Local Citations Workbook by Dennis Yu - HTML preview

Table of Contents

What Are Local Citations? 2

Who Is This Guide For? 4

Why Does Your Business Need Local Citations? 5

Types of Local Citations 7

Step-by-Step Local Citations Checklist 7

Why GCT is Important for Local Citations 8

Our Recommended Websites for Creating Citations 10

1. Google Business Profile (formally known as Google My Business ) 11

2. Apple Maps 12

3. Yelp 13

4. Manta 14

5. Foursquare 15

6. Angi ( formerly known as Angi's list) 16

7. MerchantCircle 17

8. Hotfrog 18

9. Brownbook 19

10. Proven Expert 20

11. Yellow Pages 21

12. Bing Places for business 22

13. Super Pages 23

Steps to Create a Local Citation on Any Directory 24

Images and description character limits in citations 47

Real examples of local citations 47

Creating more citations: Things to check before creating citations on any

website 50

Process Checklist For Getting Started on Crunchbase 51

Citation QA Checklist for Business or Agency Owners 58

Ways to Find More Local Citations Websites 61

Common mistakes to avoid 64

1

What Are Local Citations?

Local citations are online mentions of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on various websites, directories, and platforms. These citations play a crucial role in helping potential customers find your business and improving your local search rankings.

For local service businesses—like HVAC companies, roofers, landscapers, and pressure washers—citations act as digital signposts that tell Google and other search engines where you operate and how to contact you.

Citations can appear in a variety of places, including business directories (such as Yelp, Angi, and HomeAdvisor), social media platforms, local chamber of commerce websites, and industry-specific directories.

The more consistent and accurate your citations are across the web, the more trust search engines place in your business, which can directly impact your visibility in local search results.

For local service businesses, strong citation coverage ensures that your business shows up when people search for services in your area. If you’re a roofing company in Terre Haute or an HVAC contractor in Louisville, you want Google to confidently display your business in search results when someone nearby searches for "roof repair near me" or "AC repair in Louisville."

Local citations help reinforce your presence so that your ideal customers can find and contact you quickly.

Think of local citations like digital shout-outs for your business. They show up online with your name, address, and phone number, helping people in your area find you easily.

It’s like putting a sign outside your shop but online. When people search for businesses like yours, these citations help them pick you.

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