Local citations, also known as Listings are the thumbprint of a business over the internet. It’s the backbone of any good local SEO strategy, and cannot be ignored!
On the most basic level, local listings refer to primary information about a business, including its Name, Address and Phone (NAP data). Today, however, online business listings can now include enhanced content, like directions, hours of operation, reviews, photos, videos, menus, incentives, and more. Local listings appear everywhere from company websites and business directories to review sites and social media pages.
Google, Facebook, Bing, Birdeye, Apple Maps, Yelp, Foursquare, eLocal, Show Me Local, City Squares, N49, OpenDi.us, Yellow Bot, Judy's Book, Chamber of Commerce, iBegin, Cherry Hill VIP, DexKnows, EBusiness Pages, EZLocal, Enroll Business, Factual, GalacticVibe, Infobel, Insider Pages, Jersey Shore VIP, JoomLocal, Local Mint, Local469, LocalizedListings, LocalItunity, Lyft, MerchantsNearby, Moorestown VIP, MyLocalServices, PassPages, Speedy Local, Superpages, Swarm, Tupalo, Uber, Waze, Yellow Pages, Your Town VIP, Zoom Local Search, iGlobal,
Local listing and business listing are related terms in the context of online marketing and directory services, but they have distinct meanings
Local Listing:
Definition: A local listing refers to an online listing or profile of a business or service that is specifically associated with a particular geographical location. It provides essential information about a business’s physical presence in a specific area.
Focus: The primary focus of a local listing is to help potential customers find and contact a business’s physical location, such as a store, office, or restaurant.
Information about: Local listings typically include details like the business’s name, address, phone number (NAP), hours of operation, website link, and directions to the physical location.
Business Listing:
Definition: A business listing is a broader term encompassing all online profiles and directories where a business can create a presence. It includes local listings and other online platforms where businesses can provide information about their products, services, and operations.
Focus: Business listings can be local, regional, or global, and they aim to present a comprehensive overview of a business’s offerings and attributes.
Information about: In addition to local details, a business listing may include a wide range of information, such as a description of the business, customer reviews, photos, links to social media profiles, and more. Business listings are relevant for various businesses, both local and online.
Local business listing management is essential in helping your business be found online! When a customer is looking for a new business, Google is often their first stop. Having multiple listings that are consistent across different sites helps Google know that your business information is trustworthy. If your business cannot be discovered through a simple Google search, chances are you are not being discovered at all.
1. Increased visibility on SERPs
When searching online, listings on popular platforms like Google My Business and Facebook make it easier for potential customers to discover local businesses.
Example: A traveler searching for "orthopedics near me" on Google will see all that is listed in the search results, helping them quickly choose the most nearby and helpful option.
2. Accurate information to customers
Consistent and up-to-date business information, including name, address, phone number, and hours of operation, helps customers trust that the business is legitimate and open.
Example: If customers see different addresses for the same store on various platforms, they may become skeptical and choose a competitor with consistent information.
3. Favorable customer reviews
Listings often include customer reviews and ratings, allowing potential customers to gauge the quality of a business’s products or services before making a decision.
Example: A person looking for a new hair salon can read reviews on Google Business Profile to find one with positive feedback and skilled stylists.
4. Better accessibility
Mobile users frequently rely on location-based searches, meaning accurate listings enable businesses to appear in these searches, increasing foot traffic.
Example: A smartphone user searching for "pharmacies near me" will find nearby pharmacies listed, making it convenient for them to visit one.
5. Better online reputation management
Efficient online reputation management is when businesses respond to reviews, both positive and negative, to engage with customers and demonstrate their commitment to customer satisfaction.
Example: A hotel that promptly addresses a negative review about a room issue can show potential guests that they take guest feedback seriously and aim to resolve problems.
6. Get ranked higher on Google
Local business listings contribute to a business’s search engine optimization (SEO) efforts, helping it rank higher in local search results.
Example: A boutique clothing store optimizing its Google Business Profile can appear higher in local search results, attracting more local shoppers.
7. Map and navigation integration
Listings are often integrated with mapping and navigation apps, making it easy for customers to get directions to the business.
Example: A traveler using Apple Maps can tap on a listed restaurant to get directions, simplifying finding the location.
Ranking on Google is becoming increasingly difficult. In the past ten years, we’ve seen a huge shift from customers searching on desktop to searching on mobile. This smaller screen size displays fewer results per page than a traditional search on a computer would. On desktop, customers usually see ten results on the first page, but on mobile, customers usually don’t get past the first three. With the increasing prominence of mobile searches, earning that top spot is more important than ever!
For businesses to have an edge in this new search environment, they need to ensure they’re doing everything they can to be found by customers. The more consistent your listings, the better your chance of customers discovering you on mobile, desktop, and voice search (think smart speakers, phones, and cars equipped with Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, Microsoft’s Cortana, or Google’s AI assistant).
Local business listings are a reliable source of information for your customers. They serve as an online business directory, helping consumers find the business that will fit their needs. However, local business listings have other benefits as well.
1. Increased credibility
2. Better local targeting and advertising
3. Cost-effective marketing and geo-tagging
4. Outperforming competitors
5. Active social proof
6. Local partnerships
Let’s explore these in detail below:
Increased credibility
When your business is listed across the web, it is easier for your customers to find your information. This guarantees a great customer experience from the get-go.
Better local targeting and advertising
Attracting nearby customers actively seeking local services with keywords like “near me,” “near to me,” and getting featured in Google’s Local Pack.
Cost-effective marketing and geo-tagging
This helps businesses reach specific geographical locations whenever customers search for them.
Outperforming competitors
Gain a competitive advantage over competitors with incomplete or outdated listings.
Active social proof
Goes without saying that the higher and greater your reviews, the better your chances of being chosen!
Local partnerships
If your business is already a customer favorite, you can also attract collaboration opportunities to strengthen ties with local businesses and organizations.
TMS keeps your business information consistent across 50+ sites and directories and constantly scans for missing or inaccurate listings and fixes them so you’re found easily by search engines. This also makes sure that you do not lose potential customers because of outdated or inaccurate contact information about your business!