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Getting a traffic citation can ruin your day. Whether you were speeding, swerving or parked in a crosswalk, you did something wrong that made you stand out, and you got your reward. In traffic a citation is the result of standing out, but online it is the cause. An online citation draws attention to your business, and the reward is increased web traffic and new clients.
What Is a Citation?
Any time your company is mentioned online, it’s a citation. Think of them as bumper stickers for your business, popping up all over the virtual world. It could be a shout out on Twitter from an enthusiastic fan, a complaint about your service on a lifestyle blog, or even just your phone number listed in an online directory. A single citation won’t do much for you on its own, but you’ll find there is strength in numbers.
Why Do I Want One?
Outside of its implications for SEO, a citation is good because it means that someone somewhere is talking about your company and exposing your name to new potential customers. Ideally, that person is raving about how much they love you. However, even when the citation comes from a negative source, it can have a positive effect. Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines track citations and use them to determine your importance in your industry and geographic area. The more citations you have, the higher you’ll rank in search engine results and the more visible you’ll be to potential customers.
How Can I Get One?
There are many ways to increase your online citations. To get your name out there:
•Donate to a charity that lists sponsors on its website.
•Get listed in local directories and on the websites of any organizations and associations that you are affiliated with.
•Build or join a complimentary business group.
•Maintain a strong presence on social media platforms.
•Reward your online fans when they mention your name.
•List open positions on a number of job boards.
Citations are just one part of a successful online marketing strategy. Exatech offers SEO services that can help you to build your online presence and optimize your rankings.