Introduction: Registering Local Business On Online Directories (Listings) Creating Citations
I first dreaded the idea of building backlinks.
I did not like the idea of asking someone for a link.
Hopefully, there was a solution where I had 100% control over my tasks.
That is, registering the local business' website onto online service directories.
Doing so would create a listing for my business on those sites.
Each listing would give my web business a citation. Citations typically come with a backlink to my business' website.
This process is usually free unless you register for more "official" online business service directories.
Also, this method only requires time spent registering your business, and the listing's webpage goes live on the Internet once a moderator for that online directory "approves" your registration.
In this blog article, I will discuss different types of existing service directories.
I will list the ones I choose for my first rank and rent business.
Finally, I will discuss the weight each backlink carries and how to distinguish whether it's positively affecting your rankings.
The Concept of an Online Directory and Listing
The concept of understanding this whole system is simple.
You have many websites out there that label themselves as "directories."
These websites have set up forms for businesses to register on.
The form generally collects data such as the business name, address, phone number, website URL, etc.
Once the data is sent, a moderator is usually required to "approve" your listing before publishing it.
When the moderator sees that the data about your business is legitimate and approves it, a web page dedicated to your business is automatically created on the directory domain.
The URL from that online directory will look like the one below and be accessible and live online.
https://some-directory-website.org/pages/your-local-business-name
That page will display your business name, email, and phone number and, most importantly, contain a backlink to your local website.
The Types of Online Directories and Listings
Global Directories
Global directories are large-scale, internationally recognized platforms where businesses from various industries and locations can register.
These directories are essential for establishing a broad online presence and reaching a wider audience. Examples of global directories include Google My Business, Yelp, Yellow Pages, and Bing Places for Business.
Registering on these global directories ensures that your business enhances the chances of being discovered by potential customers.
Below is an example of a listing from a global service directory:
Local Directories
Local directories focus on specific regions, cities, or communities, making them ideal for targeting customers in your immediate area.
These service directories are particularly valuable for small to medium-sized businesses that rely on local clientele.
Examples of local directories include:
This localized approach helps build stronger community connections and can increase foot traffic and sales.
Ad Listings
Ad listings are a unique type of directory where businesses can place advertisements. They are often found in local online newspapers or community websites.
These listings provide a backlink and a direct advertisement to potential customers.
An example of an ad listing can be seen below:
- Local Online Newspapers: The Kingston Whig-Standard, Kingston Heritage
- Community Websites: Visit Kingston, Kingstonist
- Classified Ad Sites: Kijiji Kingston, Craigslist Kingston
Ad listings can be effective for bettering your backlink profile, and they complement traditional directory listings.
Below is an example of an ad listing:
The Directories I Registered My Business On
From all the options available out there, below is a list of all the service directories and ad listings I registered Drywall Kingston Earnanwers thus far:
- Google My Business: A must-have for any local business, Google My Business helps your business appear in local search results and on Google Maps.
- Yelp: Known for its user-generated reviews, Yelp is a powerful platform for attracting local customers and building your reputation.
- Yellow Pages: A longstanding directory service that now operates online, providing a trusted platform for business listings.
Bing Places for Business: Similar to Google My Business, Bing Places allows you to manage your business's presence on Bing's search engine.
Enhancing and Identifying Backlink Weight
After Registering Listings
Now that we have many online backlinks, we ideally want Google to crawl and index those pages.
If the directory or ad listing has a high domain authority, the webpage containing the backlink will be crawled and indexed without much effort.
If the directory does not have high enough domain authority, we can leverage PBNs directed toward your business' listing pages, making what is known as tier 2 backlinks.
The PBN will increase the likelihood of Google crawling and indexing your business listing pages, enhancing your website's backlink profile.
Identifying Backlink Weight on Google Search Console
You can see whether your created backlinks have been considered on Google Search Console.
To do so, just log in to your Google Search Console account and click as illustrated below:
You will see a list of all the backlinks that Google has identified, which compose your "backlink profile." These are the backlinks that carry the most weight.
Identifying Backlink Weight on Google
You can also see if the pages containing your backlinks have been crawled and indexed on Google.
To do so, just go to google.com and submit the following query:
site:https://some-directory-website.org/pages/your-local-business-name
If SERP shows an entry, the page was crawled and indexed. Also, the backlink on that page will carry weight on your local service website.
Conclusion
If you appreciate content like this, please help us rank this website (i.e., Drywall Kingston Earnanswers) at #1 on Google by giving it a backlink.
If you are an SEO, consider joining our Facebook group:
SEO SMALL-SCALE DOMAIN/WEBSITE/WEB PROPERTY OWNERS FOR BACKLINKS !!
Also, if you need to automate processes, set up a website, design a logo, optimize your website, or implement AI, you can send us your wishes on our contact form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
For general guidance on how to build a rank and rent website, you can check out this blog containing links to all the steps: Building My First Rank And Rent Asset In Public
We also accept donations: