Local SEO

This is a tutorial on link building through local online business directories. Feel free to share, comment and ask questions.

Yours Turly,

Integrity Marketing

Online Business Directories

Directory placement is an important factor in any SEO campaign.  Business directories are not only a great source of lead generation, but they also are a great source of link building for your website.

What is Directory Placement?

Directory placement is the process of placing your business information in online directories.  Online directories are the online equivalent of yellow pages and other business advertising phonebooks.  Each directory showcases your company’s name, contact information, description, products and services, photos, and website address.  Not only do these website receive a lot of search queries and traffic, but they also link to your website, which helps your website increase its rankings.

Which Online Directories Should I Use?

When choosing a directory to place your business in, it is in your best interest look for these traits:

1. The online directory should have a high page rank.

2. You should be able to place a link to your website. Make sure it is a not a “no follow link”. If it is a “no follow link” it will not give your website credit for link building.

3. Make sure you can showcase your business with photos, videos, blogs, etc. All these should help customers find your directory listing more relevant to their needs.

4. Make sure the directory ranks in search engines. If you are doing a Google search for your company’s service area and keywords, use the same directories that your competition is using. any of these companies are being showcased in search engines just by filling out a simple directory listing. If you filled out your company’s information and add more content than your competition, you will have a chance to knock the other company out of the game.

5. Reviews are also a huge factor in choosing online directories. You should proactively seek out reviews for your company in online directories. This will help your rankings, even in Google Places.

6. Some great online directories are Merchant Circle, Hotfrog, Brownbook, Google Places, Yahoo Local Business, and Bing Local.  There are literally thousands to choose from. Follow these steps and you’ll be way ahead of the game.  Remember, there are no bad online directories, just directories that are far superior to others.

Here is a list of online business directories and social bookmarking sites that Integrity Marketing uses for local SEO campaigns:

• Yahoo Local
• Bing Local
• Yelp
• Merchant Circle
• Hotfrog
• Brownbook
• Super Pages
• Kudzu
• Youtube
• Twitter
• Showmelocal
• Manta
• ThinkLocal
• CitySquares

If you know of any other free ones that are simple to use please share your links below in the comments section!!! We would love to here from you.

Integrity Marketing

Integrity Marketing specializes in Local Search Engine Optimization or Local SEO.  Our services assure that your business is found by your potential customers when they perform a search for your services online.  Make sure you are not missing out on this incredible marketing opportunity by calling us today.  Your clients are searching for you as read this message.  Are they finding you or your competition?  Call today for a free consultation of your current online presence and learn how we can improve it.

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11