Just about every business today has a website, and just about everyone wants to increase their page rankings for that website. To do this, they have to optimize it to make it easier for the search engines to find. In order to do that they have to employ different search engine optimization (SEO) techniques. Online directories are a great way to do this.
The Place To List Your Local Small Business When Looking For Local Customers

One of the oldest and most effective ways to market yourself online is through local small business directory listings. Small business Internet marketing requires starting with a listing of your small business in the major general directories then listing them in niche and industry-specific directories appropriate to your small business. It is a time consuming process to list your small business in the right directories, but a necessary one to ensure good rankings for your website.
Get Your Business to the Top of the SERP

Online directories typically have a higher page authority than other websites. This authority allows them to appear on the first page of the search engine results page (SERP), typically in one of the top spots. When a business is listed in that directory, they and their website also appear in the top spots of the SERP. This is one of the best ways online directories help improve a business’ SEO.
All directories will allow a business to place their website address somewhere within the listing. This link in the online directory will count as a vote for that website. The more votes a website has, the higher it will appear in the SERP. When businesses have multiple listings across different directories, each listing is then essentially considered a vote, because it contains the link to the business website. This can help the website appear higher in the search engines, even when the user is not looking in a directory.
Consistent Business Information

One thing you’ll need to keep in mind all directories are different. Nevertheless, you should write your business directory listing before you submit to any directories. Your local small business directory listing shouldn’t be too long, but it should include all the pertinent information formatted exactly the same in each listing: Your business name, your name, address, phone number, website address, e-mail address, and a short description of your business. In your business directory listing, be sure to use the best keyword two or three times to make your small business listing optimized for the search engines.
How Much Can Online Directory Listings Benefit Your Business?

The amount of SEO benefits your online directory listings bring to your business will depend on the directory you use. Don’t waste your time trying to get listed in a directory that doesn’t offer a category you’ll fit into. Be sure to browse the categories at any small business directories you consider before you list your business. Some are ranked higher than others, and it's important to create a business listing on all the top directories and having a listing on Google My Business is said to increase a website’s ranking by 1.5 points.
SEO may not be at the top of every business owner’s mind. For those with a website though, it should be. Creating listings in online directories is one of the easiest ways to improve it.
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