As the member services coordinator for Wired Sussex, I’m often asked how you can get the most out of a listing on our directory pages.
Many of our members regularly secure direct leads and business referrals as a result of their directory listing, as it is searched by thousands of people every month looking for web, design, marketing and other digital media services – it’s a proven way to generate more business for your company.
So by spending a little time tweaking you can enhance your listing to maximum effect. Here are five of my top tips to get you on the right track:
1. Keep it simple
Visitors scan the Wired Sussex directory looking for specific information and the contact details for businesses that meet their requirements. Make sure people know what you do by categorising your business under the most appropriate headings and by clearly explaining what services you offer and how you can be reached.
2. Humans vs robots
A listing on the directory of members will help improve your search ranking. Think SEO and include keywords within your directory listing as search engine-optimised content will make it easier to be located online. However, try to strike a balance with the first point as the heavily optimised content isn’t always the most engaging.
3. Fix up, look sharp
Adding a logo to your directory listing will help you stand out. The Wired Sussex directory supports icons of up to 200px X 200px. But you don’t need to use all this space - if your logo doesn’t work well as a square then a cleaner (maybe smaller) image will look much better than overdoing it with unnecessary whitespace. After all, first impressions count!
4. Testimonials & showcases
Don’t simply treat your listing as a collection of contact details. Recommendations and real-life case studies can help to demonstrate your business is not only professional but the right choice to prospective clients.
Display testimonials and showcase any projects you’ve completed with pictures and accompanying case studies.
5. Stay fresh
It’s important for you to update your listing on a regular basis, providing fresh and unique content. A great way of doing this is linking your directory to your other social media accounts. Are you active on Twitter or Facebook? Then let prospective clients know by embedding a stream to your profile.
Also, be sure to take advantage of our Member News Board so your news and achievements will be streamed on our RSS feed, linked to your directory profile and considered for inclusion in our monthly newsletter!
So, there you have it, five easy tips to improve your directory listing. Once you’re happy with your listing and you’ve checked all your links and contact details are up to date, you're good to go. If you are unsure about what to include, or if you need any help creating your listing, don’t hesitate to get in touch.