What is a local business list?
A local business list (also called a local quote) is any online mention of a company’s name, address and phone number (NAP). It often includes a brief description, customer reviews, pictures, working hours and a link to the site.
Like this example from Yelp:
Why are local business listings important?
Local business listings are important because having correct business information is publicly making it easy for customers to find your business. It also helps search engines like Google to provide accurate details to users looking for your business.
Exact quotes make your business seem more reliable to both customers and search engines. As a result, your business can appear in more local search results.
The process of distributing your information to local folders is called citation building.
Top Local Business List Folders
Below are some of the top local business list folders for which you can submit your information as a way to strengthen your local presence:
To create a local listing
1. Prepare your information
Preparing your information before creating local lists ensures that details remain consistent across all folders.
Here’s the information you need:
- Business Name: Use the official name without variations
- Address: Format the address uniform for each library
- Phone number: Indicate the main contact number to customers
- Website URL: Include a link to your website
- Opening hours: Include ordinary hours and any special holiday time
- Business category: Choose the most relevant category
- Pictures: Use high -quality images showing your business, products and/or services
- Description: Write a brief overview of your business
2. Select your folders and create lists
Choosing the right folders puts your business ahead of people who are most likely to become your customers.
Consider the following:
- Business profiles on search engines, such as Google Business Profile and Bing Places for Business
- Business profiles on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tiktok, Pinterest, etc.
- Large and reputable online folders such as BBB, Yelp and Foursquare
- Industry -specific folders. Like TripAdvisor to travel and hospitality companies or Angi for home services.
The submission process typically looks like this:
- Claim or create your listing. Some sites automatically generate a list that you may require. If you don’t see one for your business, create one.
- Complete your details. Enter consistent information on all platforms.
- Confirm your lists. Follow each library’s instructions. You can typically confirm ownership by phone, e -mail, video call or sent postcard.
If multi -list control feels overwhelming, Semrush’s listing management tool can automate the process and keep your information consistent.
3. Optimize your lists
Optimizing your lists helps you stand out and rank higher in local searches.
Start with the best practice below:
- Use relevant keywords. Include keywords related to your business. If you are new to keyword surveys, start with our local keyword research guide.
- Encourages customer reviews. Positive reviews build trust and can increase search ranking.
- Answer to all reviews. Show that you value what customers say by responding to both positive and negative feedback.
- Keep information up to date. Check and revised your location, hours or services as they change.
- Add Pictures of High Quality. Regularly upload new images that reflect current offers.
Monitor and maintain your local lists
Handling local lists helps to ensure accuracy, increase the customer’s commitment and support local SEO.
A tool like list management can automate much of this process and save time that you would otherwise use manually reviewing and updating lists.
Once you have entered and selected your business, the tool shows a list of catalog data that needs updates.
Click “Improve lists now.”
Then enter your business information.
Once you have clicked ”Start by distributing info“The tool automatically distributes your business information to folders.
You can track how and where your information is distributed in the interface of the tool.
Sign up to try it today.