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
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.
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).
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.
Online business networking site.
62) City Slick
Free business directory.
63) Busiverse (also businessdb)
Business directory.
A general directory.
65) Service Magic
Directory of service companies (includes a “seal of approval”).
66) Local forums
Forums focused on local areas.
Industrial directory.
68) MatchPoint
Directory of service providers.
69) USCity.net
Directory focused on the U.S.
70) Metrobot
County street 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).
“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.
