The Yellow Pages may be mostly a thing of the past, but online directories are a powerful resource for your practice. By listing your practice online, you can increase site traffic, and eventually even your client base. Making key information about your practice available online can only increase your exposure to new clients.

Help With SEO Strategy

When choosing online directories, make sure to include local directories like Yelp to increase local visibility on search engines. The most important components of an online directory are your name, address, phone number and website.  A study by comScore showed that the primary information sought in local search was the business address. The goal should be to make it as easy as possible for clients to contact you. Filling out your directory listing completely may feel time consuming, but it will be worth it in the end when it boosts your SEO and helps you show up quickly within online searches.

Just keep in mind that you also need to continually update your information on directories in order to reap the benefits. You may be surprised to hear that only about half of businesses have actually updated their listings, which is a definite SEO killer.

Network Potential

Since online users turn to directories to seek out goods and services, online directories can increase not only your site’s traffic, but also attract new customers. By maintaining and updating online directory listings, your information will be in front of countless customers who are looking for exactly what you provide. Additionally, your information is also available to other therapists on the online directories. This gives you a great networking opportunity to connect with other therapists to build professional associations that have many benefits, including referrals.

Each online directory you use will also increase the amount of backlinks to your site. Backlinks are precisely what they sound like: a link back to your site from an outside website. Legitimate backlinks let Google know that your website is relevant, which helps your site rank higher, increases your online visibility, and can possibly boost your client base.

Add Authority to Your Practice

While having a good practice website is important, it can be challenging for online users to tell the difference between professional and unlicensed therapists. Listing your practice on a reputable online directory, such as Psychology Today, adds authority and credibility to your practice.

Increase Referrals

By neglecting to put your website on popular and relevant online directories, you are doing a great disservice to your practice. Online directories are one of the best and easiest ways to get referrals! Just by submitting accurate, complete, and up-to-date information, you can take control of your practice, engage new clients, and expand your reach.
It’s important that you know which online directories are best ones for your website. While it might seem like a good idea to post to every directory possible, target a specific audience. By choosing quality directories, you can improve your online visibility and increase your site traffic significantly.