Exposure is the key to success for businesses all over the world and what better way to get the ultimate exposure than to advertise online? The online world is home to a multitude of businesses, all vying for attention and new customers and this means that if you want your business to be competitive; you will need to make sure you have an online presence. While this means having a website that features unique content that has been optimised and an easy-to-navigate layout, there are other things that you can do to make sure your company is visible online such as listing your contact details in an online business directory.
Rather than using books, people now tend to go straight to the internet to find anything they need, whether they want to book a holiday or find a locally based electrician. Online directories like Thomson Local are a great resource for finding information about local businesses and not only do they feature a brief description of the services available but the listing will also show the contact details for the company.
Below are a few examples of the types of businesses that can benefit by using an online business directory to advertise their services and contact details:
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Painters and decorators
- Food suppliers
- Small supermarkets
- Lawyers
- Dog walking services
- Takeaway food companies
- Website design companies
- Car sales companies
- Clothes shops
- Hardware shops
- Computer stores
All kinds of businesses can advertise via an online directory and as there is stiff competition online, it is important to make sure that you are able to attract new clients by taking advantage of every possible marketing channel. Using an online business directory is a good way to boost your brand awareness and the more familiar your brand is to people; the more likely they will turn to use your services. Millions of potential clients are online at any one time and while it is vital to have a website, you should also make sure you are taking advantage of other online advertising mediums like Thomson Local to promote your brand.
Some of the benefits to using an online business directory to advertise your business include the following:
- Improves Visibility
One of the most valuable benefits to using an online business directory such as Thomson Local is that it allows your business details to be visible to a huge number of people – who are all potential clients. The easier it is to find your contact details, the more likely they will use your services. People can search for a business via an online business directory by looking for the type of business they want and listing your company via an online directory. This allows potential customers the opportunity to reach out to you, saving you a lot of hard work chasing new clients.
- Informs Potential Clients
Your potential clients can find out more about your business quickly and easily, including information about the following:
- Opening and closing times
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Website
- Description of services or products
- Brief history
- Photos
It allows you to increase your customer base without having to do a lot of work, as something like a website requires continual updating and changes whereas a business listing via an online directory is something that doesn’t need you to continuously update.
You can provide a brief description of the types of services you offer for the products that you sell along with your contact details and some directories like Thomson Local will even allow you to put a link to your website from the directory, which is why it is such a popular one that many people choose to use.
- Readily Accessible
The internet is an easily accessible tool that many people to turn to in order to find all kinds of things and if your business isn’t listed on an online business directory, you can be sure that your competition is – meaning people will turn to them rather than you through convenience. If you list your business, your target audience will be more likely to find you and they will be genuine potential customers, as they found you due to the types of services that you offer. In order to tap into a potential market of possible customers, you will need to ensure that you are readily accessible and an online business directory is a great medium to showcase your services or products through.
- Local Businesses
In order to build a successful business, you will need to be able to attract local customers and online business directories are local by nature. They will list businesses according to the following:
- The sector
- The services they offer
- The products they sell
- Where they are located
This allows you to gain access to locally based clients who will help you to build and grow your business, and this is particularly useful if you are someone who relies on local customers like a painter and decorator or a plumber who needs to create a local client base.
- Boost Website Traffic
As you can often place a link to your website through your business listing, you can also increase the amount of traffic that comes to your website. This traffic will be good quality leads who are specifically looking for the types of services that you offer or products that you sell, as they have come looking for you according to what you have written in the description section of your business listing.
Being able to target relevant audiences is important and can be of huge benefit to anyone who has just started a new business and who needs to boost their client base. You can develop your brand image by featuring your business on an online business directory and it is an inexpensive way to attract more clients, which is something that all businesses need to focus on no matter how big or small they are.
