Citations are another critical aspect of digital marketing and one that quite a few law firms neglect for their websites. Citations are any references of your firm (such as business name, address, and phone number) that are web-based. Citations improve the visibility of your site on search engines and affect how your pages rank. Here are some ways where you can quickly build your sites citations:
Google is such an intrinsic local company asset that many local SEO professionals do not consider it a “citation.” It is distinguished as a distinct category in the local SEO citation building tool. The most crucial listing to build and manage is your Google My Business listing. Because of Google’s dominance in the local search business, your listing there is quite valuable.
Core structured citations
Search engines, local business directories, and apps all have a set of guidelines for creating listings. Nearly any type of local firm may be listed on a core set of high-quality platforms. Superpages, HomeAdvisor, Yahoo!, YP, Yelp. Acxiom, Apple Maps, Bing, Citygrid, Factual.
At the absolute least, each local business should develop and keep an accurate listing on all of the sites mentioned above, ensuring that none of their listings is duplicated. Some basic citations are free, while others charge a fee or include both free and paid listings.
Industry-Specific Platforms
Additional platforms may give chances for creating more high-value structured citations, depending on your firm’s sector and geographical location. Hotels and other hospitality businesses, for example, can be featured on TripAdvisor.com, a prominent travel review website. A website like HealthGrades.com may help doctors get featured. FindLaw.com is a website where lawyers may advertise themselves. General contractors, home service providers, and various other company types will be able to find professional association websites to add to their citations. Websites like chambers of commerce, local business groups, and community centres all provide areas to advertise your business that is particular to the location you serve.
Unstructured Citations
Any website or app that isn’t specially designed to publish local business listings is an unstructured citation. Mentions in a media story, a blog post, or on a social media site, for example, function as a structured citation for your company. Unstructured citations can be built by sending editorials or other content to local newspapers, appearing on blogs, sponsoring clubs or events, or participating in social media campaigns. You may also gain volunteer mentions of your company by providing excellent content, being newsworthy, or simply being popular.
Your Website
Your website is the Internet’s most authoritative depiction of your company’s data. Ensure your name, office address, and phone number are structured and spelt consistently throughout your website. Don’t forget about your footer and header, as well as references deep inside your site’s pages. If any of your company’s data changes, make sure to audit your whole website and update any references.
If you want help getting your law firm to convert better online, contact Windy City Law Designs today. With over 10 years experience in website design and development and Internet marketing solutions, we will increase your online visibility.