Local Business Listing & Review Sites: Be Where Customers Search

Business Directories Guide - Cover

People rarely stumble upon your business by chance. Today, most buyers won’t click past the first page on Google or TripAdvisor—or even go beyond the top 10 recommended local businesses they come across. 

In other words, it pays to be #1.

That said, trying to figure out search engine optimization is like trying to hit a moving target. Once you think you have everything figured out, the search engines tweak the rules. This means businesses must be on their toes and constantly fine-tuning their search strategy so they don’t miss their mark.

With so much to consider—from how to drive reviews to what third-party sites you should get your business on—it can feel impossible to know where to start. But we’re here to help. In this guide, you’ll learn how to: 

  • Identify the right local business listings and review sites to focus on
  • Use reviews to get greater visibility online 
  • Manage local SEO to rank higher and help customers find you

Introduction to Local SEO and Third-Party Business Listing Pages

You may know enough about SEO and third-party business listing pages, like Yelp and Google reviews, to recognize that they are no-brainers for growing your business. But how do they actually work and where should you get started? What’s really worth your valuable (and perhaps limited) time? 

Below, we’ve included the full lowdown to help you make the right choices for your business.

The Role of Search Engines in Finding Local Businesses

Starting with the basics, “SEO” stands for “search engine optimization.” Initially created to help people find information, products, businesses, etc. anywhere in the world, search engines are now focusing on bringing localized results to searchers. This means if a customer is searching for ice cream on Google, the search engine is likely to offer results that are local to the customer, like a mom-and-pop ice cream shop or their local supermarket.

Admittedly, there’s a lot to search engine algorithms, and the ins and outs can get tricky pretty quickly. But what you and your business need to know is that there are three key things to understand about search engines and local search that can take your business to the top, no matter where you’re starting from: relevance, distance, and prominence.

Relevance

It comes as no surprise that a local searcher is much more likely to buy from a business that offers products relevant to what they’re looking for, within close proximity, with a great brand reputation (this is where getting positive reviews comes in!).

So back to our first example, if someone is looking for a frozen treat, Google won’t offer listings for the local hardware store; it’s not relevant to their search. This is why it’s important to include keywords on your website that clearly indicate which products and services you offer. The clearer your description is to the search engine, the better your odds of showing up on a list of relevant search results for the right potential buyers.

Distance

Just like most dating apps, how far away you are from a searcher matters too. Why? Search engines aim to offer relevant search results within the closest proximity to the person making the search because this increases the odds of success–needs being met, transactions taking place, and relationships being established. 

Having clear location information that is consistent across all of your platforms is crucial for search engines to accurately calculate your distance.

Prominence

A search engine like Google isn’t going to want to send searchers to a local business with terrible reviews or little online information. The better established your business is in prominence, the more likely you are to show up in higher rankings. 

Prominence is a bit like a credit score in the sense that it isn’t totally clear how to establish it perfectly, and it’s built on a number of different parts like customer reviews, backlinks to your site, and more. Just know that the volume of online information about your business makes a huge difference, and getting customer reviews is about so much more than just a feel-good pat on the back. The more information your business has online, the better you’re likely to do in local search rankings.

So, if we look back out at our “ice cream/frozen treat” example, we can see how Google brings all of these elements together in a simple search: 

Ice cream near me

The Importance of Third-Party Local Business Listing Pages and Review Sites

As we mentioned, the more information you have online about your business, the better you’re likely to rank in search engine results. Having your business on third-party local business listing pages and review sites can make a big difference in the volume of information about your business online and establishing and managing your brand reputation

Everyone knows that people are more likely to buy from brands they know and love. When shopping online, searchers don’t get to meet you and your team members or interact with your products in person. For potential customers, there might not be any initial connection with your brand that would cause them to choose your business over another. 

Local third-party business listing pages and review sites are just a few examples of many tools that can help bridge the gap and establish a connection in the minds of your potential customers. Online searchers want to feel confident that they’re going to receive a great product or experience from you. And they’re willing to do the work. 

