Last week I wrote about which directory sites you need to be listed on—and to everyone’s surprise, the Better Business Bureau is among the most important. The BBB has experienced massive growth in traffic while most other directories have declined. That means it’s time to make sure your company is listed. The BBB works differently than other directories, though, because it’s not just a clearinghouse for consumer reviews. Thus, getting listed is a little more complicated—but the benefits of doing so are substantial. Besides just getting potential traffic from the Bureau, bear in mind that they are considered far more trustworthy because they objectively rate businesses. They’re also a respected website with high page authority, and a link from the BBB will only help your SEO. Here’s how to get listed.

Free, or Pay?

There’s a common myth that you have to pay to be listed on the BBB. That’s not exactly true—a paid account comes with serious benefits, but you can get listed for free if you prefer. Here are the differences:

• Free listing. A free listing essentially just means your business information appears on the BBB (if it didn’t already) and that your information is up to date. It also allows you to manage your listing and try to achieve the coveted A+ rating. However, you do not get a link from the BBB website and cannot use their badge.
• Paid accreditation. Getting your business accredited means you submit to an (easy) review process and the BBB certifies you meet their standards. You get the same benefits as a free listing, plus a valuable link to your website. You can also use the “Better Business Bureau Accredited” badge on your own site to establish credibility with your customers.

The cost for an accredited listing varies depending on your city and the number of employees you have. For a small business with 10 employees it’s typically around US $50/month. Note that you can’t apply for either type of listing if you’ve been in business less than 12 months. If that’s the case, put it on your to-do list for next year when you’ve “come of age.”

Getting Listed

Here’s how to get your listing or accreditation up and running:

1. Go to BBB.org and enter your zip code. This will take you to your local chapter. (The Atlanta Chapter is here.)
2. Now use your chapter’s search bar to search for your business name. You may already be listed, even if you don’t know it.
3. If you’re not listed, click on the “Ask BBB to develop a report on this business” link. You’ll be asked to fill out all the basic info on your business, and it will be listed within about a week. Once it’s live, go to the next step.
4. When you find your business listing (or once it’s added), it’s time to claim it. But first you need to create an account. From your business listing, click the “Is this your business?” link on the right-hand side. Then enter your email and choose, “No, I am new” to be taken to registration process.
5. Complete your registration, and from your account you can claim your business listing, request to have it reviewed, or apply for accreditation!

Doing this will not, on its own, give you a good rating. But completing the listing does contribute toward your rating and is one step toward an A+. It also means you have some control over what people see when they look you up on BBB. Do you need to improve your SEO and online presence? EverSpark Interactive can help. We have some of the most talented SEO analysts and internet marketing minds in the country. (We’re also BBB Accredited with an A+ rating, because we always deliver for our clients.) Find out what we can do for you by booking your free consultation today.