Overview
Most likely, when customers want information about your business, they’ll go online. Whether they visit your website (and please, at least have a landing page for your business, don’t just use Facebook), various review sites or other listings, it’s the quickest and easiest way to learn about you, what you offer, and where you’re located. However, if you don’t manage your listings, your customers could be easily misinformed. Read on for more details!
Details
There are several websites where customers can often find information about your business (depending on the size of your business and number of locations, etc.). We’ll review the main listings below, and include links on how to get started managing your listings.
1. Google
Hundreds of millions of people all over the world use Google as their primary search engine when online or on their phone. So, you want to ensure that your business is listed on Google, and that the listing contains all the information that your customers might need to find you. This way, your business will appear in the right-hand column of a Google search result, and also as a pin on Google maps when someone is searching for business like you near them.
2. Yelp
Hate them or love them, but Yelp reviews are often near the top of the search results for a local restaurant, retail shop, spa or other service-related business, so they are worth paying attention to. If you haven’t already, create an account for your business on Yelp, add information about your business, put up some great photos, and stay on top of reviews (both good and bad). It’s especially important to manage the reviews part of the process – doing so will allow customers to feel heard and valued.
3. Trip Advisor
Depending on your location (and industry), you may or may not want to create a profile for yourself on Trip Advisor. The website organizes cities of interest by top-rated restaurants, retail shops and attractions – making it easy for travelers to enjoy the best of the best.
You want to make sure you’re listed! By creating a profile, you’ll be able to garner reviews from travelers and also take advantage of various marketing tools.
4. Other Sites
There are so many other review sites and sites that organize businesses in very specific ways. Maybe you’re a gluten-free bakery and you want to appeal to gluten-free customers (hint: try a listing on Find Me Gluten Free). Or, maybe you are pet-friendly and want to make sure your customers know they can bring their pup to dinner (maybe check out Bring Fido). Whatever the niche, do a little research online and see what you can come up with. You don’t have to try to get listed on EVERY site, but one or two sites that are specific to what you have to offer can’t hurt (as long as you take the time to manage them).
The bottom line to listing success is…. search for yourself, see what comes up and make a list of listings to manage! Try various combinations of words, different search engines or by searching in the “News” section of your search engine. Being proactive about your listings ensures that you are the one in control of your reputation.
