If you're diving into the world of local citations for multi-location businesses, you're in for a wild ride. You may have built citations before, but now it's time to level up your game. Let’s explore how to efficiently identify citation opportunities across multiple locations and make those opportunities count.
Stay Organized Like a Pro
First things first—organization is your best friend. When you’re dealing with several locations, keeping your info in a centralized document is crucial. Think of it as your digital command center. In the fast-paced online ecosystem, even a small error can spiral into a massive headache.
Over the years, I’ve found that spreadsheets are my go-to tool for staying organized. Having an up-to-date, accessible spreadsheet ensures that everyone involved—clients, business partners, and team members—has the same info. When location details change, update that spreadsheet immediately. Here’s a location information spreadsheet template that I swear by. It keeps me on top of all changes made within a business.
“Being organized is not just a choice; it’s a necessity.”
Audit Citations for Multiple Locations
Now that you’ve got your spreadsheet in tip-top shape, it’s time to assess the current state of your citations. The mantra here is simple: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Performing citation audits for multiple locations helps you gauge how well a business is doing online. Upload your location data to a platform of your choice—options like BrightLocal, Moz Local, and Whitespark are fantastic for this. A well-structured audit can highlight duplicate listings, incorrect NAP (Name, Address, Phone number), and even new citation opportunities.
Identify Citation Opportunities
Next, let’s tackle how to scale citations for your various locations. Here’s what you’ll typically encounter:
No Listing Found: This means you’re missing an opportunity. Time to create that citation!
Listing Found But With NAP Errors: Here’s your chance to clean up inconsistencies. Accurate NAP data is critical for building credibility.
Duplicate Listing Found: This can confuse potential customers and search engines alike. Removing duplicates ensures users find the correct information, boosting your rankings.
Your citation audit will prioritize these opportunities, helping you determine which ones to tackle first. A top-notch resource for understanding citation values is the Top Local Citations list.
“Citations help build your brand’s prominence across the web. The more mentions, the more credibility.”
Acting on Opportunities
Once you’ve identified opportunities, it’s time to act. Start building citations steadily over time. I recommend focusing on high-value websites first. Export a CSV per location and prioritize based on authority.
If you’re juggling over 50 locations, don’t hesitate to lean on your platform’s support team for assistance. Establishing a good relationship with them can yield significant benefits in the long run.
Scaling your citation efforts requires ongoing submissions. Set up a schedule to manage your citation building or fixing efforts. I typically build 10-15 citations every other month, but some prefer a monthly cadence. Whatever your approach, consistency is key!
Conclusion
Building local citations for multi-location businesses might seem daunting, but with the right organization and strategy, it can be manageable. Don’t hesitate to utilize your chosen platform’s support resources; they’re there to help!
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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