Are you trying out listing management software for your business? Before you hop on a demo, create a list of all the questions you need to ask to ensure the platform fits your needs. There can be a lot of technical aspects of the software that you might miss while evaluating the tools but can be a pain as you start using it. We’ve created this list of 50+ questions you can ask your software provider when deciding on which tool to go ahead with. 

General Platform Capabilities

When evaluating local listing software, I suggest you start with the basics. These questions will help you understand the core functionalities of the platform and whether it can handle the specific needs of your business, especially if you're managing multiple locations or clients.

What core features does your software offer for managing local listings?

This question helps you understand the basic functionality of the software and whether it covers all the essential aspects of local listing management you need.

How does your platform handle multi-location businesses?

If you have multiple locations, you need to ensure the software can efficiently manage and differentiate between them without causing confusion or errors.

Have you worked with businesses in my specific industry before?

Experience in your industry suggests the provider understands your unique challenges and may have tailored solutions or best practices to offer. You can also ask for specific case studies relevant to your business.

How often does your software update listing information across platforms?

Frequent updates ensure that your information remains current across all platforms, which is crucial for maintaining accuracy and customer trust.

‍

Integration and Compatibility

These questions will help you understand how well the platform integrates with your existing tools and popular online directories. This should be a key priority if you want to scale your online presence without much hassle.

Does the software integrate with my existing CRM or POS systems?

Integration with your existing systems can streamline workflows and ensure data consistency across your business operations.

Can it sync with Google My Business, Yelp, Facebook, and other major directories?

Compatibility with major platforms ensures your information is consistent across the most important customer touchpoints.

Can it help you list on vertical-specific directories?

There are many vertical-specific directories such as healthcare directories, financial services directories, and real estate directories where you might need to list your business. Make sure the provider assists you in this.

Is there API access for custom integrations?

API access allows you to build more advanced customization and integration with other tools you might be using or planning to use in the future. This is more suited to enterprise businesses.

What other third-party tools or platforms can your software connect with?

Understanding the full range of integrations can help you leverage existing tools and potentially discover new ones that could benefit your business. You can simply ask their team to send over their integrations library.

For example, you can see all of Synup’s integrations here.

Can I add custom fields to business directories?

Customizable fields allow you to highlight unique aspects of your business that may not fit into standard categories or may be unique to a partner directory.

Is the platform AI-enabled? What are some use cases for AI in your software?

AI capabilities can potentially automate complex tasks, provide deeper insights, and offer predictive analytics that can give you a competitive edge in managing your local presence.

How easy is it to import existing listing data into your system?

A smooth data import process can save you time and headaches when setting up the new system. Do you need to give them account access? How do they get data access to third-party listing platforms?

User Experience and Interface

Even the best software in the world is useless if it's too complicated to use. These questions will help you gauge how user-friendly the platform is and whether it can accommodate the needs of different team members.

How easy is it to navigate your platform?

An intuitive interface can significantly reduce the learning curve and increase adoption among your team members. I recommend you either take a demo of the software or do a free trial to see how intuitive and easy it is.

Do you offer a mobile app, or is the platform mobile-friendly?

Mobile access can be crucial for making quick updates or responding to reviews on-the-go. Check if your vendor has a mobile app or a web app that works on mobile.

Can I assign different user roles or permissions for my team members?

Role-based access control helps maintain data security and ensures team members only have access to the features they need. This becomes even more critical when you have multiple locations with different location managers who need different levels of access. Or if you are an agency working with multiple clients.

How steep is the learning curve for new users?

Understanding the learning curve helps you plan for training and onboarding, ensuring smooth adoption across your team. Ask them what their onboarding process looks like and what type of reference/training material they have available.

‍

Data Accuracy and Management

Maintaining accurate and consistent information across various platforms is one of the primary reasons for using local listing software. These questions will help you understand the provider's approach to data integrity and management.

How do you ensure the accuracy of listing data across all platforms?

Data accuracy is crucial for maintaining customer trust and ensuring your business information is reliable across all platforms.

Does the software automatically detect and correct inconsistencies in listings?

Automatic detection and correction of inconsistencies can save you time and reduce the risk of misinformation.

How often do you detect duplicate listings?

Many software providers take a longer time frame like 90 days to check for duplicate listings. Synup does it every 30 days. Ask this question to check how often your listings will be reviewed for duplicates.

Can I bulk upload and edit listing data?

Bulk editing capabilities can significantly reduce the time and effort required to manage multiple listings. Also, ask them to specify what attributes of a listing can you bulk edit.

What measures are in place to prevent unauthorized changes to listing data?

Security measures protect your listings from unauthorized alterations that could harm your business reputation – for example, editing suggestions on Google profiles. See if your software provider has measures in place to auto reject such requests.

‍

Automation Capabilities

Automation can save you countless hours and reduce the risk of human error. These questions will reveal how much of the heavy lifting the software can do for you, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.

Does your platform offer automatic updates for business information across directories?

Automatic updates ensure consistency across platforms and save you time from manual updates.

Can I schedule updates for my listings, such as holiday hours or promotions?

Scheduling capabilities allow you to plan ahead and ensure timely updates without constant manual intervention.

