When a customer searches for your business, you want them to find the right information on the first try.
But with so many places to list your business online, it's easy for your information to be scattered, incorrect, or out of date. This creates a confusing experience for customers and will result in your business being punished in rankings by search engines.
This is why managing your listings is so important. By centralizing your information, you create a single source of truth for your business across the web. This not only helps you improve your chances of ranking higher than the competition but also builds trust with potential customers by providing consistent information.
This process is a one-time effort that pays off for years to come, making your business more visible and professional online.
To get started, click on Listings Management in the left-hand navigation, and then click on Get Started.
The window to create your listing profile will appear, showing a list of the sites where your business will be listed and your Enhanced Profiles, which are more valuable listings that show your business in even greater detail to a larger audience. Click on Continue to get started.
To see the full list of publishers available with your free trial, click on See more Free Trial publishers. Or, to see the list of publishers available with the full version of Thryv Marketing Center, click on See Premium publishers, to see the full list including Facebook, TripAdvisor, Apple, Bing and more!
Jump to a Section of your Listing Profile
General Information
Business Name and Contact Information
Your business name, email, phone and website should appear automatically based on the information you originally gave to Thryv about your business. Double check that it appears correctly, as this information will display on your listing profile.
Select Your Business Categories
Your business categories are one of the most important ways you tell search engines and customers what you do. They directly influence when and where your business appears in search results. Choosing the right categories is crucial for both discoverability and relevance to make sure you appear in the right search at the right time.
First, select a Primary category. This is the most important choice, as it tells search engines how your business should be listed. It should be the one that best represents your main service and a major source of revenue.
Note: During your free trial, your Primary Category can't be changed after it's been published. Make sure you select the best possible option for your business.
Then, select Secondary categories. You can add up to nine additional categories. Use these to list other important services you offer. For example, if your primary service is "House Cleaning," your secondary categories might be "Office Cleaning" and "Carpet Cleaning." Your business will display in search results for these categories as well as the primary. Make sure that you are only adding relevant categories. Adding categories that do not apply can hurt your visibility and damage your reputation.
Note: The categories that display in this menu are defined by search engines like Google. If the category you are looking for does not appear, that means it is not offered by search engines. Thryv is not able to alter this list. In this instance, choose the category that is the closest fit to your business.
Use ThryvAI to Create An Optimized Business Description
Next, type a Business Description for your listings. A robust business description is crucial for making sure your business gets found and chosen by your leads. For a business description that will help you rank well and win customers:
Lead with your value: Put your most important information first. The character limit can vary by platform, and some will cut off.
Include keywords naturally: Mention your primary services and target location. For example, use phrases like "eco-friendly cleaning services in Denton" or "professional house cleaning." Make sure you're still using natural language, but including your services will help your ranking.
Highlight your unique selling points: What makes you different? Is it your experience, your green products, or your 24/7 service?
Need help coming up with the perfect description? Click on Suggest Content and ThryvAI will come up with a description for your business. You can repeat this as many times as you like until you get a description that's perfect for you.
Show or Hide Your Business Address
To get your business on the map and start getting found, enter your address here. Your full physical address is required for your business to be verified and listed on most sites, but you control how it is displayed.
Use the radio buttons to decide whether to show your full address, your city and state only, or to hide your address altogether. Click Save to ensure your business is listed on the sites that matter most.
Note: Some listing providers require an address for a business to be listed. Hiding your address could render you ineligible to be listed on those sites. What you are able to do if you wish to hide your business address is add a service area to your listing profile. This is ideal if you typically travel to your customers instead of them coming to your business.
Set Your Business Hours to Let Customers Know When You Are Open
Your business hours are one of the most important trust signals a customer can see. By setting accurate hours, you build confidence with potential leads, ensure you never miss a call, and tell search engines when to show your business to local customers.
Use the drop-downs to select your open and closed hours. If your hours are the same each day, save time by clicking Apply to All to set them for every day you are open. Use the Split button if your business closes temporarily during the day, for lunch breaks or other reasons.
Add More Details To Help Your Listings Stand Out
Add Photos to Your Listings
To rank higher and get noticed, your business needs a profile that stands out. Adding high quality photos gives your profile a major advantage. It signals to search engines that your business is active and professional, which can boost your visibility. More importantly, photos give customers a clear look at your work and help you stand out from the competition, making you the obvious choice.
To add a photo, click on + Add on a blank tile. Your device's file explorer will open, and you can select a photo to publish.
Display Your Accepted Payment Types
Listing your accepted payment methods gives customers the confidence to move forward. Knowing they can pay with their preferred method, whether it's a specific card or a digital service like PayPal, can make it easier for them to book your services.
To display your accepted payment types, check the boxes for all that apply. Click on Save when you're finished. Click on See More to display the full list of payment types.
Define a Service Area For Your Business
If you travel to your customers, rather than them coming to your business, this information is critical. If you selected to hide your address in the Business Address section, then it is required to be listed on most sites, including Google. Enter a city and state and click on + Add to add that city to your service area. If your address is hidden and a service area is defined, then your business will be listed on the map with a shaded outline rather than a pin. This also dictates in which areas your business will appear in searches. Make sure that you only include areas where you actually do business, so that you don't waste time on irrelevant leads.
Add Your Social Media Links
Social media is where your brand lives. By linking your profiles, you give customers a way to connect with you, see your work, and become part of your community. This helps build a stronger brand and keeps your customers engaged.
Review and Publish
You'll have a chance to review all of the information submitted before your listings are published. To review a section, click on Edit, and the information will display in this window. You are able to make changes without losing progress. Once you've confirmed everything is correct and paints the best picture of your business, click on Confirm and Publish.
Once you publish your listings, you are on your way to improving your online presence and building confidence with your leads and customers. There is more information you can add to your profile to make it stand out even more. Once you've gotten more of Thryv Marketing Center set up, return to the Listings Management tab to add even more detailed information like Yelp Attributes.
FAQ
How long does it take for my listings to publish?
Each listing platform makes updates according to its own schedule. While some sites update within a few hours, others can take up to a week. Thryv continuously sends updates to all listing sites, but can not change their update schedules.
I'm already listed on some of these sites. What happens to that information?
The information published by Thryv will supersede any other information currently on your listings. This allows you to manage your online presence from one centralized location, rather than managing each listing separately, saving you time.
What if my business category is not on the list?
The categories in your profile are determined by the search engines themselves. If you cannot find the category you are looking for, select the one that is the closest match to your business. This ensures you still appear in relevant searches.
Do I have to fill out every section?
We highly recommend you fill out every section to receive the maximum benefit from your listings. A complete profile is more likely to rank higher and gives customers all the information they need to choose you over a competitor. Every detail you add is a step toward making your business more visible. Only leave a field blank if it is truly not relevant to your business
What happens if I hide my address?
If you have a physical storefront where customers visit you, hiding your address can make your business ineligible for listings on some sites.
However, if your business travels to customers and does not have a public storefront (like a cleaning service or plumber), you can and should hide your address. In this case, you will define a service area instead, which is a shaded area on the map showing where your business operates. This helps you get found by the right local customers without compromising your privacy.
Can I manage multiple business locations?
No, Thryv is a solution for a single business location.
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