A complete online profile for your small business will attract the attention of search engines and build trust with customers. Here’s what your business listing needs.

Your small business is listed in a lot of places across the internet. When customers search for businesses like yours on maps, apps, and local directories, it’s crucial that they find correct information for your company. A bad phone number or old address listed anywhere online could steer customers in the wrong direction—and cost you business.

Complete information is just as important as correct information. Your business profile is the first impression many customers will have of your business. You want them to see a trusted, professional company—and that means a business profile with a high-quality photo, complete descriptions, and all relevant contact info.

Here are the key components your online profile needs to attract the attention of search engines and build trust with potential customers.

1. A Clear Profile Photo

A profile photo is one of the first things that a visitor sees when looking at your online profile. You want to make sure you use a high-quality image of your company logo across all your online profiles. You will also want to make sure the image is sized correctly to appear clearly to visitors. You should avoid using photos of yourself or of your services for this image to maintain consistent branding across all of your social media and online directory profiles.

2. Your Business Name & Username

You may think this one is obvious. However, because of the simplicity of this component, it tends to get overlooked. It is crucial to fill out your business name exactly as it appears on your website and signage. That includes terms like LLC, Co. or Inc. The username or handle on social media is different from your business name because you have a character limit. If someone is searching for you online and is unable to find you initially they might search by your username. For this reason, it is important to choose a username that is similar to what people would search for because it will appear in your URL.

3. A Good Bio Section

It is highly recommended that you ensure your bio makes it easy for visitors to figure out what kind of business you are. This section typically gives you a few sentences to a paragraph to describe your business to potential customers. Think of it as a space for a written elevator pitch and a chance to briefly present your business in the best light possible. What would you want visitors to know about your products and services? What sets you apart from the competition? Why should they choose you?

4. Category & Keywords

When potential customers find your business profile, you want them to see exactly what kind of company you own and the types of products and services you offer. Make sure you complete the industry, category, or related sections of your business profile with relevant keywords. Filling out these fields will also help boost your business listing in search engines, so the right customers find you when they’re searching for a business like yours.

5. Location & Hours

Consumers use social media and online directories to find and research local businesses. When deciding to visit a physical location, they immediately scan your page for business hours and a visible address. If you leave these pieces of information out of your profile, you could be missing out on potential visitors with inquiries about your business.

6. Website Links

When anyone visits a business profile, they usually will want to visit a working website to further research everything your business offers. It is important to include a link to your website in all of your profiles. Without a website link, visitors might assume you aren’t a legitimate or trustworthy business. If they feel like they can’t get additional information about your business, they might just move on to a competitor.

7. Contact Info

Lastly, when a visitor is visiting a business profile to make a purchase decision, they want to be able to find your business or reach you with little to no complications. If you don’t have a valid email address and phone number that is clearly visible on your profile, you could be missing out on inquiries that have the potential to turn into sales.

 

 

Source Manta.com