
It has some examples on it of what the valeters get, and the customers see.

Our public accessible directory is: http://www.justcarsonline.co.uk/Valeters.aspx ( At present this is not set up with the postcodes stuff-just town name recognition)

I feel this is a much better form of advertising for businesses. Actually putting them in front of customers when they are needed, rather than just in a huge directory people have to trawl through to find them.

Michael

[Mwebb]

I forgot to mention. This page: http://www.justcarsonline.co.uk/Valeters.aspx is also listed number 1 on google for "find a local valeter" Thats also why it is such a good deal compared to yell.com and other online advertising methods.