What is NAP Consistency in Local SEO?

NAP is an acronym for, ‘Name, Address, Phone‘. NAP Consistency means your business’s Name, Address, and Phone Number are consistently listed the same across the web.

Let’s face it. If your business can’t be found on the first page of search results, you are losing valuable customers.

More people are coming to rely on online searches to research local businesses, products, or services.

To rank well, it is essential that your company’s business information is accurate and consistent. Your company stands to lose potential customers if this information is not accurate.

Local SEO is key to drive local customers; you need to rank locally!

Lack of Consistent NAP can make you invisible

You worked hard to make your company visible online. You invested thousands and worked hard to built a beautiful website.

Google itself says that NAP important for Local SEO.

Example of an inconsistant NAP, one company with multiple names:

SD SEO Company

San Diego Search Engine Co.

San Diego SEO Company

It is imperative for your business first to make sure your name, address and phone number (NAP) is accurate in all areas online, especially the high authority directories. Your NAP is a driving force in targeting local customers to your physical location(s).

Popular online directories:

• Google+
• Yahoo
• Bing
• Yelp
• Merchant Circle
• Yellowbook
• Superpages.com, read how to add your business
• YP.com
• Better Business Bureau
• Mantra.com

You now know that focusing on getting your company visible industry specific directories is the best way to attract attention online. I can help you to get visible with these online directories as well as ensure your NAP is consistent.

Inaccurate or outdated information confuses the search engines and your customers

Drumming up business online through attractive websites should only be part of your business strategy. Once you are visible to your target audience through the popular and industry-specific web directories, you need to maintain accurate information. Google searches need to have up-to-date information for effective Local SEO marketing.

How To Do Local SEO: The Basics

Local businesses need local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to attract potential customers to their businesses online. Google is the number one search engine that people use to research products and services online. Any company that wants to be visible online to a local market should focus onGoogle local searches. A local SEO strategy is critical, and NAP Consistency is an integral aspect.

Google local searches are focused on geographic areas. This is ideal for small businesses because it allows them to focus on a target audience in their particular geographic area. Small businesses benefit from Google local applications that focus in on their given category.

How Google Determines Local Ranking

Local results are based primarily on relevance, distance, and prominence. These factors are combined to help find the best match for your search. For example, Google algorithms might decide that a business that’s farther away from your location is more likely to have what you’re looking for than a business that’s closer and therefore rank it higher in local results according to MOZ.

On page factors including NAP Consistency are 20.3%