Every business, small or large, has a website. Your website is often the first impression customers have of your company, and it is essential to ensure that it is up-to-date, accurate, and error-free. You may also want to list your business on directories and rating websites like Yelp or Google My Business to increase visibility.
However, there are a few things you should avoid doing when listing your business online. Here are
10 common problems with business listings that you should avoid:
Not Updating Information:
It’s essential to keep your information current on all of the websites where you are listed. This
includes updating your address, phone number, operation hours, and other pertinent information.
Customers will frequently check these websites for accurate information, so it’s essential that it
be correct. So, update your listings if you’ve moved recently or changed your phone number.
Incorrect Information:
Along with keeping your information up-to-date, it’s also essential to ensure it is correct. Typos
happen often, but they can be detrimental to your online presence if not corrected quickly.
Besides this, you don’t want potential customers driving to the wrong address or calling the
wrong phone number. This could result in a decline in business. So, it’s essential to regularly
check your listings and ensure that all your information is accurate.
Using Fake Profiles:
Some businesses create fake profiles to get good reviews or manipulate search engine rankings.
This is unethical and can get you banned from various websites. In this case, it is best, to be honest, and transparent about your business.
Other than this, you should also avoid using duplicate listings, as this can create confusion
among customers and search engines.
Not Claiming Your Listing:
Many businesses don’t bother claiming their listing on rating websites like Yelp or Google My
business which can lead to inaccurate information being displayed or, worse yet – no listing at all.
By claiming your listing, you can control the information displayed and ensure that potential
customers have the most accurate information. However, simply claiming your listing is not enough – you also need to regularly update and manage it to ensure that the information remains
accurate.
Having an Unprofessional Website Design:
If your website looks unprofessional, customers will assume that your company does. This may dissuade potential customers from doing business with you. Ensure your website is designed well and conveys the right message about your company.
Besides this, you will also want to ensure that your website is mobile-friendly. Nowadays, most people use their mobiles to search for anything online. You will lose potential customers if your website is not designed for mobile devices.
Offensive Language or Images:
Nothing turns away potential customers faster than offensive language or images in a company
website or listing page. Stay away from anything raunchy or vulgar, and try to keep your image clean and professional. So, when writing your business descriptions, keep it PG, avoiding profanity, graphic descriptions, and anything else that could be considered inappropriate for a general audience.
Lack of Contact Information:
Many businesses make the mistake of not including contact information on their website or listing pages. This makes it difficult for customers wanting to do business with you offline to get in touch with you quickly. Include your business name, address, phone number, and email address on your online listings.
No Social Media Links:
Most companies now have social media accounts and those that don’t miss out on an excellent opportunity to reach more people online. Make sure that your website and listings include links to your social media accounts so potential customers can easily find them.
However, don’t just post links to your social media accounts without having anything on them. Keep your accounts active and updated with fresh content so people will want to follow you
Including too Much Information:
While providing visitors with all the relevant information about your company is essential, be careful not to overdo it. Too much text, complex graphics, and videos can overwhelm visitors and cause them to take their business elsewhere. A good rule of thumb is to provide just enough information to get your point across without bombarding visitors with too much information all at once.
Learn More: https://freesubmissionsite.com/business-listing-sites/
Confusing Navigation Menus:
If visitors have difficulty finding what they’re looking for on your website, they’ll likely leave without taking action. Ensure navigation menus are easy to understand and use a logical hierarchy so visitors know where they are within the site structure.
