Are Local Business Directories dead?

as a business owner, I would love to be in every directory listing that is relevant. Yours sounds relevant.

However, as a consumer, I can't imagine I would ever use your site because google maps is my life blood...

I think small town markets would get better traffic from offline advertisements

These directories are actually among the most profitable. I work with a couple of different clients that do local directories and make 6 figures each year.

My local business directories do extremely well, and yes they are a conduit for other business services.

Finishing a new local-niche business directory (and plan to be huge). My directory does things that (so far) no other directory's do. It is lacking in a few places (namely, manual directory management) but I'm excited to launch in afew weeks. This has been one of my own side projects and is pretty badarse

Hopefully I'm not too late to the discussion.....I too have found a great high-end micro-niche directory need that I'm fairly confident I can get exact match domains ranked on first page of google....with very good traffic numbers.

Does anyone know of a wordpress theme that I can use where the directory would include individual listings in the middle and on the perimeter I could sell banner ads on both sides....just curious if anyone can help...

I see the local ones in my area, offering more than just a directory. I know one of the owners, and he has several, and appears to be doing more than ok. You have to be more than just a directory.

It depends on you.

If your local business directory is unknown in your local community, do you know who's fault that is? Yours.

If you can make your local business directory known in your town, then everyone will want to advertise there, period, because they know their customers probably know too.

And once you are known, you can charge for placement, although I like giving a free listing to everyone and an advanced listing to those who pay.

FYI: I use Directory press. Just to note I am an affiliate.

Now, to respond, hopefully without bias.

google maps: DP has 2 very good options for including maps with each listing, standard maps, or GPS positioning (interactive) maps.

The theme, as it is wordpress, has a lot of flexibility, I especially like the ease in adding custom info to forms. Such as letting submitters embed video.

As for local dying, No Way.

There are several ways to take advantage of local directories.

Personally, I started my first one, only as a lead generator, as I was going after business clients. They pre-qualify themselves by adding their free listings.

I am now selling add space. From free to full pages (80%) of the page.

Once again, I am using it as lead generation for offering SEO, and consulting services.

facebook: Since many people are not aware of one of the major differences between pages, and profiles, many of those wanting to use facebook for free, don't realized that not everyone will see their postings.

Facebook is not as freely indexed as your own website would be. You get to make the rules as opposed to following facebooks rules.

the ultimate, is to get your website to the top of google, making it the local authority site. This is a bonus for your clients. Mainly, if your clients list with you, their info is highly likely to get indexed by google, yahoo, bing, and many other sites. Yet another way for surfers to find your clients.

You may find that you are able to offer thru your directory other unique services.

You may find that you are your own best customer.

In one of my earlier directory still sites, I had trouble getting advertisers for just the directory. So, I became my own best customer, by putting my webhosting ads all over the site. Because as a directory it was continually updated, and that meant, frequent spidering and indexing by larger searchengines. So, even though I did poorly in selling ads space, I was able to get several hosting clients, because they found the directory.

The same strategy, can be used if you are a local roofer, plumber, artists, etc.

Build a local directory, and become the main sponsor.

Just a few points to consider.

Kelvin

Small local businesses spend a small fortune each month advertising in local papers. Classifieds in the weekly rag show the same small ads each week.

One of the pieces of advice that I give to small business website owners, is to sign up and join any directory website because the reciprocal links will help push their site.

Even without a website, directory sites are a source of leads - a surprising number of web visitors use them to search for local services.

In my area a directory site has been very successful and has promoted itself through billboards all over town - result is we all know its name (name of the town) and they have a huge following, they dominate local advertising.

Directory sites absolutely have their place.

Having a directory is one thing but having a successful directory is another.

The problem is these days papers are dying quickly and they are moving into the directory area so big competition and they have lots of money to throw at them.

Quentin

Local business directories are diffently alive and thriving....a lot of money can be made from listings if done correctly. I utilize this continuously within my marketing arsenal

A lot more flop than make it though. The real question is.. is there enough room for another in your, or any area.

I mostly use them as citations for Google Maps.

There is definitely room, the key is optimizing your directory to rank high for all the terms your targeted customers want and then it's an easy sell.

What's the best Wordpress theme or plugin to use for this? I've tried all the 'business directory' type plugins for WP and they're all horrible or limited. I'm thinking of just making a new post for each business. Would that be the best way? If so, what theme(s) would you recommend? Thanks.

Templatic has a great Geoplaces theme also.
Look it up.
I am using that to set up a directory.
As KElvin is, I am using it as lead generation, but also to help small locals get online.
This is a GREAT way to set yourself up as authority in your area, AND to get to know all your locals!