Google Places Tips - Top Citation Sources For Plumbers - Plumbing & HVAC SEO

As I have described in my posts on Google Places Optimization Fundamentals and Advanced Google Places Optimization Strategies, there are three major determinants to placement on the Google Map:

1. Proper claiming and optimization of your Google Places listing.

2. Having a consistent N.A.P. (name, address, phone number) profile across the web via citation development (getting listed on all the major online directory sites with the same name, address and phone number).

3. Reviews and Google’s confidence in your true service area (see my post on Google Places Optimization Black Belt Technique for more on this). On this post I want to address #2, establishing your NAP profile across the web via citation development. Below is a list of what I have found to be the most important places to ensure that you company is listed with the same name, address & phone number.

Top Citation Sources for Google Places Optimization

1) Google Places

Probably the most important and most talked about place to list your local business. Getting citations and ratings from many of the sites below can help boost your business’ listing on Google.

2) Yelp

The most popular social networking, directory and review site. Aside from counting as a citation for your business in the eyes of the search engines, this site can deliver quite a bit of traffic on its own. However, business owners will need to learn to deal with the occasional nasty review.

3) foursquare

The popular way to check in via your smartphone can also provide a valuable citation for your local business.

4) Universal Business Listing

A multiple local listing service – UBL.org (along with Localeze below) is one of the major players in the effort to fill in your information once to get listed with multiple yellow pages sites, directories and social networking/review sites. Saves time and effort but may be slower than going direct with the individual sites (see Localeze and InfoUSA below as well).

5) Yahoo Local

Yahoo’s local directory tied to Yahoo Maps.

6) Local.com

Business listings, event listings, coupons and reviews.

7) CitySearch

One of the most authoritative local directories.

8) Bing Local

Bing’s local business listing service integrated with maps of cities and towns.

9) CraigsList

Some SEO’s recommend creating classifieds for your business on popular sites such as Craigslist. There’s some disagreement over whether this is effective from an SEO point of view.

10) GetListed.org

Convenient way to identify where you are and aren't listed on major directories. Provides referrals to Universal Business Listings and Localeze as well as consultants (if you need extra help).

11) dmoz (Open Diretory Project)

A free and authoritative index that is managed by volunteers. If you can get your business listed, this helps with an authoritative back-link (but not necessarily a local citation). It can be difficult to get a new listing due to the limited resources and large volumes of submissions.

12) Superpages

One of the many Internet Yellow Pages directories (IYP). Includes business listings, people search, reviews and local deals.

13) Localeze

A multiple local listing service.

14) InfoUSA

A multiple local listings service.

15) Your local Chamber of Commerce

Joining your local chamber of commerce can often get you a business listing (and a citation for local SEO purposes).

16) InsiderPages

Local directory and rating site

17) Merchant Circle

Local directory and rating site

18) Best of the Web

A popular directory with free and paid listing options – specifically for local businesses. They have a Best of the Web Local directory.

19) Yellowpages.com

Internet Yellow Pages (also YP.com)

20) Business.com

Business.com provides business information but also has a directory.

21) Kudzu

Business review site (like Yelp).

22) Better Business Bureau

Your local Better Business Bureau usually charges for membership and provides a link to your business.

23) DexKnows

Business and people directory.

24) Acxiom

A major source of data for various yellowpages and directories – they don’t take business submissions like some of the other data providers or multiple local listings services.

25) Your local newspaper’s website

Getting an article, business listing or classified ad optimized with your local information and a link can provide a citation for your business.

26) Yellowbook.com

Internet Yellow Pages.

27) HotFrog

A business directory with free and fairly inexpensive paid listing options.

28) Crunchbase

A listing of technology companies that is user-generated.

29) Angie’s List

Service provider directory.

30) Judy’s Book

Local review site.

31) Jigsaw

Business people and company directory.

32) ibegin

U.S. and Canadian business directory.

33) OpenList

Local directory with ratings.

34) wikimapia

Wiki-based directory of places including schools, businesses, and more – laid out on maps.

35) citysquares

Local business directory with ratings.

36) Infospace

Business and people listings.

37) magicyellow

A straightforward Internet Yellow Pages directory.

38) whitepages.com

People and business listings.

39) Manta

Company profiles.

40) EZLocal

Local business listings and ratings.

41) BrownBook

Local business listings and ratings.

42) CityVoter

Vote for favorite businesses.

43) ShopCity

Local business listings.

44) YellowBot

Local listings and ratings.

45) MojoPages

Social networking and review site (like Yelp).

46) Tupalo.com

International social networking and review site.

47) Praized

Social networking and review site.

48) Panoramio

Pictures associated with maps. Geo Tag images, upload to Panoramio and add them to your Google Places listings.

49) GetFave

Business directory, including featured listings (with additional content such as videos and pictures).

50) BizJournals

Business journal that includes business directories for certain U.S. cities.

51) Tjoos

Online store listings and coupons.

52) JoeAnt

Website directory.

53) Zidster

Products, services or business listings.

54) TrueLocal

Business directory – seems to have sparse listings.

55) ZipLeaf

Network of international business directories.

56) WCities

Places and events for cities and towns, including ratings.

57) Naymz

Personal branding site.

58) Zoominfo

Database of people and companies.

59) Yellowikis

Wiki-based business directory.

60) gomylocal

Yellow Pages/local directory.

61) Fast Pitch Network

Online business networking site.

62) City Slick

Free business directory.

63) Busiverse (also businessdb)

Business directory.

64) yellowpages.lycos.com

A general directory.

65) Service Magic

Directory of service companies (includes a “seal of approval”).

66) Local forums

Forums focused on local areas.

67) Mcrae’s Blue Book

Industrial directory.

68) MatchPoint

Directory of service providers.

69) USCity.net

Directory focused on the U.S.

70) Metrobot

County street maps.

71) Google Custom Maps

“Create personalized, annotated, customized maps using Google Maps. Listing businesses in custom maps may help them in ranking for local search.

72) Yellowee (formerly Genie Knows)

Local review site.

73) AskCity

Ask.com’s local directory.

74) Tyloon

Billed as International Yellow Pages (including multi-lingual listings).

75) Discover Our Town

“The ultimate U.S. travel, tourism and relocation guide”.

Want more details on how to optimize your Google Places listing for page one placement? Download our FREE Google Places Optimization Guide.

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