A local citation is any online mention of your business’ name, address, or phone number (NAP), which are usually posted as directory listings.
By cultivating local directories and ensuring the accuracy of your NAP across all mentions, you can positively impact your local search engine rankings.
Having listings and citations on business directory websites with strong domain authority can also help you improve your brand image, authority and trust.
This, in turn, can have a powerful impact on prospective customers looking for proof that you operate a legitimate business.
Most importantly, taking care of your business’ local directories will help you:
1) Improve search engine rankings
Local directories help Google (and other search engines) verify the existence and legitimacy of your business. They’re also one of the most important ranking factors Google uses when determining how to rank pages for local search queries.
Image source: Moz
Additionally, most business directories allow you to include a dofollow link to your website within the listing, helping you gain valuable backlinks and improve your search engine rankings in the process.
Note that getting just a couple of directory listings or citations most likely won’t be enough to get your website to the top of search engine results.
In fact, it’s been shown that local businesses that have websites ranking in top 10 positions in Google’s search results have an average of 81 business citations pointing to their website.
2) Generate reviews
The importance of customer reviews for the success of a business can’t be overstated. As much as 70% of consumers search for online reviews before making a purchase, while 90% claim that reviews have had an influence on their buying decisions.
Image source: Marketing Land
Additionally, it’s been shown that consumers are willing to spend more with businesses that have excellent reviews.
Not only do consumers read reviews, they also read business’ responses to reviews, making it crucial for businesses to keep an eye on the reviews they’re getting from their customers and respond to them accordingly.
Getting listed in directories can help you generate more reviews because a number of directories let users post reviews of businesses. This is a great opportunity for your business to generate positive reviews, as well as learn about what you might be doing wrong by reading any negative reviews you get.
3) Drive more sales
Modern consumers often start searching for a product or service they need online. They may go to review sites or popular directories that they trust. If your business isn’t there, then they might never find out it even exists.
Having a large number of listings across different directory websites makes it easier for customers to find your business online, as well as learn more about the products and services you offer.
This, in turn, allows you to reach more customers online and generate more sales.
Get more local directory listings for your business
Local directories and citations are very important for businesses that target a local audience.
Getting listed in relevant local directories can help to improve your brand image, allow you to generate more customer reviews, aid you in improving your search engine rankings, as well as drive more sales for your business. Need help with rankings or getting more directory listings or making them accurate? American Creative’s local and regional SEO programs include quick listings in over 70 online directories. Ask us for details!
