Using online profiles and directories is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to connect with customers, optimize reviews and increase the traffic to your website.
Online profiles and directories can be powerful tools for businesses because they give customers the opportunity to leave reviews. Reviews about your business can give you insight into your target market, help you improve your products or services and let you size up the competition.
Here are some of the top online profiles and directories:
- Google For Business – The number one place people go to for reviews
- Yelp – Also a great place to start
- Bing For Business – Bing is also important to consider
- Yahoo Local Listings
- Yellow Pages
- White Pages
- Superpages.com
- Four Square
- Angie’s List – Very popular in the US
- And many more… Just do a Google search to find them.
Some of the above are free to use others come with a cost. Check them out and decide which ones are best for your business. Reviews are highly influential because they provide a genuine reflection of what your customers think of your products or services. They’re very public advertisements for your business, and can have a great effect on what consumers think about your business, for better or for worse. Be sure to check your reviews from time to time. The reviews will let you know what you are doing right and what needs improvement.
In fact, 90 percent of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business, and 88 percent of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. With these numbers in mind, it’s easy to see the value of having your business featured in profiles and directories.
Check out your competitor’s reviews for a look into what their customers are saying. Negative reviews can reveal a gap in the market, allowing your business to step up and fulfill that need. This is especially true for small businesses who are able to adapt quickly to meet consumer needs.