Active Sync is here, and it’s about to flip the script on how you manage local listings. If you’ve ever felt trapped in the slow, clunky world of traditional API solutions, or frustrated by the limitations of manual submission services, buckle up. We’re thrilled to introduce you to Active Sync—a game-changing hybrid listings management solution that’s designed for the way you actually work.
Let’s break it down.
The Shifting Landscape of Local Listings
Remember the good old days when local search was a wild west of hundreds of directory sites? Yeah, that’s over. Today, just a few big players—Google, Bing, Apple, and Facebook—dominate the space, accounting for a whopping 92% of online engagement with local businesses. These platforms are where your customers hang out, and where you need to make sure your business shines.
So, the local listings landscape has split into two layers: the Engagement Layer and the Authority Layer.
The Engagement Layer
This is where the magic happens. Google, Bing, Apple, and Facebook aren’t just search engines or social platforms—they’re your primary digital storefronts. This is where customers discover, evaluate, and engage with your brand. It’s also where things can go wrong if your listings aren’t up to date. That’s why it’s crucial to keep these listings locked, loaded, and protected from external edits.
The Authority Layer
Then there’s the Authority Layer—those hundreds of listing sites that still hang around, like Manta, Hotfrog, and Superpages. These might not be the go-to for customer engagement, but they’re still vital for building authority and trust with search engines. Think of them as the silent partners in your SEO strategy.
The Problem with Traditional API Solutions
Here’s the thing: traditional API solutions promised us the world. Manage your data everywhere from one dashboard, they said. But the reality? Not so much. These solutions often come with high fees, lock you into their ecosystems, and force you to “rent” your listings. If you ever decide to leave, your listings could revert to outdated information. Ouch.
We’ve seen businesses get stuck in this cycle, paying through the nose for a service that doesn’t deliver the ROI they need. It’s like being trapped in a really expensive Groundhog Day.
Enter Active Sync: The Hybrid Solution You’ve Been Waiting For
We knew the local listings game had changed, and the technology needed to catch up. That’s why we built Active Sync—an API solution that focuses purely on the sites that matter most to your consumers.
Here’s what sets Active Sync apart:
Speed and Control: Active Sync works in tandem with Citation Builder, our manual submission service, giving you the best of both worlds. It’s fast, it’s flexible, and it’s a fraction of the cost of traditional API solutions.
Cost-Effective: Let’s talk numbers. If you’re managing listings for a 10-location business, traditional solutions like Yext or Moz could cost you between $2,000 and $5,000 per year. With BrightLocal, you’re looking at just $1,800 in the first year and as little as $800 each year after that. Over five years, that’s up to 75% in savings.
Customizable: You’re in control. Whether you need to update a single listing or roll out changes across hundreds of locations, Active Sync makes it easy.
How It Works
Managing your business listings shouldn’t feel like herding cats. With Active Sync, it doesn’t. Here’s how it all comes together:
Engagement Layer: Active Sync keeps your listings on Google, Bing, Apple, and Facebook updated and protected from rogue edits. If someone tries to mess with your hours or phone number, you’ll know about it—and you can fix it before it becomes a problem.
Authority Layer: Citation Builder takes care of the rest, ensuring your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) info is consistent across all those other sites. No duplicates, no confusion.
Need to update your holiday hours across 50 locations? Easy. Just make the change in Location Manager, push it out with Active Sync, and you’re done. It’s that simple.
The Bottom Line
Active Sync is available as an add-on to any of our subscription plans, costing just $8 per location per month on a monthly plan, or $80 per location per year on an annual plan (two months free!). Managing over 50 locations? We’ve got custom plans for you, too.
Think about it—63% of consumers will ditch a business if they find incorrect information online. For just 25 cents a day, you can ensure your listings are always accurate, up-to-date, and protected.
The local listings landscape has evolved, and finally, the way to manage them has evolved too. Welcome to the future with Active Sync.
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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