Membership is Good for Business and Search Engine Optimization
Have you considered joining a chamber of commerce? Membership in a local chamber offers numerous benefits. The basic purpose of a chamber of commerce is to create a vibrant business environment in its area and/or for its target population. Each organization is different, but you can expect that each will offer programs, events, and growth opportunities for its members while serving as an advocate for business interests in the region. Here are a few of the reasons you should consider joining:
Networking: Joining a chamber of commerce is a great way to learn about others who are doing business in your area. The more other business owners know about the goods or services you offer, the more likely you will discover creative ways to collaborate. Interact with chamber members, potential members, and others at open events, and you are paving the way for opportunity.
Referrals: As you meet other members of a chamber and get acquainted with their businesses, when they hear of someone who needs a service that you provide, they are likely to pass it on to you. As such referrals are returned, it’s good for business all around.
Social Opportunities: It doesn’t always have to be about selling. Many chambers offer low-key social events for members and friends. Just getting to know new people in your community can be as helpful as it is enjoyable. Social connections and visibility matter a lot and can lead to business down the line.
Staying Up-To-Date: One of the functions of a chamber of commerce is maintaining an awareness of issues affecting the various businesses in the area. Your membership will ensure you stay aware, which will help you make good business decisions.
Public Perception: Businesses that belong to chambers of commerce tend to command greater trust than those that don’t. Banding together in a respected organization multiplies respectability and positive reputations for everyone.
Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia
Chambers of Commerce
Fees and Trust Flow
Updated May 2023 by Samuel Loebig
Click the heading to sort the list by each column!
*Trust and citation flow is based on Majestic.com’s historic index.
**Annual fee is based on the lowest cost business membership category on the date of the list was updated.
Did You Know? Joining a Chamber of Commerce is Also Great for SEO!
Another great perk is that chamber of commerce membership gives you a business directory backlink to your website that has excellent SEO value. Chambers of commerce are strongly trusted on the internet and can lend that credibility to your site as well. Moz and Majestic measure this through Trust Flow and Citation Flow. According to majestic.com, “Trust Flow is one of the Majestic Flow Metrics, which is weighted by the number of clicks from a seed set of trusted sites to a given URL, or Domain.” Citation Flow, in comparison, “is weighted by the number of citations to a given URL, or Domain.” Essentially, the higher the Trust Flow and Citation Flow, provided that both are relatively in balance, the more reputable the website.
Gaining backlinks from high-quality sites helps to increase these positive metrics on your own site and increase your website’s visibility in Google searches.
Here is a useful list of regional chambers along with their Trust and Citation Flow metrics and annual fees. Even if you weren’t planning on taking advantage of all the other benefits, the positive impact on your SEO might be well worth the price.
Consider joining a chamber near you and enjoy the benefits to business and online visibility.
Loebig Ink, LLC is a proud member of the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce.
References:
Demitropoulos, B. (May 4, 2012). Why Join Your Local Chamber of Commerce. The TJB American Business Magazine, Retrieved from http://www.americanbusinessmag.com/2012/05/why-join-your-local-chamber-of-commerce/
Larson, D. (May 5, 2015). “6 reasons why businesses should join a local chamber of commerce,” Daily Herald, Retrieved from https://www.heraldextra.com/news/community/business/chambers/reasons-why-businesses-should-join-a-local-chamber-of-commerce/article_a97e3f6f-72ea-530c-a6ad-37835f5b96c5.html