Getting listed in a reputed business directory, under a highly relevant classification, is one of the best marketing options for your business.
Paid advertisement solutions (pay per click, banner etc.) and organic search engine marketing is very important for a business to be successful over internet. It’s also important for a business to be listed in reputable business directories.
Though consumers search products or service on search engines, they esp. b2b buyers also use the business directory as a database to collect specific and detailed information of a business, compare products, analyze and evaluate product specifications and features.
Scope of a business directory: A general business directory list businesses from more than one industry. Every directory has its own object and scope. Below is given a general picture of sites that business directory can list:
Sites of manufacturer, distributor, marketer, sellers.
Sites of trade associations, educational institutions and training programs, business and economic news, events, etc.
Sites of service providers who provide business services like accounting, finance, human resources, management, marketing, etc.
Given below are some of the features a business directory offers that a business can benefit from-
Regular listing: Adding business is through comprehensive category structure is the main service a directory offers. Being listed a business can increase its online traffic. Major business directories can send very relevant traffic to a business.
Featured listing: Featured listing some directory also called it sponsored listing. If business is added as featured it is shown at the top of the category it is listed. The feature gives a listing opportunity to be noticed first when the category is visited. A sponsored listing will send more traffic than a basic listing.
Advertisement: Business directories also offer advertisement service like pay per click campaign, banner advertisement, news letter advertisement etc. Some directories also offer offline advertisement in their print news letter or magazine. A business can spread the word further taking advertisement service of business directories.
Market place: Many business directories also offer marketplace to buy or sell products or service. By taking part in the market place that a business directory offers a business can increase its sells.
Other features: Business directories also offer industry news, market research information, how to guide and other innovative services.
Indirect benefits a business directory can offer:
Most of the business directory offer search engine friendly listing. When a business website is added in a directory, it gets a link. The link from a business directory is one way and very much relevant. It is one of the editorial forms of link that a site can have. This type of editorial link from authority business directory helps to improve search engine ranking that will result in more traffic from search engines.
A business must consider a business directory important marketing tool to promote a business over internet along with its other online marketing and promotion campaign.