Correct local listings are more important than ever for businesses. But what are local listings anyway? Local listings are virtual storefronts that give customers an overview of the business, such as when it is open and how they can reach the business.

And these listings are very vital to the success of the business. According to Semrush, a lot 87% of consumers research local businesses online. So almost everyone in your target audience will look up your business on search platforms like Google before visiting.

This article explores why it's essential to keep these listings current, uncovers the problems associated with outdated information, and explains how to keep your listing accurate so you can make a good impression and attract customers.

Connected: Increase your business visibility in local search results by combining these 2 key strategies

Consequences of incorrect listings

Inaccurate information on local listings can lead to significant setbacks for businesses. Some of these include:

• Loss of customers and revenue: According to Brightlocal, nearly seven in ten consumers (68%) would stop using a local business if they discovered inaccurate information in online directories. When customers encounter irrelevant or incorrect details on your website, such as wrong hours of operation or old addresses, they are likely to check other alternatives. This results in lost sales opportunities and reduces customer retention.

• Damage to reputation: Inaccurate listings can destroy a customer's trust in your particular business. To better illustrate it, one might come to a store that is supposed to be open only to find that it is closed based on old records. This can lead to unfavorable reviews and harm business reputation.

• Decrease in online visibility: Search engines place a premium on the accuracy and relevance of businesses when listing them in search results. Inaccurate listings will be a sign to search engines that the business is not trustworthy, in turn leading to lower search rankings and reduced online visibility.

Using the right listings for business growth

Ensuring your business's online listings are accurate and up-to-date is essential to growth. You may ask, “Why?” Well, an accurate list of your business details Google My Business, Yelp, Bing Places and other platforms increase the chances that people will find your business online. The end result is that your website is likely to be in the top search results, which makes it easier for potential customers to find you.

Statistics show that 80% of consumers lose trust to local businesses when they encounter incorrect or inconsistent contact details or business names online. It just goes to show that accurate listings lead to customers trusting your business. When they know they can rely on information they find online, like your address and hours of operation, they'll be more likely to choose you over your competitors.

And it's not just about trust – it's also about bringing in more customers. When people can easily find the right information about your business online, they are more likely to visit your store or make a purchase. This means more foot traffic and sales, leading to real growth for your business.

Connected: 5 tips to improve your local SEO in 5 hours

Common pitfalls to avoid

Searching local listings can be a bit complicated, especially because most businesses make avoidable mistakes. Here are some common mistakes businesses make and why they're important to avoid:

• Forgetting to update special hours: Holidays and events may result in different hours of operation. Not informing customers about these special hours through online platforms can cause them to show up when you're closed or miss work during extended hours. You should always keep your special hours up to date to avoid disappointing customers and ensure you are getting the most out of your peak hours.

• Ignore comments: Reviews can have a huge effect on your business's reputation and even determine a customer's decisions. Not responding to feedback – whether positive or negative – will make you appear disengaged or indifferent to customer feedback. Interaction with comments it shows customers that you value their input and are committed to providing quality service, which in turn helps build trust and loyalty.

• Inconsistencies across platforms: When your information is different from one platform to another — different hours on Google and Yelp, for example — it can confuse customers and damage your credibility. Being consistent with your information across all platforms is the foundation of building customer trust and making sure they can get the right details about your business.

Connected: 4 strategies to help you attract more local customers to your small business

Best practices for keeping accurate lists

Save accurate local listings requires proactive management. Here are some effective strategies to ensure your listings stay updated and optimized:

Use local listing management tools:

Think about the possibility of using specialized platforms or services that aim to simplify the process local list management on different platforms. These tools can enable you to maintain consistency, keep an eye on performance and edit your data instantly.

Carry out regular checks:

Perform routine checks of your listings on all platforms to find inconsistencies or outdated information. This can be done monthly, quarterly or as needed, depending on the frequency of changes to your business information.

Define responsibility:

You can assign a team member to manage local lists. Having a dedicated individual or team responsible for this ensures accountability and allows for immediate updates and responses to customer questions or reviews.

Ensure consistency of the NAP

Verify and update vital business information such as business name, address and phone number (NAP) on all listings to avoid confusion among customers and maintain consistency.

Add fresh visual content

Engage your audience by updating your listings with new photos of your business, products or services. A combination of visuals not only makes your listings attractive, but also gives viewers an idea of ​​what they will get from your business.

Keeping your local listings accurate is very important to your business. It helps you attract new customers and build trust with existing ones. So don't wait around – take a look at your listings now and make sure everything is up to date. By doing this, you will avoid problems and get the most out of the opportunities that accurate listings offer.