Why local listing is important for small businesses in 2024

If a small business wants to expand its sales, whom do you think can be the greatest support for this? Of course, the local community! Once a small business succeeds in establishing its value within the locality, no matter how many competitors arrive in your vicinity, you are going to be the chosen one! However relying on flyers and printing materials every time for brand promotion is going to cost you a significant amount, and in some cases, it won't deliver desirable results. Here is where a local listing platform becomes a real blessing for small businesses.

 A business listing on online directories acts as a permanent e-business card to inform consumers about your product and brand. Most small players doubt these online ways are made for just big brands. But did you know that 88% of consumers who perform a local search on their smartphones visit or call a store within a day?

Still not sure about local listing? What if we say you don't have to spend a penny, plus enjoy all the benefits of digital advertising with business listing platforms like Google My Business and Pro Listing Hub? Why don't we give you more reasons to start your listing journey today?

 

What is a business listing?

 

 

Have you ever used traditional business directories to find business details? Nowadays, it is replaced with a simple practice: just type 'Business name near me.' Business details will appear on your screen within seconds. That is the power of local listing directories in the digital era. A business listing is an online directory entry containing essential information about a company, such as its name, address, phone number, website, and services. It offers several advantages to businesses, irrespective of size or niche, which we will discuss in the next section. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date listings is crucial for attracting customers and ensuring accurate information across various online channels.

 Some listing platforms, such as Google My Business and Pro Listing Hub, are so advanced that businesses can transform a business listing's e-business card status into a product catalogue.

 

 

 

How do local listing benefit small businesses?

Let's see how local listing brings customers from online to your actual store.

1. Help customers locate your business

The local listing is what a potential customer finds when searching for a particular product or service “near me.” The business listing platform offers various features for easy customer navigation to your store, including contact numbers, address inclusion, integrated maps, and information about business hours. This increases brand presence in the online realm and encourages users to take immediate action.

2. Establish trust & credibility

Consumers today are more cautious than ever before; they want to make informed decisions and choose businesses they can trust. An online listing allows small businesses to establish trust by optimizing their business listings regularly. Additionally, platforms like Google My Business provide a review and rating feature, enabling businesses to address customer queries in real time. This creates trust and a positive impression among customers.

3. Personalised advertising 

Did you know users love a personalized experience? Online listings offer a targeted approach, ensuring your business appears frequently within the local vicinity search. By making promotions and updates more personalized, you can achieve higher engagement and conversion rates. Unlike flyers and brochures, which provide a limited period of personalized local reach, online listings have no time constraints.

4. SEO advantage

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a strategy to convince search engines that your page has what users are looking for. A higher search engine ranking leads to increased online visibility. By confirming details such as who you are, where you are located, what your business does, and when it operates, your business is more likely to rank higher in online searches.

With online listings, businesses can reap the benefits of off-page SEO. Securing a spot on trusted platforms like Google My Business counts as a credible backlink. This serves as a vote of confidence for search engines to promote your business information.

5. Website ranking

Online listing platforms allow the integration of website and social media information. This facilitates the redirection of organic traffic from the listing page to your other digital assets. According to a report, organic traffic is considered to be up to 10 times more than a paid ad audience. Thus, with this simple tactic, you can boost the ranking of your brand's website. Usually, small businesses may not afford to have their own website, but with a business listing, regardless of your business size, your brand can definitely have a presence in the online realm.

 

Take your listing beyond the basics

When it comes to your business's online presence, the importance of local listings must be addressed. But why keep it simple when you can enjoy the pleasure of premium listings, and that too, free of cost? Wondering how? It's simple, with some of the free online listing platforms like Google My Business and Pro Listing Hub. Don't stop with just one! The more listings you have, the wider your chances of visibility. Pro Listing Hub, an emerging local listing platform, has already been successful in reaching a diverse audience from global to local. So, start today for higher reach!