Appendix H:
Name Address Phone (NAP)& Citations
Chapter Table of Contents
- What Is NAP?
- Name Address Phone (NAP) Inconsistency Example
- The Significance Of A Consistent NAP
- List of Local Directories
- List of Restaurant Directories
- List of Review Sites
- List of Real Estate Directories
- List of Healthcare Directories
- List of Home Service Directories
- List of Map & Location Directories
- Social Media For Local Business
What is NAP?
When we talk about consistent business information, we specifically refer to NAP, which stands for Name, Address, and Phone number. NAP forms the foundation of your local online presence.
It’s very important that your Name Address Phone is consistent across every platform. Accomplishing this isn’t as easy as it sounds.
An Example of NAP Inconsistencies
Let’s assume when you opened your business the first you did was put your Name Address Phone (NAP) on your website’s contact us page. Then you claimed your Google Business Profile.
Let’s say they both matched exactly and appear like this:
ABC Company, LLC.
123 Main Street, Suite 200
Miami, FL 33333
Then you jumped onto social media and onto other local directories. Your Facebook Business Page’s NAP may look like this…
ABC Company
123 Main St, Suite 200
Miami, Florida 33333
And your Bing Places NAP looks like this…
ABC Company llc
123 Main St # 200
Miami, Fla 33333
Notice the inconsistencies? Though these slight modifications, appear minor, they’re not. These inconsistent uses of your NAP make it harder for the various directories to tie your business to a single source. That makes it more difficult for your business to rank higher in local search.
Scan your business to see how consistent your NAP is…
The Significance Of A Consistent NAP
Ensuring Accurate and Consistent Business Information: The First Step to Local SEO Success
In today’s digitally connected world, local businesses must prioritize their online presence to stay competitive. A crucial step in achieving success in local search engine optimization (SEO) is ensuring accurate and consistent business information. The basis of this consistent information is a business’ Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP).
When potential customers search for products or services in their area, search engines rely on the accuracy and consistency of NAP information to provide them with relevant results. Ensuring accuracy means that your business information is up-to-date and reflects your current location, contact details, and business name.
Consistency, on the other hand, involves matching your NAP EXACTLY across all online platforms, including your website, online directories, social media profiles, and review websites.
By maintaining accurate and consistent NAP, you signal to search engines that your business is reliable, trustworthy, and actively engaged with your local community. This first step lays a solid foundation for your local SEO efforts, allowing you to stand out from the competition and increase your online visibility.
Building Trust and Credibility with Consistent NAP: Why it Matters for Your Local Business
Consistent NAP goes beyond its impact on local SEO; it plays a fundamental role in building trust and credibility with your potential customers. In a time when online scams and fraudulent businesses are prevalent, consumers have become more cautious and skeptical. They prioritize businesses they perceive as trustworthy and reliable, and one way they determine this is through the consistency of your business information.
Imagine a potential customer finding multiple listings for your business, each with slightly different addresses or phone numbers. This inconsistency creates confusion and raises doubts about the legitimacy of your business. On the other hand, if your NAP information is accurate and consistent across all platforms, it reinforces the image of a reliable and established local business. This consistency builds trust and encourages potential customers to choose your offerings over those of your competitors.
Moreover, consistent NAP demonstrates that you are committed to providing a reliable customer experience. It shows that you take pride in your business and its reputation, highlighting your professionalism and attention to detail. By establishing this level of trust and credibility, you can attract a loyal customer base and foster long-term relationships, ultimately leading to increased sales and business growth.
Maximizing Online Visibility and Increasing Customer Engagement: Harnessing the Power of Consistent NAP
Consistent NAP isn’t just essential for search engines and building trust; it also plays a significant role in maximizing your online visibility and increasing customer engagement. When your business information remains consistent across various online platforms, search engines can confidently attribute mentions of your business to a single entity, enhancing your visibility in local search results.
Moreover, with consistent NAP, potential customers can find accurate information about your business more easily. Whether they come across your website, social media profiles, or review websites, consistent NAP ensures that they can quickly obtain correct contact details, including your phone number, address, and website. This ease of access to accurate information eliminates any frustration or confusion, improving customer satisfaction and increasing the likelihood of them engaging with your business.
Consistent NAP also enhances your chances of appearing in local directories and review platforms. These platforms act as valuable sources of information for potential customers seeking recommendations or conducting research. By ensuring that your NAP is consistent, you increase the chances of being featured prominently in search results on these platforms, making it more likely that customers will discover and engage with your business.
Ultimately, consistent NAP allows you to leverage the power of local online presence to its fullest extent. It establishes your business as a trustworthy and reliable option, enhances your visibility in local search results, and increases customer engagement. By prioritizing consistent NAP, you position your local business for success in the digital age.
List of Local Directories
Google Business Profile: a free Google listing for your business that needs to be claimed in order to update, optimize and use its features.
Yelp: one of the most popular local review sites.
Yellow Pages: An an online business directory that started as a book.
Facebook Business Pages: local businesses can create a free page for their business and use it to connect with their local audience directly on Facebook.
Apple Maps: includes a directory of local businesses that’s apple devices and services, including Apple Maps and Car Play.
Bing Places for Business: a local business directory for Bing users that’s similar to Google Business Profiles.
TripAdvisor: a travel and lodging directory for hotels, restaurants and attractions.
Angi (formerly Angie’s List): is a directory of local service such as: home improvement, healthcare, and auto repair.
Foursquare: is a location based technology platform directory of local businesses.
Better Business Bureau (BBB): is a nonprofit organization that rates local businesses.
Local.com: is a directory that helps people find our what’s happening in their city.
Citysearch: is a directory of information, events and attractions in major US metropolitan areas.
Superpages: a directory listing of businesses across the US.
Chamber of Commerce: many communities have a local Chamber of Commerce that includes a directory listing of members.
MerchantCircle: is a directory of local businesses that represents itself as the largest social network for local business.
Yellowbook: is a traditional, broad category-based business directory that’s now online.
DexKnows: is a directory of local home improvement contractors, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, painters and roofers in and around major cities.
Manta: is a marketing platform that also has a business listing directory.
Hotfrog: is a global business directory with localized searches.
Insider Pages: helps people find the best local businesses through their friend and neighbor recommendations.
Alignable: is a social networking platform for local business owners.
EZLocal: provides free local business listings.
CitySquares: is a neighborhood-based local directory.
LocalStack: helps people discover trending local businesses through the power of social media.
Judy’s Book: user-generated content and reviews provides the trusted scoop on local places.
USdirectory.com: is an online directory that covers businesses across the United States.
ChamberofCommerce.com: is a free an online directory listing for your business.
eLocal: connects people to local professionals.
Thumbtack: connects people with local professional service providers.
8coupons: is an online deal and discount site.
Yellowbot: is a local search directory.
HomeAdvisor: HomeAdvisor is a directory of home service providers that’s powered by Angi.com.
Zocdoc: is a directory of healthcare providers.
RateMDs: is a directory that of healthcare provider ratings and reviews.
Apartments.com: is an apartment rental directory.
Rent.com: is an apartment rental directory.
Cars.com: is an automative listing and research directory.
WeddingWire: is a wedding planning and vendor directory.
Houzz: is a home design and remodeling service directory.
OpenTable: is an online restaurant reservation platform.
Vitals: is a directory of doctors and dentists.
AutoMD: is a directory of automotive repair shops.
Avvo: is a directory of lawyers.
1-800-DENTIST: is a directory of dentists.
Healthgrades: is a directory of healthcare providers and facilities.
Porch: is a directory of moving companies, insurance agents and home improvement companies.
Apartment Finder: is an apartment rental directory.
Realtor.com: is a directory that matches home sellers and home buyers with Realtors®.
Zillow: is a popular real estate directory.
SpaFinder: is a directory of salons and spas.
RV Life Reviews: is an RV and campground review directory.
Groupon: is a deal and discount directory.
Doctor.com: is a directory of healthcare providers.
Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): is a directory of vacation rental properties.
Allmenus: is a directory of restaurant menus.
Wedding Spot: is a directory of wedding venues.
The Knot: is a comprehensive wedding planning directory.
GigSalad: is a directory of event planners, performers and entertainers.
SeniorAdvisor.com: is a directory that focuses on senior living and care services.
HomeStars: is a Canadian focused improvement and contractor services directory.
GayCities: is an LGBTQ+ community directory.
Zumper: is an apartment and house rental listing directory
Door Dash: is a third party online ordering and delivery service platform for restaurants.
UberEats: is a third party online ordering and delivery service platform for restaurants.
GrubHub: is a third party online ordering and delivery service platform for restaurants.
USCity: is a local business directory.
TomTom: is a location and mapping technology to help people find places.
Nextdoor: is a community based social app with a local business directory.
Opendi: is a local business directory
Siri: to get your business into Siri, get your business listed in Apple Maps and online directories.
Trustpilot: is a business directory and online review site.
Instagram: is a platform for local business to connect with local people and influencers.
Brownbook: is global business listings database.
Petal Search: is a search engine for mobile apps, news, images and videos.
n49:is a Canadian business review site.
DocSpot: is a doctor and therapist directory.
Here: is a location-based app service
Uber: is a platform for on-demand rides, grocery and food delivery
WebMD: is a medical resource site with a healthcare provider directory.
DentalPlans: is a directory of local dentists.
MapQuest: is an online mapping service with a business listings featured.
Alexa: to get your business listed on Alexa, your business needs to be listed on a directory that’s integrated with Alexa to enable it to pull in its business listings.
List of Restaurant Directories
Yelp: one of the most popular local review sites.
TripAdvisor: a travel and lodging directory for hotels, restaurants and attractions.
OpenTable: is an online restaurant reservation platform.
Allmenus: is a directory of restaurant menus.
Door Dash: is a third party online ordering and delivery service platform for restaurants.
UberEats: is a third party online ordering and delivery service platform for restaurants.
GrubHub: is a third party online ordering and delivery service platform for restaurants.
Instagram: is a platform for local business to connect with local people and influencers.
Uber: is a platform for on-demand rides, grocery and food delivery
List of Review Sites
Google Business Profile: a free Google listing for your business that needs to be claimed in order to update, optimize and use its features.
Yelp: one of the most popular local review sites.
Yellow Pages: An an online business directory that started as a book.
Facebook Business Pages: local businesses can create a free page for their business and use it to connect with their local audience directly on Facebook.
Apple Maps: includes a directory of local businesses that’s apple devices and services, including Apple Maps and Car Play.
Bing Places for Business: a local business directory for Bing users that’s similar to Google Business Profiles.
TripAdvisor: a travel and lodging directory for hotels, restaurants and attractions.
Angi (formerly Angie’s List): is a directory of local service such as: home improvement, healthcare, and auto repair.
Foursquare: is a location based technology platform directory of local businesses.
Better Business Bureau (BBB): is a nonprofit organization that rates local businesses.
Judy’s Book: user-generated content and reviews provides the trusted scoop on local places.
HomeAdvisor: HomeAdvisor is a directory of home service providers that’s powered by Angi.com.
Zocdoc: is a directory of healthcare providers.
RateMDs: is a directory that of healthcare provider ratings and reviews.
Healthgrades: is a directory of healthcare providers and facilities.
RV Life Reviews: is an RV and campground review directory.
Trustpilot: is a business directory and online review site.
Instagram: is a platform for local business to connect with local people and influencers.
n49:is a Canadian business review site.
List of Real Estate Directories
Apartments.com: is an apartment rental directory.
Rent.com: is an apartment rental directory.
Houzz: is a home design and remodeling service directory.
Porch: is a directory of moving companies, insurance agents and home improvement companies.
Apartment Finder: is an apartment rental directory.
Realtor.com: is a directory that matches home sellers and home buyers with Realtors®.
Zillow: is a popular real estate directory.
RV Life Reviews: is an RV and campground review directory.
Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner): is a directory of vacation rental properties.
SeniorAdvisor.com: is a directory that focuses on senior living and care services.
HomeStars: is a Canadian focused improvement and contractor services directory.
Zumper: is an apartment and house rental listing directory
List of Healthcare Directories
Zocdoc: is a directory of healthcare providers.
RateMDs: is a directory that of healthcare provider ratings and reviews.
Vitals: is a directory of doctors and dentists.
1-800-DENTIST: is a directory of dentists.
Healthgrades: is a directory of healthcare providers and facilities.
SpaFinder: is a directory of salons and spas.
Doctor.com: is a directory of healthcare providers.
SeniorAdvisor.com: is a directory that focuses on senior living and care services.
DocSpot: is a doctor and therapist directory.
WebMD: is a medical resource site with a healthcare provider directory.
DentalPlans: is a directory of local dentists.
List of Home Service Directories
Angi (formerly Angie’s List): is a directory of local service such as: home improvement, healthcare, and auto repair.
DexKnows: is a directory of local home improvement contractors, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, painters and roofers in and around major cities.
eLocal: connects people to local home service professionals.
Thumbtack: connects people with local professional service providers.
HomeAdvisor: HomeAdvisor is a directory of home service providers that’s powered by Angi.com.
Houzz: is a home design and remodeling service directory.
Porch: is a directory of moving companies, insurance agents and home improvement companies.
HomeStars: is a Canadian focused improvement and contractor services directory.
List of Map & Location Directories
Google Business Profile: a free Google listing for your business that needs to be claimed in order to update, optimize and use its features.
Yellow Pages: An an online business directory that started as a book.
Facebook Business Pages: local businesses can create a free page for their business and use it to connect with their local audience directly on Facebook.
Apple Maps: includes a directory of local businesses that’s apple devices and services, including Apple Maps and Car Play.
Bing Places for Business: a local business directory for Bing users that’s similar to Google Business Profiles.
Foursquare: is a location based technology platform directory of local businesses.
Siri: to get your business into Siri, get your business listed in Apple Maps and online directories.
Here: is a location-based app service
Uber: is a platform for on-demand rides, grocery and food delivery
MapQuest: is an online mapping service with a business listings featured.
TomTom: is a location and mapping technology to help people find places.
Alexa: to get your business listed on Alexa, your business needs to be listed on a directory that’s integrated with Alexa to enable it to pull in its business listings.
Social Media For Local Business
Facebook Business Pages: local businesses can create a free page for their business and use it to connect with their local audience directly on Facebook.
Apple Maps: includes a directory of local businesses that’s apple devices and services, including Apple Maps and Car Play.
Bing Places for Business: a local business directory for Bing users that’s similar to Google Business Profiles.
TripAdvisor: a travel and lodging directory for hotels, restaurants and attractions.
Angi (formerly Angie’s List): is a directory of local service such as: home improvement, healthcare, and auto repair.
Foursquare: is a location based technology platform directory of local businesses.
MerchantCircle: is a directory of local businesses that represents itself as the largest social network for local business.
Alignable: is a social networking platform for local business owners.
Thumbtack: connects people with local professional service providers.
Nextdoor: is a community based social app with a local business directory.
Instagram: is a platform for local business to connect with local people and influencers.
