Small business owners looking to make a name for themselves in their local market have likely heard about the importance of listing management software . It’s an effective way of boosting visibility, by keeping listings consistent and up-to-date.
Why Is Listing Management So Important?
Your local business’s listing is like its digital calling card. It should include all of your location information – like address, phone number and hours of operation – as well as details about your products and services.
Your listing should also be comprehensive. This means it should appear on all major business directories, social media sites, review sites and search engines. An optimized listing lets potential customers find you where ever they are searching online, meaning more leads and more sales.
The Benefits of Listing Management Software
Listing management software automates the process of creating and maintaining listings across multiple sites. When you sign up with a service, you enter your business’s information just once, and then they take care of the rest. The software updates the data across all of those sites, automatically.
This automation allows you to save a lot of time and effort in managing your business profile. Beyond that, it’s a great way to prevent human error; typos and other mistakes can lead to customer confusion when trying to get in touch or shop your business. Automated platforms help avoid this by ensuring your information is correct and updated.
Additionally, some listing management software gives businesses data and reporting functionality to track progress and measure performance. This helps identify areas of opportunity, including where to there might need to be a strategic shift to increase visibility and sales.
Drawbacks of Listing Management Software
The biggest downside to using listing management software is the cost. While many services offer subscription plans, which are often cheaper than manual management, there will still be some upfront investments.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that this type of software pays for itself in saved time and reduced manual efforts. Additionally, if used correctly, it can easily increase leads and sales, even offsetting the cost of the software.
How To Choose Your Listing Management Platform
When shopping for listing management software there are a few key features that you should look for.
First, consider which listing sites the platform supports; you want to make sure that your business’s profile is listed on all relevant sites. At the same time, you don’t want to pay for sites that you don’t need. Most platforms do a good job of creating listings on the most popular sites, but double-check before you commit.
Also, think about how user-friendly the software is. If you’re not comfortable with technology, you’ll want something simple to use and set up. Many platforms have helpful tutorials and/or customer service representatives that can walk you through the onboarding process.
Finally, you’ll want to look at pricing and value-added features. Apart from the monthly subscription fee, what else does the platform give you? Are there additional tools to help with marketing and analytics? Are there any discounts available if you choose an annual plan? When comparing different services, weigh these factors to make sure you get the best bang for your buck.
Make Smart Choices For Your Local Business With Listing Management Software
Managing your local business’s listing can quickly become complicated, but luckily there are lots of listing management software options out there. Investing in one of these services can save you lots of time and effort while helping you boost visibility, leads and sales.
Do your research and figure out which platform is right for your needs. Keep in mind the features you need and what you can afford, and make sure to ask questions if you come across any issues during the selection process. With the right software, managing your listing and building a successful local business should be easy.