Are there automated alerts for duplicate listings or incorrect information?

Automated alerts help you quickly identify and resolve issues that could confuse customers or harm your online presence.

How does the system handle temporary changes, like COVID-19 restrictions?

The ability to quickly implement and revert temporary changes is crucial for maintaining accurate information during unusual circumstances.

Can the software automatically generate and distribute location-specific content?

Automated content generation can save time and ensure consistent messaging across different locations.

‍

Analytics and Reporting

Your local listings can give you a wealth of data into your presence online and what you need to work upon. These questions will help you understand the insights you can gain from the software and how they can inform your local marketing strategy.

What kind of analytics does the platform provide?

Comprehensive analytics help you understand the performance of your listings and make data-driven decisions.

Can I track the performance of my listings across various platforms?

Cross-platform tracking gives you a holistic view of your online presence and helps identify areas for improvement. Ask them what platforms can they track data for.

Does it show local SEO rankings and customer reviews?

SEO rankings and review tracking are crucial for understanding your visibility and reputation in local search results.

How customizable are the reports, and can I schedule automated report generation?

Customizable, automated reports save time and ensure you're regularly reviewing the metrics that matter most to your business.

Does the platform offer competitive analysis features?

Competitive analysis helps you understand how you stack up against local competitors and identify areas for improvement.

‍

Review Management

Many listing management software come with the option to manage reviews as it’s a key part of your listings. So ask these questions to find how efficiently you can manage reviews using their tool. It’ll also tell you if you need any further investment into reputation management apart from their software.

Can I manage customer reviews directly from the platform?

Centralized review management saves time and ensures a consistent approach to customer feedback across all platforms.

Does the software alert me to new reviews in real time?

Real-time alerts allow you to respond quickly to customer feedback, which can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Can I respond to reviews or escalate them to different team members?

The ability to respond or escalate reviews ensures that feedback is addressed by the most appropriate person in your organization.

Does the platform offer sentiment analysis for reviews?

Sentiment analysis helps you quickly understand overall customer satisfaction and identify trends in feedback.

Can it generate review request campaigns to increase the number of reviews?

Proactive review generation can boost your online reputation and provide valuable feedback for your business.

‍

Local SEO Optimization

This is more about how the software fits into your overall SEO strategy. Ask these questions to understand how the software can boost your visibility in local search results and keep you ahead of the competition.

How does your software improve my local SEO rankings?

Understanding the software's SEO capabilities helps you gauge its potential impact on your local search visibility.

Can the platform track keyword rankings and visibility?

Keyword tracking helps you understand how well your listings are performing for specific search terms relevant to your business. Some software, like Synup, also helps you track keyword rankings on a map grid at a neighborhood level.

Does it offer tools for managing Google Business Profile posts and Q&As?

Optimizing GMB posts and Q&As can improve engagement with potential customers and boost your local SEO.

Platform Customization

This becomes especially crucial if you are a software reseller or agency using the platform to cater to multiple clients. Having a custom-branded product that integrates into your existing services can be really helpful.

Can you white label the platform? What aspects can be customized with my brand?

White labeling allows you to maintain brand consistency, which is particularly important if you're an agency managing listings for clients or a large corporation wanting to maintain a unified brand presence across all tools.

Are there templates for listing information that I can tailor to specific locations?

Templates can save time when managing multiple locations while still allowing for location-specific customization.

Is it possible to set location-specific promotions or updates?

Location-specific updates allow you to tailor your messaging and offers to local audiences and events. Also ask what directories or sites support such updates.

How does the platform handle seasonal or temporary business changes?

Efficient handling of temporary changes ensures your listings remain accurate during special circumstances or seasonal fluctuations.

Can I create and manage location-specific landing pages through the software?

Location-specific landing pages can improve local SEO and provide a tailored experience for customers searching for specific locations.

‍

Customer Support and Training

Even the most user-friendly software can present challenges. Understanding the level of support you'll receive can make a significant difference in your experience with the platform and your ability to maximize its benefits.

What kind of customer support do you offer? (live chat, email, phone)

Understanding available support options helps you understand how quickly you can get help when issues arise.

Do you provide onboarding or training sessions for new users?

Proper onboarding and training can significantly reduce the learning curve and ensure you're making the most of the software's capabilities.

Is there a dedicated support person for my business?

A dedicated support or customer success manager can provide more personalized assistance and better understand your specific business needs.

How frequently do you update your knowledge base or help documentation?

Regular updates to support documentation indicate the provider's commitment to helping users and keeping pace with new features.

Do you offer consulting services for local SEO strategy?

Access to expert consulting can help you maximize the benefits of the software and improve your overall local SEO strategy.

‍

Next Steps

Remember, the best software for your business is one that not only meets your current requirements but can also scale and adapt as your business grows. It should have experience in your industry, offer customization options that align with your brand, and leverage cutting-edge technologies like AI to give you a competitive advantage.

Take the time to thoroughly evaluate your options, and don't hesitate to ask for demonstrations or trial periods before making your final decision. Pay special attention to providers who have experience in your specific industry, as they may offer valuable insights and tailored solutions.
‍