In fact, around half of consumers are willing to pay more and travel farther to patronize businesses that have higher reviews. 65% of consumers have read an online review in the last week, and 93% say online reviews impact their buying decisions. Reading others’ reviews of your business can help them build this confidence, increasing the likelihood that they will become a customer themselves.

Small business review stats

Huge global brands tend to have well-established reputations that aren’t likely to be swayed by a few reviews. 

But for local businesses, every review matters. Potential customers are more likely to trust your past customers about the quality of your business than your actual marketing. Having a profile on sites like Yelp, Nextdoor, or Google reviews gives your business an opportunity to showcase how customers experience your brand and encourage others to choose you.

A huge bonus of putting your business on third-party pages and review sites is the opportunity to interact with past and potential customers. 78% of people feel that a business cares more about them if they respond to a review, and happy customers tend to be repeat customers. 

responding to reviews stat

By reading reviews about your business, potential customers can learn why they should choose your business over a similar one in the area. They can essentially sell themselves on your products or services by reading about others’ great experiences with your business. 

Of course, every business experiences some negative feedback, both warranted and unwarranted. Having your business on a review site makes it easy for you to directly respond to negative reviews with thoughtful, kind responses that get your brand’s reputation back on track. You can demonstrate to your customer base that there are real people behind your business, and this humanization is likely to take you far and above your competitors. 

How to Respond to Reviews

The way you respond to reviews can make or break a customer experience. Learn how to respond the right way in this go-to article.

Choosing the Right Local Business Listing Pages and Review Sites

Even if you’re long familiar with the process, choosing the right local business listing pages and review sites to invest your time and resources in can feel overwhelming. Some are free, some cost–some vet their leads, and some make you compete with other businesses for bids. 

The best strategy is to simply start with the big names, and then make your way down–working consistently to establish a wide-reaching local presence. In many cases, your online presence will overlap across various sites, creating a network of reviews that you will need to keep consistent in order to maintain the strength of your brand. 

Reviews influence over 88% of consumers in discovering local businesses, but not all sites are equally impactful. 

Reviews influence consumers stat

Below, we’ve gathered some of the most influential local business listings and review sites to get you started. 

Google

It’s no secret that when it comes to managing multiple review sites, Google reviews should probably be your highest priority. This is due primarily to the direct effect Google reviews have on where you show up in Google search (the most popular search engine). If your average rating is consistently high and your reviews are recent, you’ll rank higher in relevant searches for businesses like yours. 

Considering that Google is typically the first place consumers begin their buying journey, even the smallest efforts to optimize your listing can make a big difference in the number of quality customers you’re able to attract. 

To take advantage of Google reviews, you must first create or verify your Google Business Profile. You must also submit (or update, if your listing already exists) all relevant information about your business. Once you’ve claimed your business, you can update your listing periodically, engage with customers, and respond to reviews easily.

Yelp

What’s the second big name you think of when you need to know who makes the best tacos in Dallas? Yelp. Approximately 97% of people patronize a local business that they first searched via Yelp. 

But with a world of Yelp listings to compete with, it takes more than simply posting your hours and services to catch the modern consumer’s eye. Your optimum Yelp listing will feature a business license (which allows you to appear as a verified business on the site), high-quality images, accurate pricing (and estimates, when necessary), and unique branding that sets you apart. 

branding example

To optimize your listing, first claim your business. Then, you can update your information and start engaging with and responding to reviews. While customers primarily use Yelp to leave business reviews, they also use the site to set appointments, ask questions, or ask your business for quotes. As you’re probably aware, Yelp recommendation software is set up to be strictly voluntary.

 However, Yelp still provides review badges for your site, as well as widgets to display your top reviews on your social media pages and stickers that say: “Find Us On Yelp” to direct the traffic online.

