Boost Your Local SEO With Citations

If your business has any kind of presence online, chances are that mentions of your enterprise can also be found on websites apart from your homepage. These mentions are known as local citations and can considerably impact where your business shows up on Google’s search result pages. By harnessing the power of local SEO citations, you can drive more traffic to your site and increase your authority and visibility on the internet and in the real world.

Before boosting your on-page SEO using local search citations, it's important to understand what they are and how they can work for you (or against you). Local citations (also known as NAP) are a foundational factor when it comes to targeted search engine optimization through Google. Here, we'll walk you through the ins and outs of local citations and how to get them working in your favor!

So exactly what are local search citations, anyway?

In essence, local search citations mention your business's information on a website besides your own. This could be your business's physical address, phone number, name, or even a mention of services you provide in a specific area.

Usually, these citations will be listed on local business directories or popular pages like Facebook, Google Maps, Apple Maps, Angie's List, or even your local chamber of commerce. Google uses these citations to return the best search results to users for a specific localized inquiry.

How do local citations work?

Local SEO citations can work for or against your business and may have a significant impact on your website’s search engine optimization (SEO) over time. Google's page crawlers utilize algorithms to investigate your local citation/NAP sources.

Then, relevancy will be signaled to users based on this proof that your business is legitimate and localized. Ergo, citations are needed to confirm that your business is indeed located at the address associated with your Google My Business profile and operating to serve a specific function.

Understanding Why SEO Citations Matter

Your local SEO citations can be used to boost business in many ways. After all, Google's algorithm is always trying to deliver specific and targeted search results to every user. Using local SEO citation data, you can help Google send online searchers to your website instead of to the competition.

Your business citations can:

• Make your business seem more relevant

• Prove that your business is currently operating locally

• Confirm your actual business location or service area

• Boost your page rank with Google’s algorithms and page crawlers

Websites are given as search results based on how relevant and prominent they are in real time. Moreover, when the algorithm sees your citation details listed on multiple websites, it equates these listings with popularity and prominence. In turn, this can lead to an increase in local rankings and drive traffic to your site.

How to Optimize Your Local Search Citations

To make the most out of SEO citations and get them working in your favor rather than against you, you'll want to have the proper citations listed in appropriate places. Which citations are correct and where they should be listed can vary depending on where you live and what type of business you have. However, here are some things to do to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

• Make Sure Your Business Information is Up to Date

First and foremost, you'll want to ensure that your business information is correct and current. After all, if your address, phone numbers, services, or business location information doesn't match what’s on your website or correlate with other websites, it can be hard to achieve significant SEO results.

So, before you update or change your SEO citation information, make sure that you know which address, phone number, keywords, and local services you want to use. Consistency is key with this kind of local SEO.

• Provide as Much Information As Possible

Apart from having your basic NAP citation data listed, your citations can include other keywords and details about your business and its services. When possible, include as much information about your business as you can.

You can create structured citations where your information is grouped in one place or unstructured citations where your information can be found in many places on the same website. On some platforms, you can even add your operating hours, business description, email address, phone number, and logo to a citation.

• Select the Best Website Citation Locations

Next, you'll want to have your citations listed in the right places. There aren't any definitive must-haves when it comes to citation sources. This is because, in each location, the importance of citation websites may vary based on local traffic.

Some prominent citation locations may include Yellow Page websites, your nearest chamber of commerce, popular or reputable online directories, etc. Here's a list of some places to make sure to have the information of your business listed.

Top Local Citation Sites:

• Google My Business

• Yelp

• Apple Maps

• Google Maps

• Foursquare

• Facebook

• Angie’s List

To find out the most important citation locations for your business’s information, you may have to do a bit of digging. One way to do this is to perform a quick Google search of similar industries in your area. Then, simply note the top results that come up.

For instance, if your business is in the hospitality industry, you could Google hotel ads and note top-ranking sites and keywords that may work in your favor. Websites like E-Marketing Associates may also be helpful as you work on your local SEO.

• Begin Listing Your Citations

Once you've identified which relevant and authoritative local directories or websites to list your citations on, you'll want to start submitting your business information. It is important to note that citations can be manually or automatically listed on websites. Many authoritative websites automatically list information about your business based on your Google business profile.

Suppose you have a new business or simply want to boost your local citation opportunities. In that case, you can manually list your submissions or use an automated listings management tool. Working with a service that will list your NAP data can also be helpful.

• Be Consistent and Diligent

Stay consistent with your information, whether you are listing your business data with Apple Maps or submitting a blog post to a third party with local listings. Business listings are a way to boost your online presence, and structured citations with consistent data will help the algorithm funnel users in your direction.

The more structured citations with address and phone number NAP, the better. Since your phone number is a unique 10-digit numeral associated directly with your company, it can be a top NAP booster.

• Clear Up Any Inconsistencies

Remember that online incomplete, accurate, or duplicated NAP business data can become a red flag for Google's page crawlers. If you're worried that you have problems with the consistency of your local citation data, you might need to go through and clean up your information across any and all websites where citations appear. Even two or three inaccurate online mentions associated with your phone number NAP can quickly become an issue.

Final Thoughts on Local Citations Building for Your Business

In summary, local business citations can help search engines and users easily find and contact your business. The more accurate and consistent your citations are, the more they will work toward improving your SEO. Even structured citations in blog posts or on Facebook may help drive traffic to your website.

If you have been looking for a fantastic solution to build your business online through local citation and other proven SEO strategies, E-Marketing Associates can help. E-Marketing Associates is a top-rated digital marketing agency focused on helping your local business grow.

Whether you have been trying to boost sales, generate new leads, fix your existing online SEO, or thrive on social media, E-Marketing Associates has products and software that can help you compete with the big guys using small business funds. Let E-Marketing Associates help you review management platform options and improve your Google SERP rank today!