Top 10 LOCAL Business Directories

When it comes to LOCAL  online marketing, a good place to start are LOCAL directories.

Below is a list of the Top 10 Online Business Directories for Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas. For those of us old enough, these directories are the "new age" Yellow Pages, with an added feature.

Many a site, YELP, as an example, allow visitors to offer comments and opinions on products they have tried or services they have received. As you can image, a positive response is great, but a negative experience not so.


All comments need to be addressed. This is the power of social media.

It may seem a bit contradictory to say “local” as the list below will be very familiar to many a business owner, no matter where you live. But these directories are “keyword rich” with local addresses and telephone numbers.

This is one of the key elements in getting your business seen LOCALLY… LOCAL contact information. Think about it, it makes sense, your competition is less online, your address is familiar to the viewer and your contact number(s) are LOCAL. 

In this arena, small LOCAL businesses can  compete with nationwide and internationally based organization in your neighborhood.

So on with the show… I have noted free services and fee-based directories. All of these Top 10 online business directories in the Fort Lauderdale areas should be considered.

1. YELP

This social media/local directory website is an absolute must. Local exposure with customer feedback. The procedure is easy. Simply “claim your business” from the website by completing several questions, submit your business to the service and wait 24 hours for an email confirmation.  Free listings offered.

2. Facebook

Yes, Facebook is seen as a directory. The search power behind this social media site is incredible. How often have you “Googled” for a product or service and the first results are Facebook listings. It is easy to set up a business page and linking your Facebook page to your website is good for SEO(search engine optimization a.k.a getting your website seen locally)- sort of like killing two birds with one stone. Free product.

3.YouTube

4. Superpages

Local online advertising, including mobile marketing. It is easy to input your information onto this site. FREE service.

5. YahooLocalWorks

$29.99 per month. This service offers placement in 50 directories( so long as you continue payment, of course), a profile can be created to promote your business including photographs and access, so the service implies to over 150,000 million searches per month.
REMEMBER- Yahoo is the number three search engine, behind Google and Bing. You might invest your money and time more wisely by only starting a free Google + Brands page.

6. Yellow Pages

Remember that thick book that was delivered to your home. It appeared to many a Thanksgiving dinner as a sitting prop. Today this directory, known as YP.com  also offer a free listing. As of this posting, I am still unable to confirm the listing via an email that was sent.

7. Manta

Basic listing is free. This was quite time-consuming to complete. As a part of the process, it is necessary to telephone ( yes you read that correctly) to confirm your details. The company uses this time to promote their paid products. Including paid advertising from $29-49 per month. It was a soft sell pitch, not irritating at all and worth considering.

8. Home Advisor Pro

Fee paying service. This directory is  used by homeowners looking for assistance with home improvements. The service matches work required with local tradesmen. The business then “bids”*($)for work.The system tracks all leads.Other user controls include financial budgets areas and  types of services offered amongst others.

9. CitySearch

WOW, registering for this directory is a cumbersome process. Links take you several pages, it felt like a tour of the world wide web! The end result is a weekly fee-based service. Personally, I hate being dangled a free carrot only to be faced with a credit card application.

10. Angies List

There are three main categories in this directory service.
These include:

• Consumer Services
• Classic Car Services
• Health Related Services

It is well worth using this service. The initial set up is free however as with most of the other directories upgrades can be purchased.
Directories are time-consuming but must be included in any local online marketing effort.

Need help with your online marketing? I can help.