What do you think about business directories?
- Thread starter didi_b
- Start date
Apart from Goole My Business ( used to be places ) https://www.google.co.uk/business/
I wouldn't list in any directories purely for SEO. List in directories that actually get used by your target audience. These are few and far between, but do exist.
I wouldn't list in any directories purely for SEO. List in directories that actually get used by your target audience. These are few and far between, but do exist.
Upvote
0
N
NickRink
It really depends on the nature of your business, but if you're specifically trying to attract local customers then certain directories are important. Their value is not just down to the fact that a potential customer may find you there but in the additional data that Google then sees about you.
There are tons of "citation" sites, as they're known, but it's generally simpler to focus on the main data sites rather than trying to track down all the individual directories. Begin with these ones and you'll be off to a decent start:
(Note of caution: if you work from home and don't want your address / phone plastered all over the web then this may not be the best option)
There are tons of "citation" sites, as they're known, but it's generally simpler to focus on the main data sites rather than trying to track down all the individual directories. Begin with these ones and you'll be off to a decent start:
- Google My Business
- my118.info
- Central Index
- Factual
- Foursquare
- Infoserve
- Scoot
(Note of caution: if you work from home and don't want your address / phone plastered all over the web then this may not be the best option)
Upvote
0
Another top tip, especially if using my118.info, unless you like to be called by 500 business energy companies, register your phone with TPS a moth before listing http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/number_type.html
Most (not all) marketing companies in the UK do abide by the law, so the number of calls are massively reduced.
Most (not all) marketing companies in the UK do abide by the law, so the number of calls are massively reduced.
Upvote
0
- Original Poster
- #9
Thank you everybody for the precious advise!
My website is not related to selling a certain product but to offering writing services for different small businesses. I am based in London but because I am freelancing I am happy to work with people across the country. As it is a new website (created a month ago), I was wondering what else I could do to promote it on the web at that stage (apart from writing blog articles and participating on social media). That is why I was wondering whether they business directories worth the efforts.
NickRink, thank you for that list. I will definitely look at the websites.
My website is not related to selling a certain product but to offering writing services for different small businesses. I am based in London but because I am freelancing I am happy to work with people across the country. As it is a new website (created a month ago), I was wondering what else I could do to promote it on the web at that stage (apart from writing blog articles and participating on social media). That is why I was wondering whether they business directories worth the efforts.
NickRink, thank you for that list. I will definitely look at the websites.
Upvote
0
Neither of those will help in the slightest. There a zillions of copywriters already out there all busy promoting their services so you need to work twice as hard to get noticed. One sure fire way to attract new clients is to advertise. Posting on SM isn't going to work unless you are answering questions. And to do that you need to be following an awful lot of people. Which is why advertising has a far better ROI.
But your site need a bit of work first. It's not going to generate a lot of business as it stands. Post in the website reviews forum to find out why.
Upvote
0
- Original Poster
- #11
Of course, I am fully aware that my website needs some more work but as I don't have over 30 posts, I am not able to add any links to this forum yet.
I also know that promoting a website requires months of constant hard work. Unfortunately, I cannot afford to dedicate all of my time on it, but do what I can in my spare moments.I don't have too big ambitions to get loads of clients through my website.However, it would be great to have good search engine results.
I am constantly learning new things and believe that step by step everything will get in its right place.
Last edited:
Upvote
0
- Original Poster
- #12
I am really not sure if it is a good idea to add my business to such directories. I have read a lot of infomation about them, and most of the professional marketers suggest that it will actually have a negative impact on your SEO efforts. My services are not something that I would like to promote just in my local area.
Upvote
0
M
Marcus Allen
If anything from an SEO perspective it helps to dilute your anchor text profile. Be selective though like recommended above.
It doesn't prevent you from ranking highly in other areas. Make sure you have landing pages with relevant content for the areas you want to target.
Blogging is great guest blogging too is very helpful in getting your word out.
It doesn't prevent you from ranking highly in other areas. Make sure you have landing pages with relevant content for the areas you want to target.
Blogging is great guest blogging too is very helpful in getting your word out.
