17 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
17 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Directory submission services

by Joe85
15 replies
Anyone think it's a viable/profitable opportunity to start a service like this? Specifically I would be registering different local businesses with online directory services. I would also be setting up google places listings and doing some SEO. I assume the hard part would be convincing businesses why they need my service. Would love some input.

Thanks,

Joe
#directory #services #submission
  • Profile picture of the author Kumaris
    Originally Posted by Joe85 View Post

    Anyone think it's a viable/profitable opportunity to start a service like this? Specifically I would be registering different local businesses with online directory services. I would also be setting up google places listings and doing some SEO. I assume the hard part would be convincing businesses why they need my service. Would love some input.

    Thanks,

    Joe
    What the mind can conceive you can achieve..

    Our opinions as to whether or not this can work is not valid/valuable. Anyone can make ANYTHING work, it's just a matter of how much you believe in yourself and your product. Wealthy people are wealthy, because they choose to do things different than the rest of the population. The things that other people don't want/would not necessarily do..

    Good luck
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5866675].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Joe85
      Yes, I am aware that passion and hard work can make this work. I'm just wondering if any of you know or have heard of anyone doing this.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5866975].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Joe85
    Come on folks, I'm reakky looking for your thought on this.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5867568].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KenL
    So you're thinking bout competing with this Local Business Listings Service - Business Listings
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5867959].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MSpencer
    I guess it's a good idea. It's kind of like a specialized SEO service since you are only going to do directory submissions. Just a reality check, since this is a specialized SEO service, you might want to lower down your rate as compared to a full on SEO ranking package.
    Signature
    Business Contact List | Lead List | Mailing List

    Need business lead lists?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5868414].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Joe85
    So, I checked out sites of other SEO businesses marketing this service. A lot of them are doing up to 500 directory submissions for $50 bucks. Now it takes about 5-7 minutes to go on a directory site and submit my business when I do it. So if I do my math right then that tells me it would take 50 or so hours to earn $50 bucks? Can anyone explain how people advertising manual directory submissions can submit to so many for such a small charge?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5869725].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author KenL
      Originally Posted by Joe85 View Post

      So, I checked out sites of other SEO businesses marketing this service. A lot of them are doing up to 500 directory submissions for $50 bucks. Now it takes about 5-7 minutes to go on a directory site and submit my business when I do it. So if I do my math right then that tells me it would take 50 or so hours to earn $50 bucks? Can anyone explain how people advertising manual directory submissions can submit to so many for such a small charge?
      It's getting done in India a country where the labor is much cheaper than here. How you can make money with your idea is to charge a local business $250 or whatever amount you like and have the work done for $50. Do the same thing with selling them websites, seo service, etc. You can create your own business offering those services without actually doing the work yourself. Have I got your wheels turning upstairs yet?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5875102].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Green Moon
      Originally Posted by Joe85 View Post

      So, I checked out sites of other SEO businesses marketing this service. A lot of them are doing up to 500 directory submissions for $50 bucks. Now it takes about 5-7 minutes to go on a directory site and submit my business when I do it. So if I do my math right then that tells me it would take 50 or so hours to earn $50 bucks? Can anyone explain how people advertising manual directory submissions can submit to so many for such a small charge?
      I think it is because it isn't really manual. It is probably semi-automated, with software filling in the fields and a live person perhaps looking over the category to make sure it is the right one.
      Signature
      Find an Accountant | Tax Help
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5875152].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Joe85
    Thanks for the feedback guys. KenL, yes you have my wheels turning. I've always thought about outsourcing work, it just makes me nervous attaching myslef to someone on the other side of the world. Do you guys find that safe? GreenMoon, I do think a lot of businesses are advertising manual submission when their not really doing so. I now have to come back with a response to clients as to why I would be charging $250 when they see online they can get it from others for $50 bucks.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5875650].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author somacorellc
      Business owners are not going to ask you this.

      Originally Posted by Joe85 View Post

      I now have to come back with a response to clients as to why I would be charging $250 when they see online they can get it from others for $50 bucks.
      Signature
      Web Design Columbia SC
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5875721].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author KenL
      Originally Posted by Joe85 View Post

      I do think a lot of businesses are advertising manual submission when their not really doing so. I now have to come back with a response to clients as to why I would be charging $250 when they see online they can get it from others for $50 bucks.
      You really think the process of citation creation can be automated? Have you tried creating one? Go to merchant circle or hotfrog and try making one and you'll see how varied these sites are. Then the email verification part, how do you automate that? If there was a bot that can create citations with a push of button, I would've found it by now, believe me I've looked long and hard.

      To address your very last concern:
      If you're going to assume the business owner is going to seek ways to do all these services themselves then we can end this thread right here, you know what I mean? If the biz owner knows everything you know, then yes they wouldn't need your services. But that's not how it is out there in the real world, otherwise how are fellow warriors here able to operated the businesses that they have offering these same services?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5875900].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Joe85
    Ken, your right, thanks for helping motivate me even more. So a lot of SEO companies just outsource the work? Their good at putting things together and making things happen. I do wonder if I wanted to offer web design services how I would be able to setup websites for a business. Wouldn't I have to use their banking acct, and give that too the web designer to setup a site with a host and everything?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5876005].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    Originally Posted by Joe85 View Post

    Anyone think it's a viable/profitable opportunity to start a service like this? Specifically I would be registering different local businesses with online directory services. I would also be setting up google places listings and doing some SEO. I assume the hard part would be convincing businesses why they need my service. Would love some input.

    Thanks,

    Joe
    =========

    I would suggest that in any presentation that you will make whether offline or online marketing, you need to showcase your skills and your edge amongst those who are doing the same services.

    I am into Mobile Marketing, I can help you if you want - just shoot me an email or just message me here.

    Cheers!

    Mary
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5876080].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Joe85
      Mary, thanks for posting. What do you do for your clients? I'm just trying to learn as much as I can.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5876612].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Hugh
    Just remember part of your competition is some guy on Fiverr
    claiming to submit to three thousand directories for $5.

    Hugh
    Signature

    "Never make someone a priority in your life who makes you an option in theirs." Anon.
    "Some see private enterprise as a predatory target to be shot, others as a cow to be milked, but few are those who see it as a sturdy horse pulling the wagon." -- Winston Churchill

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5880004].message }}

Trending Topics