One of my favorite local search weapons, Universal Business Listing, has recently expanded its services for business owners and agencies who market local enterprises online.

Standard Program

For those of you who are unfamiliar with UBL, it is an affordable service that can help you to distribute and standardize your core business data across the internet. In their own words:

“The Universal Business Listing core service is one that allows you to enter your critical business information one time and have it posted to all the major Online Yellow Pages, Search Engines, industry directories and 411 directory assistance. UBL goes to over 250 premium publishers as verified listings, and includes delivery and reports from the underlying databases that the search engines use, such as infoUSA and Acxiom. There are Agency, Affiliate and Channel Partner programs with bulk upload and API capability.”

While it is certainly not a magic bullet – none of the data distribution services are – at a price of $30 a year, it is one of those rare bargains that delivers very high value for the price. IMO, no matter what else you are doing to market businesses online, you should have Universal Business Listing in your toolbox.

Agency Program

Now, UBL has an agency program, too, that makes it easier for marketers to manage distribution and updates for multiple businesses. They offer special discount pricing, as well as promotional materials you can white label for your own agency.

“UBL has a self-hosted API that enables data to be entered into an online form and exported in our Template. Agencies can upload the bulk file into our account management system, send the files via FTP or simply email them to us for processing. UBL will provide reports back on the submissions having taken place, plus reports on any rejections or conflicts. This provides a clear path to correcting problem listings at an early stage”

Agencies can also take part in a beta program for a new tool called Local Search Analysis here.

I am an affiliate of Universal Business Listing. I am also involved with GetListed.org through its Local University events and GetListed.org  is partnered with UBL. But I don’t want anyone to think I recommend it just so I can make a buck.  While it isn’t perfect, it is such a cost effective service that I highly recommend it!