Upvote
0
Besides Google My Business & citations here are 2 other considerations for local business directories -
1. Sometimes you'll find if you search for your keyphrase that a directory like freeindex or Yelp appears at the top of the search results.
Have a look at who is listed in these. Getting a number of reviews on freeindex can help push you up to the top of their results. So it can be another easy way to get local traffic.
2. Business directories allow your users to add reviews. These can stand out in search results with stars, again this can help your brand.
1. Sometimes you'll find if you search for your keyphrase that a directory like freeindex or Yelp appears at the top of the search results.
Have a look at who is listed in these. Getting a number of reviews on freeindex can help push you up to the top of their results. So it can be another easy way to get local traffic.
2. Business directories allow your users to add reviews. These can stand out in search results with stars, again this can help your brand.
Upvote
0
S
searchangel
Business wise, I think it's actually worth paying for a couple of these. Paying for premium listing on Yell.com is potentially worth it as they appear in the top 10 for many searches.
Also, the Scoot Network offers premium listings for around £300. For that, you also get on the Sun, Mirror and Independent business directories.
I've never really seen any major SEO benefits - most of them are nofollowed anyway.
However, customer reviews are a great way to attract new clients. Yelp, Freeindex and Google for Business are the big 3 for this.
I always do it for local SEO campaigns because citations are thought to be a factor in local search.
Also, the Scoot Network offers premium listings for around £300. For that, you also get on the Sun, Mirror and Independent business directories.
I've never really seen any major SEO benefits - most of them are nofollowed anyway.
However, customer reviews are a great way to attract new clients. Yelp, Freeindex and Google for Business are the big 3 for this.
I always do it for local SEO campaigns because citations are thought to be a factor in local search.
Upvote
0
Its not just a promotion but establishing a website from targeted audience and this will take time.
To have a good online presence the site must provide great user experience and as much as possible not been offered somewhere else.
Different trusted resources from different platforms will contribute in your knowledge and improving experience.
Upvote
0
I'm a copywriter too and I am not business directories - I recommend you promote your business doing what you're good at, especially just to get started / when you've just started and funds are low.
Like another poster mentioned - blogging and guest blogging, after all... that's what you do for a living
Like another poster mentioned - blogging and guest blogging, after all... that's what you do for a living
Upvote
0
D
Deleted member 252819
We listed ourselves in a lot of directories, and all we ever got in return was spam. The phone calls were so persistent, we had to ditch our VoIP number, as we just didn't have the resource to answer them.
There are better ways to improve rankings. Listing on directories isn't worth the effort.
There are better ways to improve rankings. Listing on directories isn't worth the effort.
Upvote
0
No it won't. Google tells you not to bother with this and recent algo changes have made most directories, article submissions, guest blogging and blog commenting a waste of time. Apart from that your post is spot on.
Upvote
0
Lots of indexable content on topics people are searching for, lots of internal linking, page titles, alt text and other onsite optimisation and then high quality inbound links from respected and authoritative sites.
In other words, do the same things Google has been telling you to do for donkey's years.
In other words, do the same things Google has been telling you to do for donkey's years.
Upvote
0
Who says no?
Article Directories? NO! - Says Matt Cutts of Google
Paid Business Directories? - Usually always the same as paid links and get penalised - Says Matt Cutts of Google
Blog commenting? - It's mostly spam! - Says Matt Cutts of Google
When the guy who's built a career as Google's go-between for SEOs says that these are bad ideas as far back as 2012, and you're claiming that they work in 2015, I'm faced with a question.
Who do I believe?
(Bonus article - "Google DOES NOT USE META KEYWORDS" - official Google blog, 2009)
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Also, I spent six weeks trying to save a link profile last year, which involved disavowing the following links:
Article directories
Blog comments
Low-quality business directories
They worked wonderfully when they were implemented prior to 2010. In 2014, they were dragging the website down.
I'm not just taking what Google says as gospel. I've seen the effects of these things change over time.
If your SEO service isn't adapting, I fear for your clients. I really do.
