Local Listing Directories will continue to increase in importance as the easiest way to locate a new restaurant, mechanic, retailer, or service provider. We would like to know which directories our readers and Twitter followers are currently using. (Select as many as you use.)
If you would like to share any directories we did not list in the poll or share any other thoughts we encourage you to leave comments. Feel free to include related links.
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Gail Gardner
Small Business Marketing Strategist at GrowMap
Gail Gardner is the founder of GrowMap.com. She is a Small Business Marketing Strategist who mentors small businesses, bloggers, and freelancers.
After 23 years in the field with IBM and 5.5 years managing AdWords accounts, her focus shifted to small business marketing strategy. GrowMap.com is listed by Cision as a Top 100 Site for Marketers and has received three Small Business Influencer Awards from Small Business Trends.
Named by D&B a Top 50 SMB Influencer on Twitter, you can follow Gail @GrowMap and on LinkedIn.
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i am using online network for SEO!
Local search is definitely a big source for business for us. Good post thank you for sharing.
Google Maps is by far tops. Their market share will only increase in the local space when their free Android GPS service starts to take off. For most phone users, Google Maps/Local is synonymous with the phonebook.
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@Stever I honestly did not think people would be trying to find local businesses in normal search. Apparently they are though. I’ll know next time.
Regular search is not nearly as fast or useful for locating businesses – especially if they only have a corporate presence and you want to find the local office.
I see that you provide Local SEO services so perhaps your clients don’t have that problem. Other SEOs have mentioned that they want to see which listings show up in the organic results too.
Most business Web sites do not do a very good job of targeting the locations where they offer products and services. I don’t know how many businesses know it but there is definitely a strong need for them to make sure they optimize for organic search by locatino AND show up in local search directory listings.
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You should have included the normal search versions of Google and Yahoo in there. I prefer to do the search in Google, plain Google. I look at the maps results in the 10pack, but I still prefer to see what shows up in the organic results.
If I’m in a completely different room of the house, close to the book and not the computer, I highly doubt I would ever find that easier. 😉
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@Blogaboutnothin Thank you for taking the time to share. Knowing which sites are most popular is important because it helps me to recommend that businesses focus on what works best first.
@Dennis You’ll come around when you see how much faster and easier it is to look businesses up online.
@Sterling Okura I bet you’ve noticed that what shows up in Google’s regular search engine is NOT what shows up on top in AdWords or Google Local aka Google Maps
Thank you for reminding me that Yelp and Citysearch should have been included in the survey. That you took the time to share them in the comments raises them in importance.
I personally use Yahoo Local because they were first and tend to have the best reviews. I love US Counties and wish they were far better known.
@arie Thank you for sharing. Their name is familiar to many and my local phone book nows says yellowbook on it.
@Matt I obviously need to do more research on Yelp.
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+1 for YELP as my primary source for local business information in San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California.
I will use yellow pages online, its the first name which come in my mind , The online yellowbook always work for me. thanks that my comment.
Yes, I agree local listings are easier. I search google first because I’m a web developer and curious as to what bubbles up to the top and who is paying for AdWords.
Yelp & Citysearch are definitely local listings, that why I said I use them if I end up at a local listing. They weren’t included as poll options so I clicked other and mentioned them in comments as instructed.
I know TripAdvisor is for travelers, but would you consider it a local listing?
Also, curious as to what your personal favorite local search is? What did you pick on your poll?
Cheers!
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I agreed with the traveling thing, but depending on which room I’m in at home when I realize I need a number, flipping through the book may be easier.
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@Dennis If you have access to a computer when traveling http://local.Yahoo.com is faster than flipping through a phone book, provides maps and directions and a link to their Web site plus reviews so you can find the best selection.
I use it to find B&Bs, restaurants, auto parts, mechanics – you name it. I sort by most reviewed and pick the most recommended.
@Ann I found a really great mechanic using Yahoo! Local. If anyone is ever in the Dallas metro area I highly recommend Simon’s Auto Repair.
@Miami Web Design You mean online or the physical book?
@Sterling Local listings are far easier than using regular search to locate a specific business or type of business. Yelp and Citysearch ARE local listing directories.
InternetStrategist’s last blog post..Promote Your Business Without Cash
Interesting poll.
To be honest, I google keyphrase & location first before using a local directory.
If ending up at a local listing, I prefer Yelp or Citysearch where you can read ratings and reviews.
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I fix my own car since mechanics are all crooks! Otherwise I look through the good old yellow pages book.
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When traveling sure, but in or around my town I guess it would depend on which room i was in at the time. If a book is closer it doesn’t take a lot of time to just flip through it….especially in a hurry.
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@Dennis That doesn’t disappoint me – I would be thrilled if more people would offer and solicit personal recommendations! I am rather surprised that you favor printed phone books.
The fastest way to find a phone number, address, or business by name or type is an online directory. I favor Yahoo! Local because just about any business I would search for is in there.
I highly recommend checking it out. The last time I traveled I searched for bed and breakfasts in Chicago, read the reviews, and got a great deal on a private room with bath for less than staying in a hotel.
When my friend’s truck broke down I used it to find a mobile mechanic based on the reviews. He is sharp, inexpensive and offers a better warranty than any mechanic or auto parts house I’ve ever found – and I once worked for automobile dealerships.
The only reason I keep a printed phone book around is in case of a power outage!
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Sorry to disappoint but I ALWAYS go for personal recommendations first and will more often then not, get it that way. Otherwise I suppose I flip through the phone book.
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Well… How do you know that there is something else that is better, if you haven’t tried anything BUT THE OLD?
I like sources that give some sort of editorial feedback (like customer reviews) along with the directory listing. So, for restaurants, I’ll use Zagats. For mechanics (and lots of other things) Yelp is fantastic.
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