How local online directories can support small businesses: pros and cons
I’ve been running a small bakery for about three years now, and while word of mouth is great, I sometimes feel like I’m missing out on people who don’t already know us. I stumbled across a local directory and noticed some businesses seem to get way more visibility just by being listed there. Have any of you actually seen a real difference in traffic or sales from being in one of these local catalogs, or is it more of a “nice to have” thing? I’m debating whether it’s worth the time to set everything up properly.
6 vistas
From my own experience, it does help — especially when you’re trying to reach new customers who aren’t driving past your storefront every day. A while back, I added my little landscaping service to a local directory, and I noticed calls started coming in from people who lived across town and probably wouldn’t have found me otherwise. The cool part is that directories usually group businesses by type and area, so if someone searches for companies in bellingham wa, you get exposure right next to others in your field. It’s not a magic button, but it definitely boosted awareness for me without spending on ads.