How to Market Your Online Business Directory
When it comes to marketing your business directory, we wrote the book on it (literally). We compiled a list of 100 Ways to Market Your Online Directory and put together an easy-to-read eBook.
Here are a sample of some quick, practically FREE tips, to help you get started. We’ll share the rest when you sign up.
1. Find a good domain name for your directory website. Make sure it’s catchy, easy to remember, and easy to spell. You can purchase a domain name from here: http://www.cheapneasydomains.com/
2. Pay attention to SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Be sure to edit the meta tags, including the title tag, description and keywords for each page. Crafting the right SEO terms for your directory website will lay the foundation for your search engine optimization and help drive relevant traffic to your site.
3. Submit your directory website to search engines. It’s important to manually submit your directory website URL to major search engines like Google, Yahoo/Bing, and others, so they can index your site and start including it in search results.
4. Write a press release to announce the launch of your directory website. Make sure it points out the benefits that your directory website offers to both local consumers and local businesses. Be sure to include a link to your business directory domain in the article. Many PR services may even offer to help distribute your press release in print and across the web.
5. Create a Facebook Page, Twitter Account, and Instagram account for your business directory website. Use it to promote your brand, feature your advertisers, and connect with local consumers.
6. Join a local Chamber of Commerce. This not only gives you the opportunity to rub shoulders with local business owners and sell advertising on your directory website, but also gives you credibility as a fellow business owner in your community.
7. Offer free listings to local businesses. Free listings are great for several reasons; they help you populate your directory fast, they help build trust with advertisers who can upgrade later, and they help highlight the value of any premium plans you offer.
8. Utilize email marketing. Email marketing can be beneficial for communicating with local customers who visit your site and with local businesses who might be interested in advertising on your directory website.
9. Start a blog. Be sure to blog about things relevant to your directory and that interest both your visitors and your advertisers.
10. Hit up the local cafe, supermarket or diner. Many will have a community events bulletin board where you can post a flyer or promotional piece for your local directory website.
Here are a sample of some quick, practically FREE tips, to help you get started. We’ll share the rest when you sign up.
1. Find a good domain name for your directory website. Make sure it’s catchy, easy to remember, and easy to spell. You can purchase a domain name from here: http://www.cheapneasydomains.com/
2. Pay attention to SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Be sure to edit the meta tags, including the title tag, description and keywords for each page. Crafting the right SEO terms for your directory website will lay the foundation for your search engine optimization and help drive relevant traffic to your site.
3. Submit your directory website to search engines. It’s important to manually submit your directory website URL to major search engines like Google, Yahoo/Bing, and others, so they can index your site and start including it in search results.
4. Write a press release to announce the launch of your directory website. Make sure it points out the benefits that your directory website offers to both local consumers and local businesses. Be sure to include a link to your business directory domain in the article. Many PR services may even offer to help distribute your press release in print and across the web.
5. Create a Facebook Page, Twitter Account, and Instagram account for your business directory website. Use it to promote your brand, feature your advertisers, and connect with local consumers.
6. Join a local Chamber of Commerce. This not only gives you the opportunity to rub shoulders with local business owners and sell advertising on your directory website, but also gives you credibility as a fellow business owner in your community.
7. Offer free listings to local businesses. Free listings are great for several reasons; they help you populate your directory fast, they help build trust with advertisers who can upgrade later, and they help highlight the value of any premium plans you offer.
8. Utilize email marketing. Email marketing can be beneficial for communicating with local customers who visit your site and with local businesses who might be interested in advertising on your directory website.
9. Start a blog. Be sure to blog about things relevant to your directory and that interest both your visitors and your advertisers.
10. Hit up the local cafe, supermarket or diner. Many will have a community events bulletin board where you can post a flyer or promotional piece for your local directory website.