Today’s rapidly changing business world is more competitive than ever before. Whether you run a legal placement firm, manage a law practice or own a business, having an easy-to-navigate website is a good start. Unfortunately, if your target audience can’t find your site in the first place it isn’t going to matter.
Attracting, engaging and converting new clients or customers requires an online marketing strategy that’s up for the challenge. Including business directories in your marketing mix is one impactful way to stay ahead of the competition.
What Is a Business Directory?
A Web directory is basically an online version of the Yellow Pages. As a type of Web directory business directories are online company indexes that list businesses alphabetically. Some directories are industry specific, while others are not. In most business directories each business’ entry is also linked to their website.
In simple terms, business directories help users find companies with the products or services they need. A user can also narrow down their search even further by accessing local directory listings or a small business directory specific to a given industry.
Why Add Business Directories to Your Marketing Strategy?
From the standpoint of search engine optimization (SEO), having your company listed in a business directory is beneficial. Not only does it make your website easier to find, it creates an additional backlink that helps boost your SEO ranking. But that’s not all.
In today’s high-tech business world directories are now being used to precisely market those websites to potential clients and customers.
Here’s what to look for when deciding which online directory to list your business on:
Expands your online presence
Once your business is listed on a given directory, other directories then gather information off there to compile their own business directories. Without having to take further action, or spend precious time and money, your online presence will grow as a result.
Offering forums where users can interact and ask questions related to your industry is another way a business directory can expand your digital footprint. And finally, a good directory will also group listings into niche categories that help simplify searches for potential clients or customers.
Helps you update your website
A worthwhile business directory does much more than improve your SEO. They take care of their clients by communicating frequently with them. For example, better directories send email alerts reminding users to update website content which helps prevent traffic from slowing down.
Other ways that an online business directory can help you improve content on your site is by providing accurate, consistent website reviews that search engines use to rank the different sites. And finally, a good business directory should supply you with debugging reports that improve website security.
Empowers your local SEO strategy
Some business directories also use geographical data to pinpoint the location of your business so that users can then access your updated contact information, all of which helps boost your visibility in the local market. That contact information may include your address, phone number and social media pages.
Some online directories even provide your precise location by generating a map. As part of your business’ overall local SEO strategy, all these value-added directory services will ultimately help you attract, engage and convert members of your target audience.
Builds brand awareness
Once you’re listed on a trusted business directory your website information will be updated regularly, including images, logos, verified listing badges, industry awards, etc. Those updates help build brand awareness as your profile boldly appears in the search engine results. In many cases, the more your profile stands out the more likely it is that it will get clicked on.
Increases your credibility
Some business directories allow your website to get penalized due to inconsistencies and spam. A good directory won’t let that happen because they constantly update their listings. The more credible a directory is, the more credible your listed website will be.
Good business directories also include user reviews that share their experiences while navigating through the listings found in the directory. Many Internet users tend to trust those reviews, which ultimately influences their choices. Getting positive reviews ultimately boosts your company’s credibility.
Strengthens your online reputation
Managing your online reputation can be a real hassle. Although bad reviews can affect the amount of traffic flowing to your website having a mix of both positive and negative reviews improves your online reputation. In other words, it makes you appear more genuine to readers. A reputable business directory has built-in reputation management tools that facilitate that process.
Do Industry Specific Sites Benefit Legal Recruiters?
Of all the online business directories out there, some of the best ones are industry specific, like Zillow, Trip Advisor and AutoTrader. When you’re competing in the legal industry it makes perfect sense to list your business on a directory that’s more likely to be viewed by target audience members.
For example, if you own a legal placement firm why would you want to advertise it in a used car buying forum? An industry specific directory that markets itself effectively will have a larger traffic volume that makes getting your site noticed more likely.
Because the average Internet user is seeking answers for a specific question, like legal recruiters in New York City, they will conduct their search within a given industry niche. Once your business appears in that niche thanks to an industry focused business directory, you’ll be reaching as many users as possible!
Is Directory Marketing Worth the Investment?
Compared to all the digital marketing strategies out there, marketing your business through a credible online directory should provide you with a high return-on-investment.
The key is finding a good industry specific directory that’s run by highly qualified marketing professionals who have your best interests in mind. Once you do, the sky’s the limit when it comes to realizing your true marketing potential!
Add the Legal Recruiter Directory to Your Marketing Mix
Staying competitive in today’s fast-paced digital world isn’t easy. At Deep Footprint, the agency behind the Legal Recruiter Directory, we specialize in results-driven digital marketing solutions for legal headhunters, law firms and legal placement firms.
Helping those we serve realize higher client engagement and conversion rates is something we excel at every day. The Legal Recruiter Directory also provides online support that helps legal recruiters place talented active or passive attorney candidates with prestigious law firms and corporations so that all parties win.
