When it comes to marketing your business, some marketing tactics are more daunting to implement then others. For example, most people may feel comfortable putting together a flyer and organising a direct mail drop. Others may feel more comfortable writing an email pitching their new product launch and sending it to their local newspaper.

However, when it comes to SEO, most people ask, what is that? How does that work? Most of the time, the mindset is that it is something that only “technical” people can do and therefore it is left in the too hard basket.

The good news is SEO isn’t as hard as you might think. There are multiple tactics that are used in conjunction to achieve a better online search ranking. Just like any tactic in marketing, there are harder activities to implement, as well as easier ones.

The following is one of those easier tactics suggested by SEO Shark - Sydney SEO company. It is one SEO tactic you can start implementing today. No technical skill or specialised expertise required.

Get listed on free online business directories

You might be thinking that listing your business on an online business directory is a waste of time and that no one really goes to these sites. However, to increase your business visibility online, business directories are great way to boost this.

The more your business website is listed on external, yet, credible sites, the more search engines will recognise your business as a legitimate business and one that should be seen when people are searching for a business of your type. When people are searching under a particular keyword that relates to your business, directory listings will help your website be seen in the overall search ranking.

Also, when creating your business listing description, you need to use keywords that relate to your business. Keywords are search terms that people will typically use to find your website. Due to some directories having a high traffic volume, your business listing may appear when someone is searching under the keyword that relates to your business.

Which directories should I chose?

Firstly, make a list of some credible directories. When I say credible, I mean the directories should have real traffic value. This is sometimes referred to as an “Alexa ranking”. The lower the Alexa ranking the more credible the site.

Examples of some Australian directories you might want to consider are Yellow Pages, True Local, Hot Frog and Start Local. To find more credible business directories, conducting a simple online search for “top Alexa ranking business sites” is an ideal way to find more. Also, use commonsense. The more credible business directories are ones that you have normally heard of before.

What should I upload in my business listing?

Before you starting filling out business listings, ensure you have all your information, images and other materials together to make the process streamlined, fast and efficient.

The description is one of the most important parts of your business listing. As mentioned earlier, use keywords that relate to your business. Ask yourself, what would my customers or clients be typing into a search engine bar to find my business? Also, you can use tools such as Google Adwords’ Keyword Planner. This will give you suggestions for keywords relating to your product or service.

Although you will be uploading descriptions for each directory listing, they all need to be unique. Don’t copy and paste your description into each directory. It is OK to use similar information, but try and use different terms where possible so it isn’t a duplicate copy of another listing.

Another crucial element to include in your business listing is of course, your website. Having your website featured on a credible external site is part of the activity that helps with boosting your online visibility and search ranking.

The next step is to gather other materials that you can upload with your description to make your listing more attractive and reputable.

• Social media links – some popular ones to include could be: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn
• Your business email address and phone number
• Business logo
• Other business images if applicable
• Business opening and closing times

What do I do next?

Now that you have filled in your business listings, ensure you keep a list of all the directories you are featured in. You might find it handy to keep this information in an Excel spreadsheet.

To be really organised, create columns in spreadsheet for descriptions and keywords used in each directory, as well as a direct link to your listings. Also, it helps to place what email login and password you used for each one. This will help when you may need to review your listings in the future.

Also, many directory sites may ask you to confirm your email address or listing. They will normally send you an email with a link to verify your listing. Once verified, your listing may be live straight away or it might take 24 hours. Remember to check your inbox for any confirmation emails, including your spam or promotions folders.

Once you have your directory listings up and running, if possible, try and get customers and friends to review your business. Having a few testimonials or a five star rating will definitely help with boosting your profile.

There you have it - a quick and easy SEO tactic that you can implement today. All it takes is couple of hours. Start off by getting your descriptions together and gathering other links, images and social media accounts. As you upload your listings, keep an organised record of what and where you have posted and remember to check for any confirmation emails. Lastly, see if your clients, customers, family and friends would be willing to give you a positive review on your listings.