Improving your business listing visibility is one of the best things you can do to get in front of new customers. As a new business owner, getting discovered can feel like a challenge. The BLACQList is your platform to showcase what makes your business unique, but only if your profile is complete, clear, and optimized.
Let’s explore a few practical steps, including examples, to help your profile perform like a pro and attract the right customers.
What to Do
Upload a clear logo or professional photo
For example, a catering business might show a photo of the team in action or a clean logo on a dark background.
Write a detailed “About” section
Say who you are, who you serve, and why it matters. You could also say: “I’m Maya, owner of CleanPlate Catering in Atlanta, specializing in healthy comfort food for busy professionals.”
Include relevant keywords naturally
When adding keywords, use phrases like “Atlanta vegan lunch delivery” or “organic skincare Atlanta.” These words help people find you more easily.
Ensure contact info and links are current
Include your email, phone, website, and social links. Test them yourself before publishing, because broken links cost credibility!
What to Avoid
Skipping professional visuals
Avoid blurry snapshots or low quality smartphone camera images! Use a clean, well‑lit photo instead.
Writing generic one‑liners
“We do all types of hair.” That’s vague. Be specific, like “specializing in natural hair treatments and braid installations.”
Using industry jargon
Terms like “scalability” may sound sophisticated, but your audience wants clarity.
Leaving fields empty or incorrect
Double-check hours, contact info, and links before you publish.
Add Trust‑Building Images
Business listings with 2–3 strong visuals perform better with customers. Think workspace photos, team shots, or finished products. A hair stylist might include a salon interior and a styled client photo. A caterer could show plated dishes and event setups.
Images should be clear, well-lit, and at least 500×300 pixels to look sharp across devices. Avoid stock photos when possible. Authentic images of you and your work help potential customers build trust faster. A strong visual presence shows you’re invested, detail-oriented, and professional before a word is even read.
Leverage Local Signals & Reviews
Local Signals
Local signals are things search engines use to determine how relevant your business is to local searchers. These include:
- • A complete, consistent NAP
- • Verified location (like a Google Business profile)
- • Keywords that include your city or neighborhood (like “hair braider in Southwest Atlanta”)
- • Customer reviews that mention your location or specific services
- • Engagement with your listings (likes, shares, reviews)
Together, these tell search engines “This is a real business serving this real place and people trust it.”
Click here to learn more about local search signals and how they influence visibility for small businesses.
NAP
NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number. These are your business’s core contact details, and they should appear exactly the same everywhere your business is listed online—from your BLACQList profile to your Google Business page, Instagram bio, website footer, and anywhere else your business is mentioned.
When these details are consistent, search engines like Google trust your business more, which helps you show up higher in local search results. Take a look at the example of a clean NAP below.
CleanPlate Catering
123 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 555‑1234
Make sure this format appears exactly the same across every platform where you’re listed.
Customer Reviews
Ask satisfied clients to leave reviews on the BLACQList profile. Reviews increase your business listing visibility by helping you appear in search results when people look for trusted local providers. Even one glowing testimonial (“The best vegan tacos in Midtown!”) can enhance trust and click-through rates.
Respond to each review
A simple “Thank you for the nice review!” reinforces engagement. If someone leaves constructive criticism, reply professionally. Letting them know you care about their experience improves your reputation.
Track & Optimize Over Time
Your BLACQList listing isn’t something you set once and forget—it’s a living part of your business. Just like you update your product line, service menu, or pricing, you should also review and improve your online business listing.
Here’s how to get started, even if you’ve never looked at analytics before:
Step 1: Open Your BLACQList Dashboard
Go to the My Account tab in the main menu, then click on your listing. You’ll find an interactive dashboard that shows:
- • Total and unique profile views
- • Clicks on buttons (like website, call, get directions)
- • What devices people are using
- • Top browsers and platforms
- • Which countries and regions your viewers are from
Use this data to understand how people find and interact with your listing. For example, if most visitors are on mobile, make sure your site is mobile-friendly too.
Step 2: Update with Intention
Each month, take 10 to 15 minutes to do the following.
- • Swap in a fresh photo (e.g. a new product, team pic, or event).
- • Add or update a keyword (like “Weekend Brunch Catering Atlanta”).
- • Test your links—make sure they still work.
For example, after adding the phrase “Brunch delivery Atlanta” to your description and photo captions, you might notice a 15% increase in visits by the end of the month.
Step 3: Compare & Adjust
Return to your dashboard and look at your changes. Are more people clicking? Are new referrers showing up? Small tweaks can lead to major growth over time.
If you want even deeper insights, you can also connect your website to Google Search Console or Google Analytics, but for many beginners, The BLACQList’s built-in tools are more than enough to get started.
Update Your Business Listing
Just a few intentional updates can increase you business listing’s visibility, make your brand stand out, and attract more of the right people. Be consistent. Be clear. Be proactive.
Start today and build the habit of checking in monthly!
Quick Tips Summary
- • Use quality visuals: Clear, bright photos show your professionalism.
- • Write a keyword-rich description: Explain who you are and who you serve.
- • Keep your contact info consistent: Match it across Google, Instagram, and The BLACQList.
- • Ask for and display reviews: They build trust and increase visibility.
- • Use your dashboard: Let data guide your updates and see what’s working.
