Business directories are an essential and valuable addition to your online marketing strategy. Not just do a large number of people search each day for businesses on their favourite free directory, but in addition the majority of business profiles on directories are indexed by Google and other major search engines.

Should I advertise on free business directories?

In a phrase, yes - links to these fujairah trips adverts (business profiles) are shown when people action a simple search in Google and other search engines, for example, a look for'Pubs'in'Wapping'currently displays all links to pubs in Wapping on business directories, e.g. Beer in the Evening, Trusted Places, View London etc. So if you're a pub in Wapping then it's imperative that you will be listed on these directories to be able to stand a real and quick chance to be on Google page one.

Exactly why is it so vital that you be on Google page one search results?

People searching for your company or business type usually want to locate what they are looking for the moment possible. The quickest way to do this is always to action a search then scan all the links displayed. Many user searches will amend their search terms as opposed to hitting subsequent pages of the initial search. So getting your organization to page one in Google and other search engines is important if you want to achieve new enquiries / customers.

What're the statistics for individuals who only consider the first page of a Google search?

Well about 90% of searches go no further than page one, and Google alone handle 88bn search queries every month - that's 80bn page one only search queries. This means you actually will need to have page one prominence being an objective in your SME online marketing strategy plan.

Should I employ an SEO expert to simply help me can get on page among Google?

Well, there are lots of SEO consultants out there that will allow you to build a technique to achieve this, however, 90% of it is straight-forward, and by spending several hours per week reading blogs and books provides you with a larger understanding. Then a few hours per week making simple SEO changes to your website (on-page SEO), writing high quality and informative articles on your business area and creating business directory profiles (off-page SEO), will produce significant benefits over time. Doing this will really help you get beneath the skin of SEO, and will help you identify an excellent SEO consultant from the dodgy ones when you need further help to create an advanced SEO development plan.

What online business directories should I list my business on?

First, the more quality online directories you are on the more chance you have to improve customer enquiries and visits to your personal website. This is because each business directory is different, they often all have their very own unique structure and SEO qualities. For instance, say you are listed on ten directories with similar content, and then a potential customer searches for your company enter Google - the search results may only display one of the ten links to your business. However, a slightly amended user search may show a connect to another free directory. So in conclusion, you will need to represent your business on as numerous established and quality directories as you can.

Does being listed on lots of business directories have an adverse impact?

No - not if you're clever about your business directory marketing strategy. Simply follow my top 5 rules to advertising on business directories to ensure you maximize of online directory advertising:

Choose only well respected and quality online directories (look at forums and blogs for recommended business directories)

Spend quality time creating all this content you are able to on each, e.g. text, images, video etc

Think about what keywords you want to target and include them in the business description and keywords

Don't (repeat don't) copy and paste your company description into each free directory - create fresh and unique content on each one of these

Consider upgrades to priority listings and links to your website - remember getting a link to your business website is critical

Good luck out there, and remember, whilst the old saying'content is king'was true in the last decade, I believe it's evolved to'quality content is king'in today's information rich world.