{"id":1545,"date":"2017-10-23T13:16:03","date_gmt":"2017-10-23T13:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tribelocal.com\/?p=1545"},"modified":"2017-11-14T20:13:06","modified_gmt":"2017-11-14T20:13:06","slug":"importance-local-seo-citations-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tribelocal.com\/importance-local-seo-citations-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Importance of Local SEO Citations for Your Business"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this day and age, when competition is tough, businesses have to do everything to stand out and enjoy an edge over their competitors. And, you will be surprised how something like <\/span><\/span>SEO<\/span><\/span> has so many facets to it. <\/span><\/span>Local SEO for small<\/span> b<\/span>usiness<\/span><\/span> has taken a new meaning ever since Google updated its local algorithm in 2015. The Pigeon update actually brought about a shift \u2013 one from completely local to organic factors. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A survey conducted a few months after Google changed its algorithm shows the importance of <\/span><\/span>local SEO for small business<\/span><\/span>. In fact, the results of that survey are valid even today.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Importance-of-Local-SEO-Ranking\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It cannot be emphasized how important <\/span><\/span>Google search engine optimization<\/span><\/span> is for local businesses. However, if businesses are not focusing on <\/span><\/span>local SEO citations<\/span><\/span>, they are missing out on a lot of traffic. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What are Local Citations?<\/h2>\n

Local citations refer to websites that offer visitors information related to local businesses. These cities let website visitors to filter the information based on state, city, name of the company and business type. In other words, sites are like business directories, modern-day Yellow Pages.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Local citations are integral to <\/span><\/span>SEO marketing<\/span><\/span> and search engine spiders use the information available on these websites to rank businesses for local searches performed by users. You can say these online directories offer valuable <\/span><\/span>SEO backlinks<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Importance of Local Citations<\/h2>\n

Search engine optimization tips<\/span><\/span> always mention that local citations are part of any successful <\/span><\/span>SEO strategy<\/span><\/span>. Even if these citations do not include a link to your business and only state the name and address, they are considered important by search engines. This is because invariably these sites are established and indexed websites. That is why it is imperative that you ensure your business details get listed in high-quality citation sites.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Did you know that Google trusts <\/span><\/span>local SEO citations<\/span><\/span> even if prospective customers do not go to these websites to glean information about a business they are interested in? And, this very premise makes citations an important aspect of <\/span><\/span>SEO<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Here is an example to show you the importance of citations:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Importance-of-Citations\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This example clearly shows that online directories like Yelp, Angie\u2019s List and Yellowpages make it to the top of search results. While people do visit trusted and popular directories to find local businesses, a majority of the searches is done through Google and Bing, and these citations rank high in local search results, making them important for local <\/span><\/span>SEO optimization<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> Hence, local businesses should ensure their business details are listed on these sites as a part of their <\/span><\/span>SEO<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> It will give their search engine results a major thrust.<\/p>\n

Things to Consider<\/h2>\n

If you are performing local search SEO for your business, it is important that the name of your business, address and contact numbers are consistent throughout all the citation sites. This is because any discrepancy in this information will confuse search engine spiders. As a result, search engines will not know which information to take for local search. Hence, your business will not appear when researchers perform a search related to your niche.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This means you need to get your <\/span><\/span>SEO<\/span><\/span> right for local search. As a part of your business <\/span><\/span>SEO optimization<\/span><\/span> strategy, you should do the following:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n