Is the information in your business listings and citations consistent?
As more and more consumers search the Internet for products and services and the local businesses that provide them, the importance of having consistency in your business listings and citations has never been more crucial. Errors in your business listing – name, address, phone number and web address – on various online directories or web pages can lower your rankings in search results and make it difficult for customers to find you.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
A survey by Bright Local found that 92 percent of consumers used the Internet to find a local business in 2014. Search Engine Land cites a report by Google that “near me” searches have increased 34 times in the past five years. Since searches for local businesses by consumers are on the rise, it is imperative that you have consistency in your business listings and citations to ensure your business will be among the top ranking in search results.
Related Article: Which online business directories should your business be listed in?
Incorrect information Can Cost You
If you moved your business to a different location, changed the phone number or company name, make sure you update that information anywhere it is listed or mentioned online. Since many websites duplicate information from one another, inaccuracies can spread.
As an example, say you moved your business and failed to update the new address in all the places it’s listed online. If your business has an incorrect address listed on just one website or directory, it will be picked up by others. If Google can’t verify your address, it will not only pin your incorrect location, but could also mark your business as “permanently closed.”
Your business ranking depends on consistent, accurate information listed across the board. The more inconsistencies and incorrect information, the lower ranking your business will have in search results. Most people will not flip through page after page of search results.
So, if you’re not near the top, chances are your competitors will win out. Have us manage your business listings to ensure the correct information is consistent in all places.
Business Listings and Citations are Vital to Local SEO
Your website is the core of your online marketing campaign. It’s all about leading potential customers to your site through social media postings, links, listings and ads. According to Moz.com, both the quality and authority of “structured citations” or business listings are crucial to both organic Local SEO rankings and mobile search ranking factors.
Related Article: Creating Business Listings
A business citation is a mention of your business name, address and phone number or NAP, listed anywhere online with or without a link. One of the main requirements of SEO (search engine optimization) is consistency in business citations.
Your website’s SEO can be negatively affected if information in your citations or listings doesn’t match from place to place. Database aggregators factor consistency in your citations on blogs, different websites and such directories as Yelp, Bing and Google+ and the online Yellow Pages.
Consistency in your business listings and citations is key to a successful marketing campaign and ultimately, bringing customers to your door.