8 Tips for Starting a Business Directory Website in 2021
December 10, 2020
Local business listings help merchants increase local visibility, improve search results, build credibility and drive traffic both to their website and in-store. Listings on national directory sites including Google, Yelp and Yellow Pages are great, but listings on local sites are also important for businesses looking for maximum exposure and to outshine the competition.
At a time when millions of small businesses are looking for affordable ways to advertise online locally, Ideal Directories offers an excellent opportunity to turn this demand into a profitable business. The easy-to-use Ideal Directories software platform allows you to launch your own online business directory and coupon website in your town or city.
If you’re planning on launching a business directory website in the New Year, here are a few simple tips on how you can get started and make the most of this business opportunity in 2021.
1. Get Started Early
Stop putting it off and sign up today. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can familiarize yourself with the platform, attend an upcoming training webinar, and prepare your site for its official launch.
This will give you a head start so that you can start promoting your site and even begin selling listings to local businesses. You will also be able to take advantage of the active promotion and discount that Ideal Directories is currently offering.
2. Keep Your Introductory Prices Affordable
The simplest and the most effective way to get a solid start and make quick inroads into your local market is to offer affordably priced plans. Many small businesses are struggling due to the Covid-19 crisis and the ensuing economic challenges. When you keep prices affordable, it becomes easy for businesses to see value in your sales proposition, even when they are on a tight budget.
We recommend offering a “starter” plan as little as $19/mo or $25/mo so it’s a no-brainer for any business. As you gain market share, you can then go on to offer higher priced plans that include more features and benefits for those same businesses as well as new customers as they start seeing the competitive advantage their business is getting.
3. Utilize Coupon Codes
The Ideal Directories platform gives you the ability to offer coupon codes that your advertisers can enter during sign-up. For instance, you can use coupon codes to offer a limited time discount to anyone who signs up in this January. Coupon codes are a time-tested sales strategy that makes it easier for your customers to decide fast and creates a win-win for both sides.
4. Get a Professional Logo
A professionally designed logo is the most impactful visual device that generates trust and builds credibility for any business. While Ideal Directories will help you create a great looking directory website, you can add more power to it with an original, sharp looking logo.
A quick Google Search will show you dozens of logo designer sites that will do the job for you for a small price. You should also look at popular platforms such as www.fiverr.com where you can find creative logo design freelancers who are willing to do it at a very affordable price.
5. Target the Right Businesses
If you're an individual entrepreneur just starting off, your goal should be to concentrate your sales and marketing efforts on businesses and industries that will deliver the maximum ROI.
Identify local brands, small retailers, pharmacies, restaurants, essential businesses, service businesses, professional practitioners (such as doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, and interior designers) and others that are largely dependent on attracting local clientele. These businesses will be more readily inclined to invest in local advertising.
6. Add Sample Listings to Your Site
At Ideal Directories, we recommend populating your online business directory website with sample listings. Sample business listings are vital marketing tools for any business because they help new customers visualize how they are going to look when they list or advertise on your site.
Adding sample listings of businesses in your area will also provide your site with valuable content that can help improve SEO and help you start generating traffic. This simple effort also encourages local businesses to think that other merchants are already paying you to be featured on your site. When they see their competitors advertising on your site, they will want to also.
7. Utilize Our Free Marketing Resources
At Ideal Directories, we provide a wide range of sales and marketing materials to help you look your best, send the right message and assist you in your sales efforts. When you sign up, you’ll instantly gain access to sample sales scripts, brochure templates, marketing flyers, and more. We also offer a free e-Book that features “100 Ways to Market Your Directory Website.”
8. Stay Committed and Think Long Term
Businesses increasingly realize the importance of local online reach and visibility in order to win the customers’ attention. As long as you stay committed and focus on building a solid brand name and providing excellent service, your local online directory business can continue to grow and prosper for years to come.
Ideal Directories is not offering a get-rich-quick opportunity that will disappear soon. We encourage you to think long term and work towards establishing a sustainable, profitable online business that will continue to produce recurring revenues.
We are here to Help!
If you have questions about getting started or wish to talk to an expert from our sales team, call us at (800) 408-3489. You can also request your free info pack from Ideal Directories here.
