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Opinions regarding online Business Directories and Consumer Magazines

by siliconfox
5 replies
So a lot of times, there are sales agents trying to promote their digital marketing services to our business. I recently got a call and a follow up email from a company that says they will be giving 3 months free trial of their services.

This service will get the logo of our company, some pictures and details listed in their website... considering that their website only gets 2m google impressions and around 200k visits... and only around 20k fb followers, (I'm hesitant to spend money or even avail the free trial)

I mean these are stats easily achievable through google ads am I right?

For business owners and or digital marketers here, I would really love to hear your insights regarding this. also has anyone of you guys tried services like this? should I give it a shot?

Thanks lots
#business #consumer #directories #magazines #online #opinions
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  • Profile picture of the author siliconfox
    Hi guys, really need your opinions regarding this, Thank you very much!
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  • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
    Have you made sure your business is listed correctly on all the free directories out there?

    Ones like foursquare,Yalwa, Brown Book, Hotfrog etc etc.

    There are a ton that you can use. Make sure all your information is correct across all directories to help with building consistent info related to your business site.

    As for paying for directory listing I don't think that is value for money unless it happens to be something that is highly used by a specific niche you are targeting and you closely monitor the traffic so you know you are getting a positive ROI.

    Probably much better to spend your money on PPC with adwords for example.

    Best regards,

    Ozi
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    • Profile picture of the author siliconfox
      Originally Posted by Oziboomer View Post

      Have you made sure your business is listed correctly on all the free directories out there?

      Ones like foursquare,Yalwa, Brown Book, Hotfrog etc etc.

      There are a ton that you can use. Make sure all your information is correct across all directories to help with building consistent info related to your business site.

      As for paying for directory listing I don't think that is value for money unless it happens to be something that is highly used by a specific niche you are targeting and you closely monitor the traffic so you know you are getting a positive ROI.

      Probably much better to spend your money on PPC with adwords for example.

      Best regards,

      Ozi
      I have double checked my listings everywhere from google to yellow pages and so far they are accurate. However I haven't tried foursquare, yalwa, brownbook and hotfrog. I will check them out soonest. (do you think its still good that I list there even if my business is located in a third world country in asia?)

      Info regarding their proposal: they will be giving us a free trial which includes banner ads and whatever they will present in the coming day.. I for one am a bit skeptical since I know how to buy ads from fb and google anyway and make my own ppc (like instead of investing the money there after the free trial ill just make a more effective campaign on my own since I know my customers). But since they are so persistent in getting a meeting with me/us, I figured i'd hear them out since I'm curious what their marketing team will discuss. (I just hope their marketing team is part of this forums so it can be a bit more interesting)

      Thank you so much for your suggestion sir, It helped a lot.
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      • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
        Originally Posted by siliconfox View Post

        I have double checked my listings everywhere from google to yellow pages and so far they are accurate. However I haven't tried foursquare, yalwa, brownbook and hotfrog. I will check them out soonest. (do you think its still good that I list there even if my business is located in a third world country in asia?)

        Info regarding their proposal: they will be giving us a free trial which includes banner ads and whatever they will present in the coming day.. I for one am a bit skeptical since I know how to buy ads from fb and google anyway and make my own ppc (like instead of investing the money there after the free trial ill just make a more effective campaign on my own since I know my customers). But since they are so persistent in getting a meeting with me/us, I figured i'd hear them out since I'm curious what their marketing team will discuss. (I just hope their marketing team is part of this forums so it can be a bit more interesting)

        Thank you so much for your suggestion sir, It helped a lot.
        The reason you want to have all the directories with the correct data is to build consistency and authority regardless of your location. It's not like they are going to bring you any significant traffic but having the same message across as many locations pointing back to you can reassure prospects and help search results.

        Most businesses who try to sell advertising and other directory type services know business owners want traffic and customers to visit their website and their physical location if they have a store.

        They use tactics to get you to subscribe to their services knowing most businesses cannot accurately track or cannot be bothered to track actual results from their services.

        Even if there is traffic from some of these sources it may not necessarily be "buyer traffic"

        There is obviously no harm in taking a free trial but make sure you read the fine print and understand what it takes to cancel before signing up.

        One simple tip can be to look at other people who are advertising on the network and either call or email them for their opinion of the service. You may find out a lot more by speaking to their customers rather than the sales team who are trying to sign you up.

        Best regards,

        Ozi
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  • Profile picture of the author savidge4
    you might find this of interest. its a list of directories you can list your business on, broken down by category / niche

    https://www.brightlocal.com/2018/04/...ness-category/

    Here is another list that is location specific - By Country

    https://www.brightlocal.com/2018/02/...itation-sites/

    You really don't need to pay for this.. just weasel out enough time in your day to do 2 or 3 a day.

    hope that Helps!
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    Success is an ACT not an idea
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