In this digital age, it is nearly impossible to overestimate the importance of an online presence for businesses. Many consumers use search engines as an initial step to finding a business that suits their needs. Potential customers may even drive past an unfamiliar business and then go home and search the web to get an initial impression before deciding whether to set foot in the door.
Getlisted.org is a local citation finder that shows small business owners all mentions of the business name that appear online. This data can help owners develop an online marketing plan to increase their web presence when customers search for a key word along with a location such as city or state.
While it’s important for a business to have a professional-looking and informative website, other mentions of the business name can also draw customers in. A greater web presence gives the appearance of a more legitimate and popular business and bring the name of a small business to the top page of results on a search engine. Business directories, social media sites, and news paper web sites are all sources of citations. Customer review sites such as Yelp allow other users to share their experiences so potential new customers can familiarize themselves with products or services offered, pricing, and weigh the pros and cons shared by others. They also often provide a link to the business official website, which draws additional visitors to that site.
When searching for a local business on Google, the most popular search engine, the first results that populate after the paid advertising are the names of local business, along with address, telephone number, a link to the website and often reviews. Many users will simply stop at these local map listing results and choose a business from these five or six results. This is a great tool in online marketing, provided that the business is listed and the information is accurate.
Using a local citation finder helps owners target their marketing efforts more efficiently. Owners can find and correct information that may be listed incorrectly on other websites and get an idea of areas that need more attention. This also allows marketers to find new citations and track progress.
Appropriate use of local citations is an integral part of small business growth. Streamlining this process saves time and reduces missed opportunities for business to appear in the greatest possible number of web searches.
Leave a Reply