Local business listings help merchants increase local visibility, improve search results, build credibility and drive traffic both to their website and in-store. Listings on national directory sites including Google, Yelp and Yellow Pages are great, but listings on local sites are also important for businesses looking for maximum exposure and to outshine the competition.
At a time when millions of small businesses are looking for affordable ways to advertise online locally, Ideal Directories offers an excellent opportunity to turn this demand into a profitable business. The easy-to-use Ideal Directories software platform allows you to launch your own online business directory and coupon website in your town or city.
If you’re planning on launching a business directory website in the New Year, here are a few simple tips on how you can get started and make the most of this business opportunity in 2021.
1. Get Started Early
Stop putting it off and sign up today. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can familiarize yourself with the platform, attend an upcoming training webinar, and prepare your site for its official launch.
This will give you a head start so that you can start promoting your site and even begin selling listings to local businesses. You will also be able to take advantage of the active promotion and discount that Ideal Directories is currently offering.
2. Keep Your Introductory Prices Affordable
The simplest and the most effective way to get a solid start and make quick inroads into your local market is to offer affordably priced plans. Many small businesses are struggling due to the Covid-19 crisis and the ensuing economic challenges. When you keep prices affordable, it becomes easy for businesses to see value in your sales proposition, even when they are on a tight budget.
We recommend offering a “starter” plan as little as $19/mo or $25/mo so it’s a no-brainer for any business. As you gain market share, you can then go on to offer higher priced plans that include more features and benefits for those same businesses as well as new customers as they start seeing the competitive advantage their business is getting.
3. Utilize Coupon Codes
The Ideal Directories platform gives you the ability to offer coupon codes that your advertisers can enter during sign-up. For instance, you can use coupon codes to offer a limited time discount to anyone who signs up in this January. Coupon codes are a time-tested sales strategy that makes it easier for your customers to decide fast and creates a win-win for both sides.
4. Get a Professional Logo
A professionally designed logo is the most impactful visual device that generates trust and builds credibility for any business. While Ideal Directories will help you create a great looking directory website, you can add more power to it with an original, sharp looking logo.
A quick Google Search will show you dozens of logo designer sites that will do the job for you for a small price. You should also look at popular platforms such as www.fiverr.com where you can find creative logo design freelancers who are willing to do it at a very affordable price.
5. Target the Right Businesses
If you're an individual entrepreneur just starting off, your goal should be to concentrate your sales and marketing efforts on businesses and industries that will deliver the maximum ROI.
Identify local brands, small retailers, pharmacies, restaurants, essential businesses, service businesses, professional practitioners (such as doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, and interior designers) and others that are largely dependent on attracting local clientele. These businesses will be more readily inclined to invest in local advertising.
6. Add Sample Listings to Your Site
At Ideal Directories, we recommend populating your online business directory website with sample listings. Sample business listings are vital marketing tools for any business because they help new customers visualize how they are going to look when they list or advertise on your site.
Adding sample listings of businesses in your area will also provide your site with valuable content that can help improve SEO and help you start generating traffic. This simple effort also encourages local businesses to think that other merchants are already paying you to be featured on your site. When they see their competitors advertising on your site, they will want to also.
7. Utilize Our Free Marketing Resources
At Ideal Directories, we provide a wide range of sales and marketing materials to help you look your best, send the right message and assist you in your sales efforts. When you sign up, you’ll instantly gain access to sample sales scripts, brochure templates, marketing flyers, and more. We also offer a free e-Book that features “100 Ways to Market Your Directory Website.”
8. Stay Committed and Think Long Term
Businesses increasingly realize the importance of local online reach and visibility in order to win the customers’ attention. As long as you stay committed and focus on building a solid brand name and providing excellent service, your local online directory business can continue to grow and prosper for years to come.
Ideal Directories is not offering a get-rich-quick opportunity that will disappear soon. We encourage you to think long term and work towards establishing a sustainable, profitable online business that will continue to produce recurring revenues.
We are here to Help!
If you have questions about getting started or wish to talk to an expert from our sales team, call us at (800) 408-3489. You can also request your free info pack from Ideal Directories here.
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