When, Why, and How to Get Listed on Yelp for Your Local Business

If you’re a small business owner looking to gain more visibility and attract local customers, you’ve probably heard of Yelp. With millions of active users searching for businesses, Yelp is an essential tool for local businesses, from restaurants to service providers. But what does it take to get your business listed on Yelp, and is it worth it? In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about getting listed on Yelp, including the steps, benefits, and how it can integrate with your overall online marketing strategy.


When to Get Listed on Yelp

So, when should you create a Yelp profile for your local business? The answer is simple: as soon as possible. Yelp has become a key player in local search and reviews, with millions of users relying on it to make decisions about where to shop, eat, and hire services.

Here are some specific scenarios when getting listed on Yelp makes the most sense:

  • Launching a new business: If you’re opening a new restaurant, salon, or service-based business, Yelp is one of the first places people will look for reviews and recommendations.
  • Expanding your business: If you’ve recently opened a new location or expanded your service area, adding your business to Yelp ensures that potential customers can find you in the area you’re now serving.
  • Increasing local visibility: If you’ve been operating for some time but haven’t focused on local search or reviews, Yelp provides an excellent opportunity to boost visibility in your city or region.
  • Reputation management: Yelp is known for its powerful user-generated reviews. If you’ve received positive feedback from your customers, Yelp can help increase your credibility in the eyes of new customers.

Why Use Yelp for Local Business Listings?

Understanding why to get listed on Yelp is crucial to seeing its value. Yelp can benefit your business in many ways:

  1. Increase Local Visibility: Yelp is one of the top sites for consumers searching for local businesses. When someone types “restaurants near me,” “plumbers in [your city],” or “best hair salon,” Yelp will show your business if you’re listed and have a good reputation.
  2. Build Trust with Customer Reviews: Yelp is heavily review-driven, and reviews play a significant role in influencing consumer decisions. Many customers rely on Yelp’s star ratings and written reviews to determine whether or not they will choose your business. The more positive reviews you get, the more likely you are to gain new customers.
  3. Reach an Engaged Audience: Yelp’s user base is highly engaged. Customers on Yelp are not only looking for businesses, but they are also actively making purchasing decisions. Getting listed on Yelp puts you in front of customers who are already ready to buy, not just browse.
  4. Free and Paid Advertising Options: Yelp offers both free listings and paid advertising options. The free listing can help your business show up in search results, while the paid options—such as Yelp Ads—can give you even more visibility through featured spots in search results.
  5. Mobile Integration: With Yelp’s mobile app, users can quickly search for businesses while on the go. As a business owner, having a well-maintained Yelp profile allows you to connect with potential customers wherever they are.

How to Get Listed on Yelp: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand the why, let’s walk through the how to get your business listed on Yelp. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting your local business on Yelp.

Step 1: Claim Your Business on Yelp

If your business is already listed on Yelp (which is likely if you’ve been around for a while), you can simply claim your business. Follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Yelp for Business page.
  2. Search for your business in the Yelp search bar to see if it’s already listed.
  3. If your business appears, click on it, then select “Claim your business”.
  4. Follow the instructions to complete the process, which may include verifying your business via email or phone.

Step 2: Create a New Business Profile

If your business isn’t yet listed on Yelp, follow these steps to create a new listing:

  1. Visit the Yelp for Business page and click “Add Your Business”.
  2. Fill out the necessary information, including:
    • Business name
    • Address
    • Phone number
    • Business hours
    • Website URL (if applicable)
    • Business category (e.g., restaurant, auto repair, hair salon)
  3. Once you’ve completed the details, submit your business for review by Yelp.

Step 3: Verify Your Business

Yelp uses a verification process to ensure businesses listed are legitimate. This may involve:

  • Phone verification: Yelp will call your business phone number and provide a code to verify that the listing belongs to you.
  • Email verification: In some cases, Yelp will send a verification code to the email address you provide.

Step 4: Complete Your Profile

Once your business is listed and verified, you’ll want to fully optimize your Yelp profile. Here’s what you should include:

  • Business description: Write a compelling and accurate description of your business, including your services and what sets you apart.
  • Photos: Upload high-quality photos of your business, products, or services. Businesses with photos get more engagement than those without.
  • Hours of operation: Make sure your business hours are clearly listed, so customers know when you’re open.
  • Menu or services: If applicable, provide a menu (for restaurants) or a list of services you offer (for salons, cleaners, etc.).
  • Contact information: Ensure your business phone number, website, and social media links are correct and easily accessible.

Step 5: Encourage Customer Reviews

Yelp is all about customer feedback, and the more reviews you get, the better your profile will perform. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews by:

  • Asking them in person after a service or purchase.
  • Offering incentives like discounts or promotions (but note that Yelp has strict guidelines regarding soliciting reviews).
  • Including a Yelp link on your website and social media pages.

Step 6: Monitor and Respond to Reviews

Once your Yelp profile is up and running, it’s important to engage with customers:

  • Respond to reviews: Thank customers for positive reviews and address any concerns in negative ones. This shows prospective customers that you care about feedback.
  • Track analytics: Yelp provides free tools to track how customers are interacting with your business profile. Monitor these metrics to adjust your strategy.

Pros and Cons of Being Listed on Yelp

Pros:

  1. Increased Local Visibility: Yelp is a trusted platform for local searches. Getting listed helps your business appear in front of people who are actively looking for your services.
  2. Free Listing: Unlike many paid advertising platforms, Yelp offers a free business listing with plenty of opportunities to grow your presence.
  3. Engaged Audience: Yelp users are typically in the decision-making process, which means you’re reaching people who are ready to make a purchase or book a service.
  4. Customer Feedback: Yelp’s reviews help build trust and credibility with potential customers, and positive reviews can lead to increased business.
  5. Easy to Use: Yelp’s interface is user-friendly, and setting up your business profile is quick and straightforward.

Cons:

  1. Negative Reviews: Yelp allows customers to leave reviews, and sometimes those reviews can be negative. While you can respond to them, Yelp doesn’t let you remove reviews unless they violate Yelp’s guidelines.
  2. Paid Features: Yelp’s paid ads can be costly, especially for competitive industries. While the free listing is useful, businesses often find that paid features provide more visibility.
  3. Fake Reviews: While Yelp has a filter to identify suspicious reviews, some business owners claim that fake or unfair reviews can sometimes be left without consequence.
  4. Limited Customization: Your Yelp profile, although informative, has fewer customization options compared to your own website.

How Yelp Integrates with Other Platforms

While Yelp is a major player in local search, it’s not the only platform businesses should focus on. Google Local Services, Bing Places for Business, and Apple Maps are other important platforms for local business visibility.

  • Google Local Services: Allows businesses to appear in local Google search results and Google Maps. It integrates with Google Reviews, which also plays a role in Yelp’s reputation system.
  • Bing Places for Business: Similar to Google’s services, this is Microsoft’s version of Yelp and is used for appearing in Bing search results and maps.
  • Apple Maps: Apple’s mapping tool also integrates with Yelp for reviews and business details.

By being listed on multiple platforms, you expand your reach and ensure that customers find your business no matter which search engine or map tool they use.

Summary and Call to Action

Getting listed on Yelp is one of the most effective ways for local businesses to increase visibility, gain customer reviews, and attract new clients. Whether you’re starting a new business or looking to improve your online presence, Yelp offers a free and powerful platform to showcase your business and interact with potential customers.

Sign up for Yelp today and start attracting more local customers. Don’t let your competitors outshine you—take control of your business’s online reputation and get listed now!