It’s been a while since I have updated our directories list and since search marketing is continually changing I thought it would be good to revisit the core local directory sites that stand out today. Below is a data source for the major search portals.
One of the best things I can suggest if you are going to start adding your information to local link directories is to write out, ahead of time, some basic information about your company history, and your bio. Doing this before hand will let you think through a sharp and to the point description of who you are and what you do. This in the end will save you tons of time in process ( if you are doing this yourself) and make sure you give people the right message. After all if you intend for people to take action after searching and finding your listing, then you need to give this process due diligence. If don’t you might as well not waste your time doing the listing at all.
In 11 plus years involved with search marketing (before it was even called search marketing) I have seen many internet marketing tactics, both white and black hat. People, in my opinion and experience don’t take action on the web if there isn’t at least a reasonable amount of transparency and authenticity. It doesn’t mean that there still won’t be a lot of knuckleheads out there trying to beat the system. So if you’re going to spend any time doing link building put in an effort when you add your content. Also, try to be as consistent as possible. Enough of said. Here is a short list of core directories to get you started:
Top of the List: GetListed.org -allows you to see how your business is indexed in five of the most popular Local search engines—Google, Yelp, Bing, Yahoo, and Best of the Web
UniversalBusinessListing.org provides a single entry point where you can create an enhanced business profile that is distributed to all major U.S. search engines, online yellow pages, 411 Directory Assistance, mapping and GPS navigation sites.
Add a Universal Business Listing
Localeze distributes your business content to the largest network of local search engine partners in the industry.
Add Your Business to Localeze
infoUSA is a major business directory whose data is used as a starting point by many local search engines.
Add your information with infoUSA
RateItAll is large consumer review portal where visitors can rate and review local businesses and products. The site reaches more than 1 million consumers per month and offers a free submission tool for local businesses to get listed.
Add Your Business to RateItAll
Superpages.com is a top online resource for finding information and insights on businesses and retailers.
Add your Business listing to Superpages
Yelp is a very popular Local information portal on the U.S. West Coast, and in certain industries across the rest of the country.
Add your profile on Yelp
Insiderpages is a Local search site that is regularly crawled by Google.
Add your listing to Insiderpages
CitySearch focuses on local services like hotels, restaurants, bars, movies, events and retail shopping.
Add your listing to CitySearch
Brownbook.net is a free local business directory that anyone can edit.
Add your listing to BrownBook
Do you have more core local directories to add? Let us know.
