Free Toronto Business Directory Guide for Small Businesses
May 28, 2014
By Maureen McCabe
Local search engine optimization (SEO) is a crucial component of many small business marketing strategies. It’s essential that your business be discoverable through local searches and mobile device searches. So, what can you, as a small business owner, do to help your business appear at the top of local search results?
One easy and FREE way to increase your appearance on search results pages is to submit your business to local directories. There are a number of Toronto business directory websites, both well-known and smaller sites, that can have an impact on your business’s appearance in search results and attract more customers to your business.
The Importance of Quality & Accuracy
It’s important that you use the same details across all directory sites you create a listing on. Use the same phone number, address and business name in each listing. You will be rewarded by the search engines, as this consistency adds authority to your local listings. If you already have a number of directory listings, ensure that all profiles are completely filled out and that your business information matches exactly how it appears on the contact page of your website.
Some business directories for Toronto allow you to add a short description of your business to your listing. While your business name, address and phone should be identical across all directory listings, you should create a unique description of your small business for each listing. In your write-up, remember to include your main keyword terms. For example, if I were to create a listing on a free business directory for McCabe Marketing, I would incorporate the keywords “small business marketing” and “Toronto marketing company.”
Remember — you should not spam your business listing across all of the free Toronto business directories that you find online. Listing your business on low-quality directories could actually harm you instead of helping you. Use an online tool like Open Site Explorer to determine a site’s authority and see how many other sites link to that site. This is a great indicator of its quality.
The Free Toronto Business Directory Guide
Below is a list of the top FREE business directories for promoting your small business in Toronto. Start by creating listings on the must-have sites, as these have the most authority and effect on your appearance in search results. Once you’ve created those listings, move on to the list of smaller, supporting directories.
Must-Have Listings
Other Toronto Business Directories
- Canpages.ca
- Weblocal.ca
- Ourbis.ca
- Theblurb.ca
- Businessmention.ca
- N49.ca (North of the 49th parallel. Plus a fantastic site for online reviews too!)
- Toronto.net
- Ylm.ca
- Apnatoronto.com
- Zipleaf.ca
- CTIDirectory.com
- Canadaone.com
- ibegin.com – for Ontario businesses and beyond!
Did We Miss a Good Online Directory Site for Small Businesses in Toronto?
If yes, then please write a comment below. Thanks! Check out Part 2, Canada Business Directories.
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