So, you’re ready to dive into local SEO and start creating listings for your business. You might think it’s as simple as plugging in your details across a few directories and waiting for the leads to roll in. Not so fast! If you don’t want to accidentally create duplicates or let outdated info mess with your rankings, there’s a critical step you can’t skip: performing a citation audit.
Before you jump into manual submissions, let’s break down what you need to know and do to set your business up for success.
1. Perform a Citation Audit: Clean Up the Mess First
Before you can start building new citations, you need to see what’s already out there. Think of it like decluttering your garage before buying new tools—you don’t want to add more stuff if the old stuff is a mess.
Start by searching for existing citations of your business. This helps you avoid creating duplicate listings, which can confuse search engines and customers alike. Duplicates don’t just take up space—they actively hurt your rankings. You also want to update any outdated or incorrect information. If your NAP (name, address, phone number) is inconsistent, you risk frustrating customers—and that’s a fast way to lose sales.
Consider this stat: 68% of consumers say they’d stop using a local business if they found incorrect directory information. Yikes.
Pro tip: Use tools like Citation Tracker or Local Listings Health Scanner to find existing mentions of your business online and flag any errors.
2. Build a List of Target Sites: Don’t Throw Spaghetti at the Wall
Now that you’ve got your citations cleaned up, it’s time to build new ones. But where do you submit them? You can’t just throw your business info everywhere. You need a plan.
Here’s what to consider:
Domain Authority: High-authority domains are more likely to boost your SEO.
Industry relevance: Are you submitting to niche directories relevant to your business?
Local relevance: Local directories can give you the upper hand in location-based searches.
Don’t waste time on low-quality, spammy directories. Focus on directories that have a real audience and align with your business goals. Think quality over quantity.
3. Assess Competitor NAP Profiles: Copycatting Done Right
Why reinvent the wheel? Take a look at your competitors to see what’s working for them. What citation sites are they using that you’re not? Competitors’ profiles can offer insight into industry-specific directories you might not have considered.
Tools like Citation Tracker make this process easy by letting you pull competitor data and compare profiles. If you don’t have access to these tools, a little Google sleuthing can also work wonders. Look up your competitors and jot down any sites where you don’t have a presence.
4. Use Google to Identify Niche and Local Directories
If you’re not sure where else to submit your business, Google it. Search terms like “your business type + city” or “industry + directory” will show relevant platforms. You’re looking for niche directories, local business groups, trade bodies, and even Chambers of Commerce.
Remember: the goal is to find high-quality, specific directories that fit your business, not just generic listings. Local relevance is key here. The more local or niche-specific, the better your chances of outranking competitors in search results.
5. Measure Domain Authority: Moz Toolbar to the Rescue
Once you’ve got your list of target directories, it’s time to vet them. Just because a directory shows up in Google doesn’t mean it’s worth your time. Enter the Moz Toolbar.
This free tool will show you the domain authority (DA), page authority, and spam score for any directory. You want to stick with sites that have higher DA, which indicates they’re trusted by Google. Avoid anything with a high spam score—that’s a red flag.
6. Manual Submissions: Time to Get to Work
Now that you’ve audited your citations and built a solid list of targets, it’s time to start submitting. Go to each site, search for your business, and check for existing listings. If there’s already a listing, claim it and update any incorrect information. If not, you can add your business details from scratch.
One important thing: consistency is key. Use the same format for your NAP across all listings. This helps build trust with search engines and ensures your citations are working to improve your rankings.
Keep Track of Everything
Manual submissions take time, and you’ll need to update your info down the road. Keep a spreadsheet of every directory you submit to, along with login details for easy access. That way, when something changes (like your business hours or phone number), you can quickly make updates across the board.
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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