What is Local SEO Citation

What is Local SEO Citation 

A local SEO citation is an online mention of the name, address, and phone number for a local business. Citations help local businesses rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), making them easier for customers to find. 

Citations can be found on directories, websites, apps, and social media platforms. They are created when a business's NAP (name, address, phone number) information is listed on these platforms. Creating citations for your local business is a key part of local SEO. 

Local SEO citations help Google understand where your business is located and what services you offer. When customers search for businesses like yours, these citations can help you appear in the search results. 

Creating citations can be time-consuming, but it's worth the effort. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating local SEO citations for your business.

Find Relevant Local Business Directories 

The first step in creating local SEO citations is finding relevant directories to list your business on. There are a few different ways to find these directories: 

- Use a Google search. For example, if you own a restaurant in Los Angeles, you could search "Los Angeles restaurant directories." This will bring up a list of relevant directories that you can then claim or add your business to. 

- Use a directory submission tool like Moz Local or Whitespark. These tools will generate lists of relevant directories for your business based on your location and type of business. 

- Ask customers where they found your business. If you have customers who found you without using a directory (e.g., through word-of-mouth), ask them how they searched for your business and what keywords they used. This will give you an idea of which directories are being used by potential customers and are worth claiming or adding your business to. 

Once you've compiled a list of relevant directories, it's time to start creating your citations!

Claim or Add Your Business Listing 

For each directory on your list, you'll need to either claim or add your business listing. If you find that your business is already listed on a directory but you don't have control over the listing (i.e., you can't edit the NAP information), then you'll need to claim the listing by following the directory's instructions. This usually involves verifying that you're the owner of the business through phone or email. 

If your business isn't already listed on the directory, then you'll need to add it by creating a new listing following the directory's instructions. This usually involves providing the NAP information for your business as well as some other details such as hours of operation, type of business, etc. Make sure that all of the NAP information included in your listings is consistent with what's on your website and other online listings (more on this later).  

 Optimize Your Listings 

Once you've claimed or added each listing, take some time to optimize them for maximum effect. Here are some tips: 

- Include photos and videos whenever possible; these can make your listings more eye-catching and engaging  - Use keyword-rich descriptions to describe your products or services; this will help potential customers understand what you offer and possibly draw them in  - Fill out all fields completely; this shows potential customers that you're serious about your business and helps build trust  

 Monitor Your Listings 

After taking all these steps to create local SEO citations for your business, it's important to monitor them regularly to ensure that they remain accurate and up-to-date. As time goes on, things like NAP information may change (e.g., you may get a new phone number), so it's important to keep an eye on these changes and update your listings accordingly. Additionally, new directories may pop up that are relevant to your business; when this happens, be sure to add your listing to these new directories as well! 

Conclusion: 

Creating local SEO citations for your business may seem like a lot of work, but it's worth the effort! These citations can help potential customers find your businesses more easily online, which can lead to increased traffic and sales for your company. Plus, once you've claimed or added each listing, it only takes a little bit of time each month to monitor them and ensure that they remain accurate—so don't delay, start creating those citations today!