If not for any COVID-19 lockdowns or concerns you may have, would you network with current and potential clients exclusively from your home office?
Allow me to explain why I ask. Recently, I began putting small business clients on a listing management tool called Yext. Essentially, this tool displays businesses on well-known listing sites like Yelp, as well as lesser-known sites like American Towns.
When small business owners ask me why they should use a listing tool, I ask them the aforementioned question.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, you likely did most or all of your networking via video conferencing from home. But when lockdowns aren’t in place, and the threat of COVID-19 doesn’t have you worried about being around others, would you use your home office as your exclusive networking space? If you want to serve local customers, I’m guessing you wouldn’t.
But that’s what a lot of people are doing when they try to generate leads online, metaphorically speaking.
In this metaphor, a small business’s website is their home office. And instead of going to other networking events/venues (other sites), they want people to come to them.
If you are only listed on one place online (your website), you could be missing out on growing your audience online. Just having a site without using a listing tool is like asking people to come to your home office to network with you instead of going where people actually gather.
Small business owners who operate in this way aren’t likely generating many leads online.
If this sounds like you, how can you fix it?
Use a listing tool.
If you’re listed on the sites your audience visits, you’ll be easier to find. And once they find your site, you may have the chance to wow them.
Just like when networking “in real life.”
As a bonus, being listed everywhere your audience visits will help Google know you’re a local business, so it’s great for search engine optimization (SEO). In other words, a listing tool helps your business rank higher on search results pages.
If you’re interested in using a listing management tool for your small business, let’s set up a time to talk. I’d love to answer any questions you may have.