Yelp Reviews Explained

Trying to navigate Yelp and respond to customer reviews? We’ve got your covered. Check out our guide to Yelp reviews.

 

Bing

Much like Google Business Profile, Bing Places for Business serves as an extensive and informative directory for local businesses. The best part? It’s free

florist on bing

With a listing on Bing Places for Business, you can increase the visibility of your organization online and ensure accuracy of information. All of this empowers you to better maintain your reputation online and secure more leads without breaking your back. 

One of the serious advantages of Bing Places for Business is how much it can impact your SEO. By simply creating a strong, up-to-date listing on Bing, you can significantly increase your chances of getting found and earning more business across a wider variety of searches–appealing to a larger and more varied customer base.

Set Your Business Up on Bing

Looking to add your business to Bing? Check out our step-by-step guide.

 

Apple Maps

Did you know that there are over 1.2 billion iPhone users in the world? Naturally, one of the best ways to reach them is through the app their device already has–Apple Maps. 

Apple Maps

Of course, you probably already know that Apple Maps isn’t necessarily the most popular navigation app. You might not even use it. But, odds are that a fair amount of your customers use Apple Maps or at least switch between apps. Consequently, making sure you show up accurately on Apple Maps is taking the smarter approach–the omnichannel approach–which optimizes your chances for engagement, visibility, and awareness. 

Improving your Apple Maps listing is also a proactive move. The app is constantly improving and upgrading–implementing Business Chat (which will allow customers to contact local businesses directly through the app), and other features that are leading to increasing adoption by consumers. 

Make Apple Maps a Priority

Adding your business to Apple Maps is simple. Let us show you.

 

Foursquare

Foursquare for Business is one of the longest-established directory platforms, hosting listings for over 93% of storefronts with local channels. Over 50 million people visit Foursquare to find the best businesses and then share what they love about them. And more likely than not, they’re already having a conversation about you

foursquare

Consequently, creating (or claiming) your listing empowers you to more effectively engage your target audience (especially those in your area, who are most likely to become customers) and manage your online reputation. Pro tip: As users share images and tips from their experiences with you, you can apply their feedback to make your customer experience even better. 

Foursquare for Business also helps your business directly by offering unique tools that can help you stand out in the crowd. You can appeal to customers through special offers, deals, and discounts on your listing. You’re also able to use the Foursquare for Business Tips tool to offer your customers insider tips and details about your organization. 

Get on Foursquare

Think Foursquare is right for your business? Here are the steps to add your listing.

 

Nextdoor

Nextdoor acts like a neighborhood conversation board, allowing people to engage and discuss community events, find the best services, and request recommendations for which businesses they should support and connect with. 

Since Nextdoor currently covers almost 90% of all neighborhoods in the US and has over 10 million users, people in your area are probably already using it to find and patronize businesses like yours. 

Nextdoor

The real advantage of Nextdoor is its local focus. This local feel can make recommendations feel a lot more personal than they might on some of the bigger review sites, giving you an advantage and increased opportunity to connect. 

Users who see your recommendation might be more likely to buy from you and be near your physical location. With the addition of your great customer experience, this site can produce higher conversion rates than many others. To get started and show up on the right business page, your organization needs at least one Nextdoor recommendation. 

Curious About Nextdoor?

If you still have questions on how to best navigate Nextdoor, we have answers. Get the low-down on our blog.

 

Angi

Finally, we’re sure you’ve heard of Angi (formerly known as Angie’s List)–one of the most established home services sites in the industry. 

Over 150 million people have trafficked Angi’s site. You can list your business on Angi for free, though you have to pay a fee to actively advertise or obtain leads through the site. Users are able to see verified customer reviews and receive quotes, backed by the Happiness Guarantee. 

Angi

Just like a search engine, consumers can search Angi’s 500 home improvement categories for services they’re looking for to locate local options. It’s important to keep in mind that only paying members can see your reviews and that your business is also listed alongside competitors. 

