How to list your company in business directories

Written by Richard Hallock

It's important for business owners to list their companies in prominent and reputable business directories. These listings are often free, but even if you have to pay a small fee, it's worth it.

In this article, we'll discuss the potential benefits of including a business profile in a business directory, what it should include, and a list of top business directories to submit to.

What are the benefits of being listed in a business directory?

Listing your company in a business directory has many benefits, including:

• Exposure to potential clients and customers. Listing in business directories can increase the number of buyers for your products and services.
• Your search engine visibility will be enhanced. Listing your business in business directories increases your visibility on Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other search engines. Being listed in trusted business directories increases your business' chances of appearing higher in search results and increases organic traffic to your website.
• Improve SEO with backlinks. Most business directories allow you to include backlinks from your business profile page to your website and links to your social media accounts. This helps with your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts and increases your chances of being found by customers when searching on a search engine.
• Improving your online presence and brand awareness. Having a strong online presence increases your visibility and improves your standing with potential customers. Being listed in online business directories also increases brand awareness and credibility.
• Low-cost or free marketing. Unlike most other types of marketing (such as pay-per-click advertising on Google or Facebook), business directory listings are cheap or free.

What should you include in your business directory profile?

Here are some important items to include in your online business profile:

• Trade name. Be consistent in using your business name. Think carefully about important issues to come up with a great name. Check out our 10 tips for naming your startup.
• address. If you have a physical location, you must clearly provide the full address. Example: 1234 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94118.
• telephone number. Include a phone number that potential customers can call.
• Website address. Your website address may be the most important thing you enter, so make sure it's a working hyperlink.
• Social media accounts. Include hyperlinks to your social media accounts, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Pinterest.
• Business details. Be sure to include a good business description that will help search engines. Please don't say it, “We provide great service to our clientss. ” Please be more descriptive. “We provide excellent dental services to our customers in the San Francisco/Bay Area.”
• A list of the specific products and services you offer. Add a list of all the major products and services you offer. Examples for San Francisco law firms include (if applicable): (i) San Francisco Personal Injury Cases. (ii) In case of a motor vehicle accident. (iii) wrongful employment litigation; (iv) business formation; (v) drafting and negotiating contracts; (vi) Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning.
• image. Some directories allow you to upload images, so consider adding your company logo or related images to make your listing stand out.
• keyword. Include keywords that potential customers might search for on Google or other search engines.
• position. If you're a business that serves local customers, make sure your profile lists the cities where you offer your products or services. For example, don't say: “We provide air conditioner repair services.” say this instead “We provide air conditioner repair services in Las Vegas, NV.” Consider providing a hyperlink with directions to your store.
• business hours. If you have a physical location or are a service provider, list your business days and hours. “Open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.”

Another tip: Check your competitors' profiles. It can be helpful to review the profiles of your business competitors in business directories to see how they describe your business.

More articles from allbusiness.com:

List of top business directories

Below is a list of the major business directories you should consider listing your business.

• allbusiness.com—One of the leading sites on the web for startups and growing businesses, AllBusiness.com has a comprehensive business directory where companies can post a business profile that includes links to their website and social media accounts . This site allows for a detailed description of a company's products and services, contact information, and other promotional information. Visit here: https://www.allbusiness.com/business-directory
• better business bureau—You can request a free business profile on the Better Business Bureau site. The Better Business Bureau brand is highly regarded. Visit here: https://www.bbb.org/get-listed
• Bing Places for Business—With Bing, Microsoft's search engine, you can post a new business listing in three easy steps. Visit here: https://www.bingplaces.com
• Facebook page—Facebook allows businesses to have their own Facebook page for free. Useful for organic searches and Facebook-specific searches. Continuously publish and update content about your business. Visit here: https://www.facebook.com/business/tools/facebook-pages
• Google Business Profile—Google lets you post a free business profile. It was previously called “Google My Business.” You can manage your Business Profile directly in Google and Google Maps. Information may include location, business hours, address, website URL, phone number, etc. Visit here: https://www.google.com/business
• linkedin—LinkedIn, a popular social business network, allows you to post a business profile page that includes a lot of information about your business. This can also include posting regular updates and events about your business. Visit here: https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/linkedin-pages
• super page—Superpages offers an online business directory that offers free basic profiles and extended paid profiles. In partnership with The Real Yellow Pages. Visit here: https://marketing.yellowpages.com/en/claim-your-listing?-from=advertise-with-us-SP
• Yelp—Yelp is a popular online directory where many local businesses post their profiles. Basic listings are free, but you can also pay to drive more traffic to your listing. Yelp is particularly popular with restaurant businesses and contains many reviews. Visit here: https://business.yelp.com

Business directories offer many benefits to companies

Business Directory contains millions of companies. You can increase your online presence and improve your marketing by listing your business in the Prominent Business Directory. It's also important to keep your profile updated as new products and services are added over time.

Business Directory FAQ

What is a business directory?

A business directory is an online listing of businesses that typically includes a business description, address and phone number, website address, and a list of products and services offered by the business.

What are the benefits of listing your business profile on business directories?

Listing in business directories increases exposure to new clients and customers, enhances search engine visibility, improves search engine optimization with backlinks, and increases online presence and brand awareness and enables free or cost-effective marketing.

What are the best business directories for companies to list?

There are many great business directories that list company profiles, including AllBusiness.com, Better Business Bureau, Bing Places for Business, Facebook Pages, Google Business Profile, LinkedIn, Superpages, and Yelp.

About the author

Richard D. Harroch is a managing director and global head of M&A at VantagePoint Capital Partners, a venture capital fund in the San Francisco area. He focuses on Internet, digital media, and software companies, and is the founder of several Internet companies.View his complete biography AllBusiness.com here.

Copyright © Written by Richard Hallock. All rights reserved.