When you have a business, and you want people to find it, you have only two options: You can either pay for advertising or work on your SEO. While both methods are effective in generating leads, they’re very different in how they work.
In this article, we’ll talk about local citation, one of the best ways to boost your SEO. So let’s look at what it is and how it can help your business.
What is Local Citation?
A local citation is a listing in a directory that shows your contact information, address, and phone number. These directories are generally their own search engines, which means they show up on Google when someone searches for “restaurants near me” or something similar.
Why Do I Need Local Citations?
Local citations are listings in search results for businesses in specific geographic areas. They’re usually listed as citations or a website address with some identifying tagline or description.
Local citations are one of the essential parts of your SEO strategy. They can help you get discovered by local customers and drive more leads in your business. If you want to increase your SEO results, then it’s important to build up a strong brand presence online, including local citations.
There are a few different types of local citations. You can get them through the following:
Local Directories. These are websites that list businesses, like Yelp and Superpages. They’re easy to get into and require a simple submission form.
Niche Directories. These are specific to certain types of businesses, like restaurants or plumbers, and often have more stringent requirements for entry.
Industry-Specific Publications. If your business is in an industry that has its own trade publication or association, then you should be listed there as well.
Blog Posts/ Articles. This is a great way to get your business listed on local directories and niche websites. You can also get in touch with the editors of relevant publications and let them know about your company.
Social Media Platforms. If you have a social media presence, then you can use that to your advantage by making sure that all your listings are up-to-date. You can promote your business on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, as well as Google+ if it’s available in your area.
Website Submissions. If you have a website (and you should), then make sure that it’s registered with local search engines like Google My Business.
How to Manage Your Local Citation?
Managing your local citation is easy. All you have to do is keep your listings up-to-date with accurate information. If you move or change your business name, make sure that it’s reflected in all the places you’re listed online. You should also ensure that the website address and contact number are correct so people can easily find you.
The Benefits of Having Local Citation
A local citation is not just a matter of ranking higher in local searches on Google or Bing. It can also be used as a tool for branding and marketing your business, making it easier to reach out to your clients in their own backyard. Here are some of the benefits of having local citations:
- You get more traffic from local searches
- Your site appears more trustworthy
- You can track your progress better
- You can get found by new customers
- You can improve your SEO
- You can increase customer loyalty
- You can measure the ROI of your campaigns
Conclusion
A local citation is a great way to boost your SEO, but it shouldn’t be the only thing you do. It is just one part of an overall SEO strategy that will help you get found by more people in your area.
Revamp your website and blog for local SEO services by signing up for Local SEO Pro. You will get access to all the tools and resources you need to optimize your website for local search. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!
