5 Advantages of a Business Directory Listing Compared to Other Forms of Advertising

Small business owners are always looking for new ways to promote their products and services and opportunities to get their brand in front of local consumers. When it comes to advertising, there are plenty of different options available for them to choose from. However, choosing the right option can be difficult.

From running ads in your local newspaper and magazine, to Google Ads online, each advertising medium has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important for small business owners to weigh out their options and identify which one(s) is best for their business. Oftentimes, a business owner’s goals and budget are essential factors that help determine the type of advertising they ultimately choose. But there are still other factors to consider.

Business owners want to know that the time, money and effort they put into advertising will help generate a desired outcome and return on their investment. Among the different advertising options available to a small business, directory listings are one of the most universally appealing, affordable and effective forms of advertising that a small business can benefit from. Keep reading to learn how a local directory listing compares to other forms of advertising and what makes it highly valuable for small businesses. 

Why Advertise on a Local Directory Website? 

There are plenty of reasons for a small business to advertise on a local directory website. A directory listing can enhance a business’s online presence, build their credibility, and connect them with local customers. Additionally, directory listings can improve a company’s search engine ranking and drive more traffic (and customers) to their website.

To further understand the benefits and how it compares to other advertising methods, here are five reasons why a business listing on a local directory website is an attractive option for any small business owner looking to promote their business.

1. Easy to Set Up

Small business owners are often responsible for many different aspects of their businesses, and while they are aware that it’s necessary to advertise their business in the community, they don’t always have the time to focus on it as much as they might want to.

Traditional advertising outlets like TV commercials, radio spotlights and postcards require a lot of time and preparation to get off the ground, and even more time when changes need to be made. Even social media marketing can be a huge time stealer for the average small business owner. Local directory listings are generally much easier to set up and maintain than other forms of advertising. With some basic business information, and a few clicks of the mouse, a business owner can create a listing on a directory website in minutes.

As simple as it is to set up, a business listing on a directory website is even easier to maintain or make changes. For example, a restaurant can update their hours of operation, upload a new menu or add photos to their directory listing in minutes.

With mybusinesslisting, the Add a Listing feature enables business owners to easily add their own listing and create an all important link for SEO to the local businesses own website and/ or social media pages.

2. 24/7 Exposure 

The longevity of an ad and how often it’s viewed varies tremendously among the different advertising options. For example, a television commercial or radio ad might be less than 30 seconds long and played only a handful of times a day. The odds of your target customer seeing or hearing it, is slim to none. Newspapers ads, postcards and direct mail have an even shorter shelf-life, and can cost thousands of pounds. Most people throw their local newspaper away without even viewing it.

In contrast, a directory listing offers a business 24/7/365 exposure. Their ad can remain visible and accessible on a website around the clock, all year long. Most importantly, it provides on-demand exposure. When a consumer searches for a local business on a directory, their listing will immediately appear allowing them to reach their target market whenever they perform a relevant search and thats not taking into account a small business is listed on an independent website and with 84% of people trusted online sources as much as family and friends.

3. Local Reach

It’s important for a business owner to consider their target audience when choosing a medium to advertise. For example, billboards may be a good choice if a business is trying to reach commuters traveling in and out of a city. Television advertising is great at appealing to a larger audience, but is often too broad for your average small business. Most small businesses prefer to target local customers who live in close proximity to their business.

A directory website is a great way to reach local customers. The majority of local customers will go online to find local shops and services. In fact, nearly half (46%) of all Google searches consist of users seeking local information. By advertising on a local directory website, businesses can target customers specifically in and around their town or city. 

4. Affordability  

Price is a factor when making any type of purchase decision. The same holds true for deciding where to advertise. Sure, the idea of running a television commercial might sound appealing, but it’s just way too expensive for most small businesses. Even some online advertising platforms like Google Ads or Bing are expensive.

A local directory listing is an affordable form of advertising that can fit into just about any small business’s marketing budget. Compared to other advertising options, a business directory listing is by far the most feasible option for many small businesses and allows them to get the best ‘bang for their buck.

5. Measurable Results 

One of the biggest problems with advertising is the ability to measure results. For example, a newspaper or magazine can share the number of papers or magazines they print, but no one can truly know how many people actually see an ad. In the same way, a television station can share its audience size, however there’s no guarantee that every viewer saw a particular commercial. The point is, without clear, measurable results, a business has no idea how effective their advertisement was.

Local directory listings, on the other hand, have measurable results, which makes them more attractive to business owners looking for a return on their investment. Directory owners can provide real-time stats to their advertisers so they know how much attention their listing is getting. From total views to website visits.

While businesses are always on the hunt for new ways to advertise and reach new customers, the solution isn’t always clear. Many traditional forms of advertising are becoming obsolete or prohibitively expensive. Some online options like Google, Facebook and Yelp sound attractive on the surface, but fall short and still don’t meet the needs and budget of the average small business.

Businesses need an advertising option that is easy, relevant, local, affordable, and measurable. That’s where my business listing can help, so don’t delay list your business on the my business listing Business Direcory today BEFORE your competitor get there first, as we only allow up to 6 businesses of each sector per area.