Become an Angi’s Expert

If you’re part of a home service business, you need to be on Angi’s. Lucky for you, we have a guide to get you started.

 

The Best Local Business Listing & Review Site For Your Industry

When it comes to listings and reviews, you always want to begin with the big three: Facebook Review, Google Review, and Yelp. Once you’re listed on each of these, it’s time to expand your reach to dominate local sites that are unique to your community and industry. 

Automotive

When it comes to finding the best sites in the automotive industry, verified reviews and up-to-date inventory are your best friend. 

  • Edmunds. Edmunds offers up-to-date auto inventory and information, highlighting expert car reviews that are based on testing performed at the company’s personal site. Long trusted and known for its thorough analyses, getting on Edmunds can go a long way in getting you seen and established as a credible business. 
  • CarGurus. CarGurus puts buyers in direct contact with nearby dealerships and is particularly useful for navigating local listings. It’s also a great place for buyers to perform unbiased research with its helpful tools and informational resources.
  • DealerRater. DealerRater is highly trusted by consumers because reviews are checked twice for authenticity before they are posted to the site–once by a person, and once by an automated system. With the addition of certain features, the site does it all–allowing you to promote employees, engage with customers, manage your reputation, and automate review requests. 
  • Cars.com. This site also showcases top employees, whom buyers can contact directly. Cars.com also provides community guidelines to keep review standards high, facilitating a respectful, collaborative review culture. 

Retail

Getting people to your storefront isn’t always straightforward–but the following sites will ensure that you’re covering all your bases, no matter your sector. 

  • Local Facebook. Boasting almost 2 billion daily active users, Facebook is one of the top review sites for retailers. And it’s very effective. In fact, Facebook has helped approximately 78% of American consumers find retail products to purchase. And nearly 71% of consumers report being more likely to buy if they have a social media referral. Taking the time to create a business Facebook page for each of your locations (if you have multiple) can pay great dividends in keeping you top of mind for your customers. It can also draw in potential customers through high-quality reviews.
  • Tripadvisor. Claiming 490 million unique visitors each month, the Tripadvisor directory helps customers find businesses like yours (along with other local attractions) to visit and then review. Businesses wanting to increase their marketing reach can select from paid packages to enact ad-free listings, click-to-call options, and even data reporting for their business listings. You can also pay to have the site send review requests to recent customers. 
  • Consumer Reports. Funded by consumers who pay a subscription to utilize their database, Consumers Reports purchases, analyzes, and researches a slew of products, from appliances and electronics to cars and health products. They boast in-depth reviews (from both product experts and customers) and rate stores, and even provide affiliate links customers can click to buy products through various retailers that meet their standards.
  • Yahoo Localworks. This all-in-one platform helps small businesses manage their listings across a network of over 70 directories. These include digital maps, social networks, GPS systems, apps, and search engines. In doing so, Yahoo Localworks helps you ensure correct information for your customers regardless of the channels they are using, receive high-quality data reports (which can help you assess your acquisition strategies), and even respond more effectively to reviews.

Home Services

Besides Angi, here are a few other sites you should know about:

  • Houzz. Houzz is a reputable and highly trusted home design/remodeling site. It connects homeowners with the professionals and resources they need for their next big project. Houzz is known for their ease of use, outstanding customer support, and high-quality software. 
  • Porch. With over 3 million listings in their directory, this site connects homeowners with vetted contractors who can help with their projects. It sorts leads by asking for a budget and a timeline, and then alerts several pros in the area who compete for the lead. 
  • Buildzoom. This site partners with 2,000+ building departments and contractor license boards all over the country and boasts a catalog of nearly 4 million contractors. Each reviewer is certified through the contact information. 

Professional Services

If you’re involved in professional services and looking to get listed, finding a site that provides world-class legal information and cross-checking services can be a game-changer. 

