Are business directory listings good or bad?

The Google Link Guideline has recently been updated and it says that businesses should avoid low quality links. But this statement refers to link directories and not business directories. CYLEX is not a low quality directory and it doesn't link company websites directly. A business directory listing does not affect neither your ranking nor your online reputation.

Online marketing consultants suggest that “online citations” and reviews do nothing but help the online presence of a company.

You can find more information about this matter here: 

https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/66356?hl=en&ctx=NCUI

Here you can read about the low-quality directory or bookmark site links listed as unnatural links, but this does not refer to business directories as yell.com, 192.com, freeindex.co.uk or cylex-uk.co.uk

Check the list of the top UK business directories written by local search expert Phil Rozek:

http://www.localvisibilitysystem.com/2011/12/19/top-uk-local-business-directories-aka-citation-sources/

Customer Reviews: A Complex Path to Purchase [Infographic]

Do you have the habit of looking everything up on the internet? Well, we do! In today's world of data overload we can almost find everything in the world wide web. If you need a new dishwasher or have an eye on a fancy digital camera, you simply google it and start examining and comparing. Let's say you already have a brand/type in mind, so you rather opt for customer reviews instead of sticking solely to manufacturer descriptions.

Customer reviews are highly subjective and can help you make objective shopping decisions: reviewers might be our best advisers when it comes to purchasing a certain product or finding the most delicious pizza in the city. We are more likely to choose the service or product we have read reviews about, simply because we rely on real customer feedback. 

You can shape customer experience as well, by sharing your opinion with others, telling everything about the services you have used so far. If you like a company for its professional customer service or you are totally satisfied with the staff of your favorite beauty salon, spread the news! Show your appreciation with a review so that everyone knows about the best businesses in the city! 

Did you have bad experiences with a company? You should write about that too...as long as you remain polite of course. People are not looking for positive reviews and excellent ratings, but real experiences. Moreover, businesses have the opportunity to respond to negative reviews, build their trust and improve their services.

For more information check out the infographic below.