Article directories
Blog comments
Low-quality business directories
They worked wonderfully when they were implemented prior to 2010. In 2014, they were dragging the website down.
I'm not just taking what Google says as gospel. I've seen the effects of these things change over time.
If your SEO service isn't adapting, I fear for your clients. I really do.
Upvote
0
Is it really the directories that harm rankings or we? I mean we used to submit the same title and description all over the web and when rules change we had problems. If there is a logical SEO strategy when submitting to business, or article, or local, or shopping directories I think there is no problem.
Upvote
0
B
Braintree Refrigeration
Just never agree anything with Scoot. They make fantastic claims took £400 off of me to get top of the lists, email you the contract same day and they take more than what they said they would and when you try to cancel the same day you need a different department who are busy and will call you back but of course do not. Write to their customer services to make official complaint then call again just to be told there is NO cooling off period (not even 2 hours). Stay away!!!! Have opened a dispute with my credit card company believing I should be allowed to cancel.
How can you be stuck in a year long contract when you have not seen it? When you get it it's obvious their salesman tells lies for their commission.
How can you be stuck in a year long contract when you have not seen it? When you get it it's obvious their salesman tells lies for their commission.
Upvote
0
The value of linking name address phone with your web URL is huge. Good directories are the "citation sites" that should be the very first thing you do with SEO backlinks.
Crap directories are to be avoided, of course.
Usually you can tell the difference, aside from hiring someone who is familiar with citation sites, by the fact that the 'good ones' typically will call you or contact you with sales pitches for dozen service options almost immediately after submitting. The 'bad ones' often will pitch you on 1000 backlinks for $10, or 500 bookmarking site submits for $5. This is a bit of an oversimplification, but I'm sure if you've submitted to both, the aftermath will give you some clues.
Alternatively, check the trust flow and citation flow of the citation sites in question, check them on any of the top backlink auditing sites and see their relative strength.
OR, save yourself some time and just submit to the top 20 or 25 on WhiteSpark...
https://www.whitespark.ca/top-local-citation-sources-by-country
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
yes they are worth your efforts. As these kind sites have good traffic. Sites like Yelp, foursquare have very good reputation and nowadays every person uses search engines to anything they want. There is chances of getting calls as well so in my opinion its worthy.
Upvote
0
I think it really depends why you want to add your business to the directory. There is no right or wrong answer as long as we don't know any additional information about your intentions.
As a general rule of thumb you shouldn't solely do it for SEO reasons. As ADNattan mentioned above, Google doesn't like it at all. I also would never pay to get listed as the advantages of being listed probably won't justify the price.
Some time ago we created an extensive list of directories for UK businesses which you can find here: http://blog.invoiceberry.com/2013/10/top-35-uk-business-directories-get-small-business-noticed/
Have a look at the list and decide for yourself which directories suite your needs.
Cheers,
Uwe
As a general rule of thumb you shouldn't solely do it for SEO reasons. As ADNattan mentioned above, Google doesn't like it at all. I also would never pay to get listed as the advantages of being listed probably won't justify the price.
Some time ago we created an extensive list of directories for UK businesses which you can find here: http://blog.invoiceberry.com/2013/10/top-35-uk-business-directories-get-small-business-noticed/
Have a look at the list and decide for yourself which directories suite your needs.
Cheers,
Uwe
Upvote
0
Latest Articles
-
When the Algorithm Gets It Wrong: What eBay's AI Moderation Problem Tells Us About Platform RiskA thread appeared on UKBF this week that, on the surface, looks like a...- Ozzy
- Updated:
-
Should you crowdfund? A framework for UK founders in 2026Three articles into a series on what crowdfunding actually costs, the...
- Ozzy
- Updated:
-
The polls, the reframing, and the billion dollarsHow three letters from the early years of Star Citizen's development...
- Ozzy
- Updated:
-
The values trap: what the Punks actually ownedWhy BrewDog's Equity for Punks investors were structurally locked out...
- Ozzy
- Updated:
-
When belief is the business modelWhat BrewDog's collapse and Star Citizen's billion-dollar climb are...
- Ozzy
- Updated: