How I Use Local Citation Building Services to Rank Businesses on Google
Local SEO isn't rocket science.
But if you're ignoring local citations, you're leaving rankings on the table.
What’s a Local Citation?
A local citation is any mention of your business's name, address, and phone number (NAP) online.
Think directories like Yelp, YellowPages, and Foursquare.
Google uses these mentions to check if your business info is accurate and trusted.
More accurate citations = more trust = better local rankings. Simple.
Why I Use Citation Building Services
Manually submitting to 50+ directories? No thanks. It takes hours. And it's boring.
So I use citation building services to get it done faster.
Here’s what they do:
List your business on local directories
Make sure your NAP info is consistent
Fix incorrect listings
Find niche-specific directories too
That saves me time. And it gives Google more trusted signals to boost rankings.
How I Pick the Right Citation Services
Not all citation services are worth it.
Here’s what I look for:
Manual submissions (no bots)
Clear reporting (where they submitted)
Niche and local directories (not just general ones)
Cleanup service for bad or duplicate listings
Services like Citation Forge, BrightLocal and Whitespark have worked well for me.
Also, I check reviews before I spend a dime.
My Process: Step-by-Step
Let me break down exactly how I do it.
Step 1: Get NAP Info Ready
Before anything, I make sure the business name, address, and phone number are 100% correct.
Step 2: Use Google to Check Existing Citations
I search for the business name in quotes. I also check on Moz Local to see where it’s already listed.
Step 3: Order a Citation Service
I choose the right service, give them the correct info, and let them handle it.
Step 4: Review the Report
I check the list of directories they submitted to. I also spot-check some listings to confirm accuracy.
Step 5: Recheck After a Few Weeks
Once citations are live, I track local rankings. I also use tools like BrightLocal to monitor NAP consistency.
Real Results I’ve Seen
After building local citations:
Maps rankings usually go up
More calls come in
Local pack visibility improves
It’s not magic. But it works.
Especially when combined with good on-page SEO and Google Business Profile optimization.
Final Thoughts
Local citation building works. But only if you do it right.
Don't spam directories.
Use accurate info.
Stick with trusted services.
That’s how I use local citation building services to rank businesses higher on Google without wasting time.