Search Engines and Directories
Search Engine and Directory websites are the most popular way for customers to discover and interact with businesses. These types of websites provide business listings for contact information, location, hours and services. It is imperative that small businesses are active and visible on search engines and directories, allowing them to be found just as easily as larger businesses.
The seven most relevant websites for this avenue are GoogleMyBusiness, BingPlaces, Yahoo, Yp.com, Show Me Local, Citysearch, and SuperPages. See the following steps for getting started with these websites. Additional websites you may want to consider include are Hometown Phonebook and Yellowbook.com.
GoogleMyBusiness
GoogleMyBusiness a free and simple tool for businesses to manage their online presence within Google.
- Go to https://www.google.com/business/
- Click the ‘Start Now’ button
- Provide the required business information
BingPlaces
BingPlaces is a portal that allows businesses to add listings of their businesses on the Bing search engine.
- Go to https://www.bingplaces.com/
- Click ‘Sign In’ or create a new account if necessary
- Check to see if your business is already listed on Bing Places
- If your business already exists, you can update existing listings
- If it is not already listed, create the new business and provide the business information
Yahoo
You can create a free Yahoo Local Basic Listing account and it will allow you to add your business listing to Yahoo and update the information when needed. Yahoo outsources to Yext to manages business listings. You do not need an account with Yext.
- Go to http://www.yext.com/pl/yahoo-claims
- Enter your business information and click ‘Find My Listings’
- Ignore the warnings and click ‘Continue’
- You will then be presented with four paid plans, but you can click the free option link that says ‘Claim your basic listing only on Yahoo’
- You will then receive an email to verify your email address. Click the link and create a password to login to your account.
- The final step is to verify your business. They will call you to verify.
ShowMeLocal
Showmelocal is a website where you can search using keywords and limit your results to only areas near your location. It is a powerful tool used to boost your business with local customers.
- Go to showmelocal.com
- In the upper right hand corner, click 'New Business Signup'
- Choose the option of signup that you prefer (Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, or 'Register for free')
- If you choose the register for free option, enter your information in the boxes provided on the screen.
- On the next page, provide information about your business and choose 'Add Business!''
- Activate your account by choosing 'Request activation email' at the top of the page.
CitySearch
Citysearch is a website provides information about businesses in the categories of dining, entertainment, retail, travel, and professional services in cities throughout the United States. So if you want to plan a venue to meet your clients this website is useful tool for your business.
- Go to Citysearch.com
- Click 'Sign In' at the top right corner of the page
- Click on that and it should bring up a window to sign with your email and password.
- Since you have not created one yet, you need to click on the 'Create an Account' tab on the top.
- After that, fill in the necessary information to complete your account.
SuperPages
This website provides businesses the opportunity to advertise and get their name out there to the community. Primarily this site is used for writing reviews on businesses by nonbusiness individuals, however, it is a useful tool for any business.
- Go to superpages.com
- Click 'Join' at the right corner of the page
- If your business already has a Facebook account, you can join with one click and have the accounts linked
- Provide your personal information and click 'Join'
- Now you can view your personal account to provide reviews
- For free advertising with superpages scroll to the bottom of the home page.
- Click ‘Claim This Business’ and follow the on-screen prompts to list your business.