Local SEO: Directories And Reviews | DotGO Small Business Websites

1. List Your Business on Local Directories

Start by ensuring your business is listed on all relevant local directories, such as Google Business Profile, TripAdvisor, and industry-specific sites. This not only makes it easier for potential customers to find you but also signals to search engines that your business is legitimate and active.

Google Business Profile: Make sure your Google Business Profile is up to date with accurate information, including your business name, address, phone number, and website link. Add photos, opening hours, and any special offers to engage more users.
TripAdvisor: Depending on your industry, listing your business on popular review sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor can increase your exposure.
Industry Specific Directories: Websites like checkatrade, mytrustedexpert and Nextdoor are the 21st century equivalent of the phone book - they're ideal for local businesses to advertise on.
Local Authority: Most local councils will have a directory listings page to advertise local businesses - these are perfect for tradesmen, care agencies and other community focused businesses.
Classified Ads - Directory websites like freeads.co.uk and Gumtree are free to post on, and are designed for local search.

Pro Tip: Ensure all your business details are consistent across directories. Inconsistent information can confuse search engines and harm your rankings.

2. Ask for Customer Reviews

Reviews are crucial for both attracting new customers and improving your search engine rankings. Search engines like Google and Yelp favor businesses with positive, recent reviews, and potential customers trust these reviews when deciding whether to make a purchase.

Encourage Satisfied Customers to Leave Reviews: Politely ask happy customers to leave you a review on your Google Business Profile. You can send them an email or include a link to your review page in a follow-up message.
Respond to All Reviews: Whether reviews are positive or negative, responding shows you care about your customers. A thoughtful response to a negative review can even turn it into a positive experience.

Pro Tip: To make it easy for customers, provide a direct link to your review pages.

Why These Steps Work

By focusing on local directories and reviews, you're increasing the likelihood that your business will show up in local search results when potential customers are looking for your products or services. Listings on Google, Yelp, and other directories are highly trusted by search engines, and businesses with positive reviews tend to rank higher and attract more customers.

Need Help? DotGO is Here for You!

Setting up local directories and managing reviews can feel overwhelming, but DotGO is here to support you. Our team can help you optimize your Google Business Profile, guide you through setting up your local listings, and show you how to encourage and manage customer reviews effectively.