You’ve probably heard the term “local citation” before, but what exactly are they?
Citations are an important part of your local SEO strategy. They help customers find your business on the web, and they also help Google and other search engines learn more about your business.
We’ll show you some of the best methods for getting local citations. We’ll also provide a list of directories that are worth targeting.
What Are Local Citations
If you’re like most business owners, you’re probably wondering what local citations are, and more importantly, why you should care. Local citations are simply online references to your business’ name, address, and phone number. They help customers find your business listings on the web, and they also help Google and other search engines learn more about your business.
There are many different ways to get local citations, and we’ll show you some of the best methods. But first, let’s take a look at why they’re so important. One of the main reasons is that local citations help your business rank higher in search results. In addition, they help build trust and credibility with potential customers.
So how can you get started? The best way is to start by creating a free local business listing on Google Business Profile. This will give you a basic listing that includes your NAP information. You can then expand on this by adding additional citations from other reputable sources.
If you need help getting started, our team can provide a comprehensive citation-building service that will get your business listed in all the right places. Contact us today for more information.
Why are they important for local businesses?
There are many reasons why citations are important for businesses. For starters, they help your business rank higher in local search results. In addition, they help build trust and credibility with potential customers.
But the main reason why citations are so important is that they help your business get found online. Customers can find your business name, address, and phone number on a variety of different websites, which makes it easier for them to contact you or visit your business premises.
So if you’re looking to increase your visibility online and gain more customers, start by building citations for your business.
Benefits Of Local Business Citations
Some of the benefits of having local citations we have gathered for you:
Helps People Find Your Business: When your business is properly listed on online directories, it becomes easier for people to find information about your business. This is especially important if you have a brick-and-mortar location that customers visit.
Builds Trust and Credibility: In addition to making it easier for potential customers to find your business, local citations also help to build trust and credibility. This is because when customers see that your business is listed on multiple reputable directories, they will be more likely to trust your business and feel confident doing business with you.
Helps Your Local SEO Efforts: Local citations are also important for local SEO purposes. This is because search engines use these citations as a signal when determining which businesses to rank in local search results. Therefore, if you want your business to rank well in search results, you need to make sure you have a strong presence in local directories.
4. Gives You an Edge Over Your Competition: If your competitors are not taking advantage of local citations, then you can gain a competitive edge by doing so. This is because local citations will help you to stand out from the crowd and improve your chances of being found by potential customers.
5. Helps You Reach More Customers: By increasing your visibility on online directories, you’ll be able to reach more potential customers. This is because people who are searching for businesses like yours will be more likely to find your business if it’s listed on multiple directories.
6. Increases Your Online Presence: When you have a strong presence on online directories, you’ll also be increasing your online presence. This is because people will see your business when they search for businesses like yours on these directories. This can lead to more website traffic and potential customers for your business.
How do businesses get listed for citation?
There are a few ways businesses can get listed for citation. One way is to be included in local directories, like the Yellow Pages. Businesses can also get listed in online directories, or on review websites like Yelp. And finally, businesses can use Google My Business to list their company information and create a free business profile.
How can businesses make sure their citations are correct and up-to-date?
Businesses can use a variety of methods to make sure their citations are correct and up-to-date. One option is to use tools like Moz Local, Yext, or Whitespark. Another option is to manually search for and update your citations on popular directories like Yelp, Google My Business, and Facebook.
It’s important to keep your NAP information consistent across all directories. Inconsistent NAP information can confuse customers and search engines, and it can hurt your chances of ranking in search results.
If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend using a tool like Yext, Moz Local, or Whitespark to scan popular directories for any incorrect or missing citations. You can then update or submit your listing info on each directory’s website.
Local citations are just one part of local SEO, but they’re an important part. By making sure your business’s NAP information is accurate and up-to-date, you can help improve your chances of ranking high on search engines.
Avoid duplicate listings
Duplicate listings can hurt your business in a lot of ways. Not only can they lead to customer confusion, but they can also lead to lower rankings in search results and even penalties from Google.
To avoid duplicate listings, you should claim and verify your business listing on as many directories as possible, and make sure all the information about your business is accurate and up-to-date.
What are the best methods for getting local citations?
There is no one perfect method for getting local citations, as each business and city is different. However, some methods that have been shown to be successful include listing your business on local directories, and submitting press releases about your company to local news outlets.
You can also include your business on Google Business Profile and claim your Google Maps listing. Additionally, you can go the extra mile and create a custom website landing page for your business that includes all of your contact information and a map showing your location. And last but not least, don’t forget to promote your local business on social media!
What is the difference between local search citation and link building?
Local search citation is the process of identifying and claiming your business on various local directories. This helps your business to be found easily by people who are searching for businesses in their area.
Link building, on the other hand, is the process of getting links from other websites to point back to your website. This helps improve your website’s SEO ranking and drives more traffic to your site.
Top UK Citation Directories for Local SEO
Here are some of the business directories that we recommend for building citations for your business online that will help to improve your local rankings:
1. Google My Business
Google is the top search engine in the world, and it’s essential to claim and optimize your business listing on Google My Business. This will help customers find your business information when they search for it on Google, and it will also help Google learn more about your business.
2. Facebook
Facebook is another important online directory for local businesses. Make sure you create a Facebook Page for your business and include your NAP information on the Page.
3. Yelp
Yelp is a popular review site that can be valuable for local businesses. Make sure you have a Yelp profile for your business and encourage customers to leave reviews on Yelp.
4. FourSquare
FourSquare is another popular review site that can be valuable for local businesses. Make sure you have a FourSquare profile for your business and encourage customers to leave reviews on FourSquare.
5. TouchLocal
TouchLocal is a UK-based directory that can be valuable for local businesses. Make sure you create a listing on TouchLocal and include your NAP information.
6. Thomson Local
Thomson Local is another UK-based directory that can be valuable for local businesses. Make sure you create a listing on Thomson Local and include your name, address, and phone number (NAP) information.
These are just some of the local business directories that we recommend for building local SEO citations to improve local search rankings. There are many other business directories out there, and it’s important to get listed in as many relevant directories as possible. The more citations you have, the more likely it is that customers will find your business when they search for it online.
Businesses that offer citation services
Many businesses offer citation services, but some of the most popular ones include:
Moz Local – Moz Local helps businesses improve their online visibility and local search ranking by optimizing their local business listings on over 50 major directories and search engines.
Yext – Yext offers a suite of tools to help businesses manage their citations, including the ability to scan for new or missing citations, fix errors, and track progress over time.
BrightLocal – BrightLocal provides citation management services that help businesses ensure their listings are accurate and up-to-date on over 85 directories and search engines.
Whitespark – Whitespark offers several tools to help businesses with their local SEO efforts, including citation auditing and cleanup, submission, and monitoring of local business listings.
Recap
Local citations are an important part of local SEO, and by making sure your business’s NAP information is accurate and up-to-date, you can help improve your chances of ranking in search results.
There is no one perfect method for getting local citations, but some successful methods include listing your business on local directories, submitting press releases to local news outlets, claiming your listing on Google My Business, and creating a custom website landing page for your business. And last but not least, don’t forget to promote your local business on social media!
Helping Businesses Succeed
Joist Media is a full-service digital marketing agency that helps businesses of all sizes go from start to finish with their digital marketing goals. From website design and development to online advertising and social media management, we have the experience and expertise to help businesses succeed online.
One of the most important aspects of digital marketing is search engine optimization (SEO). Local SEO is the process of optimizing your online presence to attract more customers from local searches. And one of the best ways to optimize your local SEO is by building local citations.
Get in touch to learn more about how Joist Media can help you build local citations and improve your local SEO!
