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7 Replies Last post: Mar 2, 2009 8:51 PM by lunawebs

Business.com Directory

Oct 31, 2007 2:01 AM

Click to view erinoir's profile Professional erinoir 17 posts since
Oct 24, 2007
Hello! I am looking to increase my client base and am wondering if any of you have listed your website on the business.com directory. If you have, have you seen an increase in website traffic? What about completed sales?

Thanks,
Erinoir
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Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 7,935 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
1. Re: Business.com Directory Oct 31, 2007 7:17 AM
That is a great question and I am sorry that I can not answer it. It would help if you told us your business.
You said that you to increase your client base.
I am sure that a good website will bring in more traffic, then it is up to your MARKETING to have completed sales.
Hope you get some good answers, Good luck LUCKIEST
Click to view seogodfather's profile Professional seogodfather 9 posts since
Oct 28, 2007
2. Re: Business.com Directory Oct 31, 2007 8:52 AM
As luckiest said, it is hard to say anything without knowing the line of business your in. I did see that your keyword were geared towards internet marketing and such and I just wanted to recommend good search engine optimization. Its really a huge benifit even if you do most of your business face to face, its always good if your client can find you on search engines.
Click to view NatOnline's profile Mogul NatOnline 670 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
3. Re: Business.com Directory Oct 31, 2007 8:55 AM
Hello Erinoir,

Business.com is one of top directory, but keep in mind the main purpose of directories are backlinks that give you trust for search engines reputation.

The traffic would be indirect and this is how it works: If you are listing your site on the top directories, or just some decent directories, It means you are serious about your business, search engine like Google will send more traffic if it will find your site relevant.

This is what Google said: "Submit your site to relevant directories such as the Open Directory Project and Yahoo!, as well as to other industry-specific expert sites" http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35769

Hope to help.
Click to view erinoir's profile Professional erinoir 17 posts since
Oct 24, 2007
4. Re: Business.com Directory Oct 31, 2007 11:54 AM
I cater to small businesses, helping them offer comprehensive or supplemental health benefit plans to their employees at a low monthly cost. I was thinking of listing my business in the Human Resources --> Health Benefits part of business.com

Thanks!
Click to view Biz Online's profile Mogul Biz Online 71 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
5. Re: Business.com Directory Nov 1, 2007 9:18 PM
Hi erinoir,
Great name, BTW!
I would suggest that before you commit to b.com that you invest in your own website first for optimization purposes.

As Nat mentioned, having links from other sites are good. However, if you are 1 of 20 links on a page, there is no "link juice" sent your way, as well as traffic is sent is minimal.

Your best bet on increasing your client base is focusing locally. If you are in a small town, then regionally (county/ multi-county). The most trusted future prospect is a referral. Invest your time in local marketing first, before going national with business.com and possibly being disappointed.
This approach works for me and many others. All clients get a face to face meeting, and then you also get to choose your customers...
Best of luck,
Cliff
Click to view NatOnline's profile Mogul NatOnline 670 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
6. Re: Business.com Directory Nov 3, 2007 10:55 AM
I forgot to tell you, try to list you site in Yahoo local, it's free and can bring you more clients to your sites.
Click to view lunawebs's profile Start-up lunawebs 1 posts since
Mar 2, 2009
7. Re: Business.com Directory - price increase Mar 2, 2009 8:51 PM
We used to purchase directory listings from business.com - but I just canceled after being a loyal customer for 4 years. We would purchase 2 directory listings from business.com for 2 separate key phrases. This used to help with SEO rank. Well this year they raised the price from $149 to $299 per listing without even notifying me of the price increase. I emailed customer service and they did nothing. They canceled my listings and basically blew us off.

I asked the question why they increased the directory listing price and they dodged the question and just canceled the service.

They are giving me a refund -but tried to only issue one until I showed them their error.

I don't believe either that the directory adds any value anymore because it has gotten so huge. There are too many listings to make it worth while. Even the so called prestigous featured listings are saturated. They are becoming just like the yellow pages of old - but cheaper to produce. I'd stay away from these guys - they seem to have some very deceptive business practices which surprises me as an R.H. Donnelley Company.