NAP consistency is a very important factor when talking about local SEO. As you could learn from AZ Citation Services articles, search rankings are directly tied to your NAP consistency and Google My Business (GMB) profile. First, Google uses NAP data from your GMB profile to determine where your business should be ranked. That is why it is important to improve your NAP consistency. Following that, it compares the NAP data from your GMB account to the NAP data from other online directories, social media, and your website.
It’s also simpler for potential consumers to obtain correct information about your company if you have a consistent NAP. Users might get annoyed and lose perspective leads if their NAP data is inconsistent. As a consequence, optimizing for NAP presence may help you authenticate your business across a variety of sources while also helping you score high in local search results.
Know the details of your business
You need to have a fixed business name, address, and phone number both if you operate one or more company locations. You should think about the following factors before you begin optimizing:
- As you may be aware, Google favors keyword-rich business names and considers them to be one of the most important ranking criteria. Include any geographical or service keywords that will improve your local rankings in your Google My Business name. If you have several company locations, you may add locations in the name to make each target location more relevant to search engines.
- Make your own decision on whether to write your address in full or abbreviated form. Your official registered address should be consistent throughout the web and offer value.
- When it comes to delivering local results, search engines are aware of phone number area codes. Choose the format in which you want to put your phone number and use it every time you mention it on the internet.
Make sure your NAP data is correct
Once you’ve decided on your company’s NAP info you’ll need to fill out some paperwork and submit it to the appropriate authorities. Double-check how you entered your NAP information in the first place. Update your company details if you alter or relocate your workplace. Make a spreadsheet and check where else you need to update the data. This way you will have a higher chance to improve your NAP consistency.
Avoid disclosing your company’s many locations. People and search engines are annoyed and puzzled by the various NAP variants. That is because they don’t know which listing to trust. Use different online tools to check for duplicate listings. If you notice any duplicates, you must contact the website owners and claim your company listing to get them removed. In your NAP profile, try to stay away from different options. Use only one phone number for a single company location.
Keep the NAP info on your website updated
Your website is the primary face of your company to both customers and search engines. The website will help with getting everyone the right information. Your website should be the first place you update your NAP information if you make any changes or discover any discrepancies. To ensure that everything is up-to-date and consistent with the accurate language, punctuation, and formatting, your listing data should be the same as your website.
It’s best if you put your NAP information in prominent places on your website. Those are places like the header and footer because they are very visible. Because search engines analyze web pages rather than entire websites, be sure your NAP data is right on all of your web pages.
Boost the visibility of your Google My Business page
Many potential consumers will use Google to find your company. Update your GMB page if you want Google to trust your NAP information. Check that all of the information is correct and that your submitted documentation is correct. Simply update it if you find any discrepancies. When people search for your business on Google, your proper NAP data will display in Google’s Local Pack once Google confirms your business.
The Google My Business dashboard allows you to keep track of your optimization efforts. Many additional things need to be included on your GMB page to get 100 percent optimization.
Update and audit your directories and listings
Building local citations across reputable web directories is one of the most important elements if you want to improve your NAP consistency and local SEO. If you list your business in certain directories, you should double-check that your NAP matches the information on your website. Take note of your company’s entire name, address, phone number, and URL. Make sure your NAP information is consistent throughout your website, Google My Business page, and social accounts.
Keep an eye on social media
Your search results can be significantly influenced by social media. If you have profiles on several social media networks, double-check that your NAP matches the information on your website. Focus on building social media pages that give consistent NAP information, even if you’re just getting started. Also, don’t forget to use social media to advertise and promote your business.
Keep track of your local SEO success
Even if you validate your Google My Business page, update your website, and double-check and adjust the NAP consistency on all of your business listings and social media accounts, every local business must track the performance of marketing operations.
Check out Finteza for sophisticated analytics for this purpose. You’ll be able to obtain the most accurate view of your local search performance. You will also get a clear breakdown of your traffic, and establish conversion objectives based on local sites or events that have been visited.
In conclusion
Google wants to offer you search results that are ideal matches for your query. NAP consistency will help you rank higher on Google Maps, make it easier for customers to discover you, and ultimately pick you to fulfill their needs. The more precise and consistent your NAP is, the more likely Google will deem your business genuine and give it a high ranking for local searches. So, take advantage of the chances that are right in front of you and improve your NAP consistency!
