Local Search Tactic #4 – Directory

There are MANY different directories on the internet and it is a good idea for the local business owner to get listed on as many of them as possible.  Most of them are free and submitting your listing creates valuable backlinks to your website.  The more backlinks you have the more you increase your search engine optimization and exposure on the internet.

But wouldn’t you be in a better position to Dominate Your Local Market if you owned the directory?

I know that you are an expert in your business and were not planning on launching an online diirectory, but this tactic can be accomplished quickly (about 3 hours) and inexpensively ($10).  Since most of the directories are national, setting up a “locally targeted” directory will put you into a more specific category with less competition.  This will also give you an opportunity to make money anytime someone clicks on the site, regardless of whether they are clicking on your link or your competitors.

For my wife’s local business I went to DevHub and set up a site.  Her company manages properties in Manatee and Sarasota County, Florida, so I expanded it to Southwest Florida Property Managers.  Then, I created a page for each of the cities in the region (you get unlimited pages) and added local listings for each page.  The listings are affiliate links for SuperPages so they are really pay per click ads.  I included a few pictures, but gave her company premium listings at the top right of the pages for the cities she covers.  This creates a premium advertisement for her business and more links back to her website. I also added a page where businesses can purchase a premium listing for $19.99 for six months.  This can be set up easily with a paypal subscribe button and is essentially a way for your competitors to buy advertising from you.

You still have to build a few links to the new directory, but this can be done on bookmarking or social media sites.  You also should buy the domain with keywords that will rank high for the local category.

By using this tactic you create a site where you generate leads for your business, create relevant links to your company website, make money when someone clicks on a competitor’s link or when you sell a premium advertisement.

For more LOCAL MARKET DOMINATION tactics, small business marketing theories and lifehacks subscribe by email or RSS.

Related posts:

1. Local Search Tactic #1 – Google Maps This post definitely had to be the first tactic...
2. Local Search Tactic # 3 – Steal Traffic Yes, this is one of the more cutthroat tactics,...
3. Local Search Tactic #2 – The Zip Cloud Whenever I am searching for something local, I will...
4. Local Search Tactic #7- Neighborhood Blogger I once read an e-book from an internet marketing...
5. Local Search Tactic #5 – Blogs I know what you are thinking, I’m an accountant,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.