Marketing Made Simple
You could spend years learning everything about marketing, but most small and medium business owners don’t have that kind of time. At its core, marketing is simply about making sure people who want your product or service know how to find you.
Before the internet, customers mainly found businesses in their own town or by flipping through the Yellow Pages. Today, instead of “letting your fingers do the walking” in a book, people go straight to Google or another search engine.
What Are Online Business Directories?
An online business directory is the modern version of the old paper directories. Some well-known names have moved online, and many new directories have appeared too.
Most directories work in a similar way:
- Customers can search by type of business (like plumbers, salons, gyms).
- Or they can search by location (like a specific postcode).
- Some directories focus only on one niche but cover a wider area.
Getting Your Business Listed
Most online directories offer free basic listings. Setting up is simple—just add your contact details, website, opening hours, and a short description.
Many directories also offer paid options to give your listing more visibility. A smart approach is to start with free listings, then track where your website traffic comes from. Invest more time and money into the platforms that bring you results, and drop the ones that don’t. Regularly check and update your listings so they stay effective.
Choosing the Right Directory
Listing your business everywhere isn’t always good—it can even look like spam. Focus on quality over quantity. The right directories can drive real customers to your website, which can then lead to more sales.