  • Lawyers.com. This site kills because it doesn’t just have client reviews–it has reviews from other lawyers, too, making patrons feel like they’re getting the inside scoop on you and your business. There’s also a helpful blog and other informational resources to offer support. 
  • Martindale-Hubbell. This list was developed to supply the contact information for “one reliable law firm…in every city in the US.” Now, the site boasts over a million lawyers and even has resources for lawyers who are hoping to refer a client. 
  • The BBB. The mission of The BBB is to track and evaluate businesses’ performances. It also has high credibility because every reported complaint is investigated personally by administrators. 
  • NOLO. NOLO gives you several options for marketing and optimizing your profile, from targeted marketing ads to lead-generation methods. It’s also a top resource for DIY legal information, gathering information about what a client needs and generating a match. 
  • LegalMatch.com. This site generally ranks first for users, collecting information from potential clients and allowing lawyers who want to take the case to personally reach out to clients themselves. With this site, you’re able to vet your leads and exercise more control over the business you acquire. 

Healthcare/Dental

If you’re in the health industry, you’re probably already on WebMD. But here are a few other sites that should be on your radar when it comes to promoting your healthcare or dental practice: 

  • Healthline. Healthline provides a wealth of evidence-based articles and boasts the highest-quality user intent understanding, experience, and content. They are particularly on top of their social media presence and blog performance, offering an altogether outstanding experience. 
  • HealthGrades. Healthgrades places their reviews front and center, allowing you to contact doctors directly and displaying each of their ratings and reviews (including the highlights of their practice). The site immediately populates “doctors near you” for ease of use. With enough reviews, you could top the list.  
  • Zocdoc. Zocdoc helps prospective patients to set appointments, reminds them of follow-ups and sessions, and asks for a review after services have been provided. (Zocdoc serves the dental industry as well!) 
  • Treatwell. Treatwell provides a particularly convenient booking feature, making it ultra-easy for patients to find you and set appointments. You’re also able to share reviews that you get on the site on social media. 
  • 1-800 Dentist Review. When prospective patients visit this site, they have to answer five questions, which helps you save time and resources on vetting. After their visit, they also automatically have to review their experience, which takes a load off of your plate in terms of administrative tasks.  
  • Dentistry.com. This site is especially good for dentists, allowing them to engage with members of the community as well as existing and prospective patients. You are able to build rapport by answering questions, posting articles, and encouraging appointments. 
  • Vitals. This site is not only one of the largest, but also features an educational dental guide. It’s especially helpful in terms of connecting patients with local dentists. You should always try to feature on this site!
  • Caredash. Caredash has an excellent patient database and is reputed for being transparent and localized. It emphasizes quality connections and community, and is great for local businesses who want to establish long-lasting relationships and high-quality presence in their area. 

Financial Services

When it comes to financial services, demonstrating credibility and certifications seal the deal when it comes to listings and reviews. 

  • Wallet Hub. This company boasts a user rating of 4.8/5 stars on the app store, winning with customers everywhere. In their app (and on their site) WalletHub editors provide thousands of reviews of companies, professionals, and financial products as well. 
  • CPA Directory. Boasting over 600,000 certified public accountants, CPA Directory connects consumers to verified, local accountants who are licensed to operate in their areas. All listings are verified and reviewed as well. 
  • Lending Tree. Getting reviewed on Lending Tree connects you to thousands of vetted consumers who are seeking loans, allowing you to bid personalized loan offers.
  • TaxBuzz. TaxBuzz reviews don’t just appear on the TaxBuzz website–they actually show up on Google My Business as well. All reviews are verified and TaxBuzz even supplies reviewers with a background screening badge

How Third-Party Local Business Listing Pages Work

Now that we’ve gone through the sites, let’s chat about third-party listings. Third-party local business listing pages provide a platform for your business to share key information like location, phone number, opening hours, etc. But they also offer the added benefit of posting customer reviews so that online searchers can read about what it’s really like to buy from your business. 

