Every day, millions of people use search engines to find things: the latest news, fancy restaurants, hilarious cat videos, and exciting things to do. Let’s start with some facts and figures.
Today, many travelers are booking tours, activities, and rentals last-minute using search engines. Often when they’re already on location. On top of that, more than 48 percent of smartphone users in the US are comfortable researching, booking, and planning trips online, using nothing but a mobile device. Because of that, the customer journey starts long before people set foot in your store, which is why you should claim a local business listing right away.
Here’s an example most people can relate to. Say you’re visiting a new city, and you’re starving. As you enter the fitting terms to find a restaurant, the search engine ties that query to your geographical location. In other words, a local listing platform will show you the best results nearby. If you have a business (and a listing) chances are you will show up in the results at the exact time someone’s looking for you. Your timing couldn’t be better.
To reach more potential customers and expand your online presence, you can sign up for business directories. But instead of registering for every service out there, we suggest starting with the most popular platforms. You’ll find these outlined in this article.
1. Google My Business
Google has more than 90 percent of the search engine market share worldwide, receiving 63,000 searches every second. It’s by far the most dominant player among search engines. It isn’t surprising that “Google it” has become part of everyday vocabulary, proving once again the significance of this tech giant.
Regarding local searches, Google can be quite valuable for rental businesses, especially if you offer outdoor activities. With every search, Google narrows down the results with a boxed map that features three local listings. Because these listings appear above the organic search results, we recommend creating a Google My Business listing first. It’s the quickest way to expand your reach and attract a high volume of website visitors.
Once you create a Google My Business listing, you’ll get additional benefits, such as:
- Customers can leave Google reviews, which builds credibility and authority in your industry.
- Your rental business will show on Google Search and Google Maps when people search for your business or business like yours.
- Google may feature your rental business in the knowledge panel (the right-hand panel on the search results page) when someone enters relevant search terms.
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2. TripAdvisor
Every month, 490 million travelers use TripAdvisor to find the best restaurants, hotels, and activities, which makes it the world’s largest travel platform. If you thought TripAdvisor only serves those running accommodation and tour businesses, think again. Many rental shops are reaping the benefits of this popular platform by creating a listing and gathering reviews. The reason why? People are more inclined to trust fellow travelers over any marketing content you produce.
With a TripAdvisor listing, you can connect with your customers and be more discoverable for new ones. By signing up and filling your profile with quality photography and relevant info, you’ll create an online representation of the experiences you sell. Over time, your listing will start containing more spontaneous content, such as reviews and photos from happy customers. A profile with plenty of reviews and a personal feel will build credibility and help you stand out.
3. Yelp
Yelp is another local search service that’s characterized by online reviews and opinions. Many people use Yelp to verify whether businesses are trustworthy and to see what locals say about their service. We all want to make the most of our trips, don’t we? Even though Google and TripAdvisor have surpassed Yelp as a review platform, we do recommend creating a listing. With 139 million unique visitors per month, Yelp can still help you attract new business.
Our advice for setting up a profile is similar to TripAdvisor. For the best results, make sure to upload quality images, add relevant business information, and write compelling descriptions to pique people’s interest. Oh, and we almost forgot the most important part. Don’t forget to ask your customers to leave a review! You’ll notice the most visitors are happy to write about their experiences, help your business, and help others make better decisions.
Start with building your rental website
Every new rental business starts with a website to get their first bookings.
It’s worth the effort
As you complete these listings, you become familiar with the process of setting things up and using the various tools available. We recommend expanding your online presence and adding your rental business to more directories. Soon, potential customers will be able to find your business everywhere at the exact time they’re searching for your services.
