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Most local business owners have heard about the importance of having an online presence to attract new business, and local business directories are where many of them are turning to get that presence. But one local marketing expert says that the way the free local business listings are set up is key to success.
“Many local business owners create local business listings and then don’t see the results they want in the search engine rankings,” says a spokesman from FindUsLocal.com, an online local business directory that creates a customized home page for every visitor to the site. “The key is how the information is input, and then how active the local listing remains.”
He’s talking about NAP+W, which stands for name, address, phone number, and website address. Every time a local business owner creates a local listing, they will be asked for this information and according to the spokesman, it must be entered exactly the same way in order for the search engine bots to link them all together as the same business.
“For example,” he says, “if your business name has an “Inc.” at the end of it, you will have to decide whether or not to include it in the business name. But you will have to follow that guideline for every free local business listing that you create.
He also says that business owners should keep their business listings current by asking customers to leave reviews on the listing and using the live comment feature available on FindUsLocal.com.
About FindUsLocal: FindUsLocal uses geolocation technology in visitor’s browsers to construct a home page focused on their city, town or community. Right there on the front page, they’ll find local weather, sports results for their favorite teams, and announcements of the top musical acts and events coming to their city. Smart business owners list their businesses on the site to be seen by those who are specifically looking for businesses in their local area.
Release ID: 397264