Local Business Presence
Local Business Presence
This signal reports on the presence of a business on popular local online directories that guide people to find local services and, in turn, help local businesses reach and win more customers.
About the Test
This analysis checks if the website is listed in various local business directory services.
Why do we check for this?
Ensuring a business is listed with correct information on relevant directories can help people to find a local service, driving directions to the business, or reviews. Businesses present in search results, that are listed on directories, are considered more trustworthy compared to that which are not.
How do we check for this?
We check Google Maps, Yahoo! Local, Citysearch, Bing Local, YP.com, Here Maps, Foursquare, and Yelp to detect if the business is listed. Then, we compare all of the results against the business name, location, and phone number provided for in the profile in BuzzBoard.
What can I do about it?
Consider the following tips for better results:
- Link a business' website to its listing in the directory so they are redirected to the website upon searching.
- Ensure business information on each online directory is up-to-date and has all relevant fields filled (Website Links, Phone Numbers, Address etc.).
- Ensure the business' listing in directories is claimed and verifies that you're the owner of a valid business.
- Determine which platforms make sense to be listed on. It’s not a best practice to devote hundreds of hours to getting listed on every possible search engine, index, or app just because they exist. Instead, hit the majors (Google, YP, etc.) and hand-pick other platforms that are extremely relevant to the business' industry or geography.
FAQ(s)
Why couldn't my business presence be detected in any of the local directories, even though I have listed the business in some of them?
You may have listed your business in directories,
after the profile was added/last regenerated in BuzzBoard.
Regenerate the profile to confirm your presence.
Alternatively, the information provided in the directory
doesn't not match the information listed in BuzzBoard.
Try confirming the details provided are the same.
Does this cover all directories out there?
This signal checks many popular directories, but
not all of them.
For Facebook Reviews, please refer to the Social
Presence section.
For additional training opportunities contact Phillip
Cortez -
phillip@buzzboard.com
