What is the Difference Between Free and Paid Business Listings?
For businesses to establish their visibility and credibility online, having a business listing on a popular directory is a vital step towards success. Whether you run a small, one-person shop up to a large corporation, getting your business listed in online directories makes it easier for potential customers to find you.
However, business owners face a choice when creating their listing. Do you choose a free listing or go with a paid listing? The answer might not be so obvious as there are several differences between free and paid listings. What follows is a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of both types of listings along with a guideline to help you choose the best one for your needs.
Free Business Listing
You can find free business listings in many popular online directories which include Yelp, Bing Places, Google Business Profile, and the Yellow Pages.
Such platforms allow you to create a basic profile that includes information such as the company name, phone number, physical address, website, and hours of operation. The advantages of free listings include the following.
- Provides Online Presence: A basic way for customers to find you
- Reviews: Many free listings allow customers to post reviews which enhance credibility
- SEO: You can improve the search engine rankings for your website
- No Cost: The main advantage is that the listing is free
However, there are some issues with free listings as well.
- Greater Competition: Your business listing may get overlooked
- Limited Features: There are fewer ways to enhance your business listing
- Sponsored Listing Dominance: The display ads for your competitors will have a more prominent place
Paid Business Listing
A paid business listing offers more features compared to free ones. An example of a paid business listing platform is Asknoypi. The advantages of such listings include the following.
- Greater Visibility: Paid listings appear above free ones in search results
- Few to No Ads: Some paid plans will remove competitors’ ads from your profile
- More Features: May include call-to-action buttons, images, video, and more
- Proper Analytics: Detailed insights into consumer interaction
Of course, there are some issues that you need to know about paid listings.
- Uncertain Return of Investment or ROI: You may not get the results you want
- Cost: The price may be out of your range
The drawbacks are mostly about the initial cost and uncertain result, which leads to the question of which one is right for you?
Which One to Choose?
If you are starting a new business and the budget it tight, then free business listing may be the best option at least at the beginning. However, if you want your business to stand out and have marketing features to enhance your visibility, then the paid option is normally preferred.
If you are looking for a comprehensive suite of services ranging from business listings to publishing press releases, event listings, and even job postings, Asknoypi is the place to call. Offering a go-to hub for business owners and professionals to increase exposure, connect with the right customer base, and separate from the competition, Asknoypi is here for you.