Creating a Business Profile on Third-Party Local Business Listing Pages

For any third-party local business listing page, creating a business profile is typically pretty straightforward. When creating your business profile, you’ll be walked through prompts that take you through everything you need to add to really make the listing page work for you.

Creating a business profile allows you to share more about your business than you may be able to work into your professional website. It’s like giving your business more personality and uniqueness online, as well as creating a space where you can demonstrate your value by sharing customer reviews.

Because every business is unique, every business profile will be unique. But there is some key information every business should include in its business profile to build the right foundation for standing out online.

Adding Information to Your Business Profile on Third-Party Local Business Listing Pages

No matter which listing pages you choose, make sure that the information you provide on each is consistent, and accurate. At the bare minimum, you’ll want to include obvious, factual information such as location, phone number, opening hours, etc. 

Beyond key information, your listing page platform will prompt you to add more information that helps your business really stand out. You can often add things like the following to give page visitors a better idea of what your business is and what they can expect from you:

  • Evidence of business licensure
  • Special promotions
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Business specialties
  • The history of your business

Check out our step-by-step guides on how to add information to your business profile on Apple Maps and Merchantcircle.

Adding Photos and Videos to Your Business Profile on Third-Party Local Business Listing Pages

Pictures are worth more than a thousand words when it comes to discovering businesses online. Page visitors are likely to spend a lot more time on your business profile if you have photos and videos than just written text. 

The better a potential customer can visualize what their experience might be like at your business, the more confident they’ll feel to make a visit.

When adding to your business profile, try to keep photos and videos up to date. A lot can change in two years, and having outdated photos and videos are not likely to be an accurate representation of what your business is like today. You also want to make sure your media is aligned with current social concerns and events to avoid a publicity mishap. 

Choose photos and videos with great lighting and quality that are respectful, unique, and tasteful. Adding media like this to your business profile is an opportunity to give potential customers a sample taste of your business, and the more you impress, the more likely you are to convert page visitors to paying customers. 

Of course, this can all be done from your smartphone if you want to keep things simple. Some businesses choose to invest in a photographer for photos and videos to add to their business profile. Even if you are operating on a string budget, paying a talented friend a fee to make your business look great online can yield a huge return on investment. Aim to wow!

Best Practices for Third-Party Local Business Listing Pages

Although each business profile is unique, there are some best practices you can implement to make the most out of any platform you choose. Read on to learn how to make sure your third-party local business listing pages of choice really work for you. 

Tips for Creating an Effective Business Profile on Third-Party Local Business Listing Pages

People visit business profiles to locate accurate information about your business. But far from being just a boring list of information, you can use your business profile to make your business really come to life. Think of it as adding a personal touch to go beyond the basics. Having a business profile on a third-party local business listing page is an opportunity to share what makes your business special and motivate potential customers to choose you.

You can create an effective business profile by delivering exactly what potential customers are looking for, and then adding on extras that really wow visitors to your page. Page visitors are likely to be looking for basic information like location, phone number, opening hours, and reviews. 

Make sure to have these in your business profile at the very minimum if you can’t build out a full business profile right away, and to really highlight your reviews and members of your staff, if possible.

Give a Little Extra

Boost the effectiveness of your business profile by adding additional information that delights potential customers. A great starting point is posting special offers and coupons to incentivize first-time purchasers. You can also reward repeat customers who’ve referred others to your business by providing special discounts.

As much as possible, use keywords in your business description and in your special offerings. Do this sparingly; a business profile should not be treated as an opportunity for full SEO content. But adding in a few keywords here and there can show both search engine algorithms and page visitors alike that your business is the right fit for their needs.

Product and Service Descriptions

Sharing information about your products and services is an absolute must in building out an effective business profile. If a page visitor already knows you sell cookies, this is your chance to tell them why they should buy from you and not the other shop in town. 

