More Places Your Business Should Be Listed Online
By Dale West,
In our previous post, we discussed setting up Google Business Profile and Bing Places for Business. Those listings are important, but they are not the only places your business should appear online.
To improve local visibility and help more customers find you, it is a good idea to claim and update your business listings across several trusted platforms. Your website is the foundation, but your online presence should reach beyond your website.
Apple Business and Apple Maps
One of the most overlooked business listing platforms is Apple Maps. Many iPhone, iPad, Mac, Safari, and Siri users rely on Apple services when searching for local businesses. If your business is not listed correctly on Apple Maps, you may be missing potential customers.
Apple now manages business listing tools through Apple Business, which includes the features formerly known as Apple Business Connect. Through Apple Business, you can claim your location on Apple Maps and manage important details such as your business name, hours, logo, photos, website, phone number, categories, and other key information.
How to Get Listed on Apple Maps
- Create or use an Apple Account: You can use an existing Apple Account or create one for your business. If multiple people will help manage the listing, it is usually better to use a business-controlled account instead of a personal one.
- Claim your business location: Use Apple Business to find and claim your business location. If your business does not already appear, you may be able to add it.
- Verify your business: Apple will require verification before you can fully manage your listing. Verification methods may vary, so make sure your business name, address, phone number, and website are accurate and consistent.
- Complete your profile: Add your logo, cover photo, hours, website, phone number, business description, categories, and any available attributes that apply to your business.
Apple also allows businesses to add helpful details such as special hours, accepted payment-related attributes, amenities, and other "good to know" information. These details can help customers decide whether your business is the right fit before they call, visit, or click through to your website.
SuperPages
Another directory worth reviewing is SuperPages. It is a long-standing online business directory where customers can search for local service providers, contractors, medical offices, attorneys, restaurants, and other businesses.
You can manage a free listing on SuperPages, but be aware that some directory platforms may also offer paid upgrades or advertising. A free listing is often enough to make sure your business name, address, phone number, and website are accurate.
Yelp
Yelp is another important platform to review, especially for businesses that depend on customer reviews, local search, restaurants, home services, retail traffic, or appointment-based services.
Claiming your Yelp listing allows you to update your business information, add photos, respond to reviews, and make sure potential customers see accurate details about your company.
Maintain Consistency Across Listings
After claiming your major listings, take time to audit your online presence. Search for your business name on Google, Bing, Apple Maps, Yelp, SuperPages, and other directories that appear in search results.
Look closely at your business name, address, phone number, website, hours, services, and business description. These details should be consistent wherever your business appears online.
Why Listing Consistency Matters
Inconsistent or outdated information can confuse customers and reduce trust. If one listing shows the wrong phone number, another shows old hours, and another links to an outdated website, customers may move on to a competitor.
Consistent listings help reinforce that your business is active, legitimate, and easy to contact. They also support your broader local SEO efforts by giving search engines and directories clearer information about your business.
Your Website Is Only Part of Your Online Presence
Your website is the center of your digital marketing, but it should not be the only place customers can find you. By claiming and maintaining listings on Google, Bing, Apple Maps, Yelp, SuperPages, and other relevant directories, you create a stronger online footprint.
The goal is simple: make it easy for customers to find accurate information about your business wherever they search. The easier you are to find, the easier you are to choose.