In the world of digital marketing, local citations are like the breadcrumbs leading customers to your doorstep. These references can be a game-changer for your business's online visibility. The Expert Local Citation Survey 2015 sheds light on why managing your local citations effectively should be at the forefront of your digital marketing strategy.
Key Takeaways from the Survey
Citations Are Critical: A whopping 55% of experts agree that accurate citations are "critical" to local search rankings. If your business isn't listed correctly across various platforms, you might as well be invisible.
Quality Over Quantity: A strong majority—71%—believe that the quality of citations trumps the quantity. Forget about trying to build hundreds of mediocre listings; focus on optimizing the top-tier sites first.
Updating Existing Citations: Nearly half (45%) of the experts suggest that businesses should prioritize updating existing citations before they start building new ones. Think of it as cleaning your house before inviting guests over.
Merging and Deleting Duplicates: 57% agree that it’s "very important" to manage duplicates. You wouldn’t want your potential customers getting confused by multiple listings, would you?
Local Government Sites Rule: When it comes to unstructured citations, local government websites are rated the highest, followed closely by local business groups. These sites carry weight and authority, making them prime targets for citations.
Expert Insights
To quote David Kelly: “No matter how the local search ecosystem evolves, citations will always be one of the most important factors in local search.” This sentiment is echoed across the board, with experts highlighting that citations remain a backbone for local strategies.
Greg Gifford adds, “While lots of local SEOs claim that citations aren’t as powerful anymore, it really depends on the vertical. In many verticals, business owners still have tons of citation problems, so just a bit of citation work can really move the needle.”
So, if you think citations are becoming obsolete, think again. They may not be the only factor that influences local search, but they are certainly a significant one.
Final Thoughts
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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