Highlight key differences between your products and services and those of other nearby businesses. Do you offer special dietary considerations like gluten-free or vegan options? Maybe the t-shirts you sell are hand painted by local artists. Maybe you import your fragrances from a small town in Spain. Whatever it is that makes your products and services really special, bring that to the forefront.

Make an Introduction

A great way to connect with potential customers is doing a “meet the manager” or “meet the owners” post or section in your business profile. Here, you can share more about the faces behind your business and what’s really important to your team. Many buyers like to purchase from businesses that share their same values, and introducing yourself and your team is a way to establish that connection.

You can share things like what makes you passionate about your business, what you like most about your products, personal hobbies or beliefs that potential customers can relate to, etc. Local buyers especially like to understand who they’re purchasing from. A personal introduction may seem like an insignificant thing to add, but if done right, it can make all the difference in establishing a connection.

Share Your History

Potential customers often enjoy getting the inside scoop on your company and how it came to be! If you’re a local business, this type of information can pack even more of a punch by highlighting points of pride in local history. You can share how the business was established, what some of the early highlights and obstacles were, and how the early days of the business informs how you do things today. 

If you have pictures of your business from way back in the day, it doesn’t hurt to share those too. Page visitors can compare and contrast how your business looks now compared to when it was first established and gain an appreciation for the journey it’s taken over the years. 

Share your history

Share Your Mission

What does your business stand for? What are its values? How do you hope to grow? These are questions that potential customers may have when visiting your business profile, and this is the perfect opportunity to answer.

Sharing your mission statement further illustrates what your business stands for and hopes to accomplish. If you’re a local business, consider sharing how you support your community. Perhaps you serve on a local board or part of your profits are donated to local schools. Give potential customers insight into the good you’re trying to do, and they’ll be more likely to support.

Stay Connected on Social Media

Make sure to link to your social media pages so that people can connect with you on an ongoing basis. On social media, you can share fun, educational content that keeps your followers engaged, and your brand top of mind.

In reverse, you can also include links to your third-party business listings from your social media accounts. Try and make a personal connection with your customers on various channels to increase brand loyalty, conversion rates, and customer retention rates. 

Maintaining and Updating Your Business Profile on Third-Party Local Business Listing Pages

Visiting a listing with outdated information is confusing for customers and creates a significant lack of confidence in your business. Confused buyers don’t buy, and it’s very easy to keep your information up to date.

Set a reminder for yourself or your team to check up on your business profiles every few months to ensure that things are still up to date. Moved locations? Added a phone number? Your very first step should be to update this information online. Not only does this give your customers the right way to contact you, but it shows that your business is engaged and fully present for its customer base.

It’s easy for updating your business profile to fall to the bottom of the list of priorities. Trust us, this is the exact opposite of what you want to happen. By maintaining and updating your business profile consistently, you’ll generate and convert more leads. Don’t sleep on this opportunity to maximize your marketing

Final Thoughts 

People will only rely more and more on digital search and reviews to choose which brands they will patronize. As competition increases, only businesses with a strong online presence and a consistent review management plan will be able to continue to serve the modern customer. 

The more you can consistently and effectively communicate your story, brand, and personality through your reviews and listings, the more likely you are to build something that will last. However, this can be a lot for any small business to handle alone. That’s why we’re here to help. 

With Podium’s reviews tool, Cascade Collision now has a 4.8 average star rating with hundreds of reviews and has appeared in 59% more Google search results.

After adopting Podium, Dunn Tire saw a 5% increase in rating and 41x increase in average monthly reviews, surpassing 4,500.

Podium’s platform is a simple, streamlined suite of messaging tools that empowers you to take control of your reputation. Our Reviews tool allows you to not only collect thousands of high-quality reviews from multiple review sites, but also effectively manage, respond to, and analyze your reviews from one easy-to-use dashboard. Features such as notifications when a negative review is written, review time stamps, and automation tools can all help you get to the top of your game–and stay there. 

Start gathering reviews for free today with Podium.