Local SEO97 percent of consumers search for local businesses online and 20 percent of all online searches are locally focused, according to Google.

As local businesses, we want our future customers to find us easily.  To maximize this potential of being discovered by users, here’s a list of some of the top sites to get listed. Having local listings on any of these sites will help establish your business, and make your company show up in search results sooner.

Updated, consistent business information in these local directories will help your search engine ranking since Google likes to list businesses with complete information higher than those with incomplete or inconsistent company information.

  • Google+ Local

    Start here to sign in or get on Google, then follow the instructions

  • Yahoo! Local

    You have a choice of 3 plans here. You can start with the free Basic plan and upgrade later, if you like.

  • Yelp

    Fill in the form and follow instructions. Warning: be prepared to get the hard-sell from Yelp to sign up for advertising on their site.

  • Citysearch

    Citysearch partners with InfoUSA for local business data. They offer an Express Update service that allows merchants to update their listing data as well as add new businesses. Once you’ve added your business please allow 1 – 2 months for the information to be on Citysearch.

  • YP.com

    Search for business here first. If your business is not listed, sign up here.

  • Local.com

    Fill in your information and follow instructions.