Citation Setup Procedure

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Last Edited: 2026-06-29 11:05

Step-by-step guide for manual citation building and profile claims across top-tier business directories.

Manually establish and claim consistent, optimized business listings (NAP: Name, Address, Phone) to build off-page authority and map prominence.

Search for the client's business name on the BBB directory to check for an existing profile.
If no listing exists, click the For Businesses link in the top right.
Click the Get Listed link in the center box.
Input the official business details and submit the application.

Search the Yelp directory to check for auto-generated listings.
If the listing exists, check if it has been claimed. If claimed by the owner, skip this step.
If unclaimed, click Yelp for Business in the header.
Select Claim your business for free or Add a Business from the dropdown.
Search the name, verify the phone number, and complete the claiming flow.

Click Join as a pro in the top right corner.
Select the primary service category and geographic location.
Click Sign up for free.
De-select any irrelevant sub-services the client does not perform.
Verify the account phone number (use an editor phone number initially, then update to the client's number in settings).
Save and verify the service area boundaries.

Click Join as a pro in the top right corner.
Click Sign up in the middle of the page.
Create an account with the client's SEO email address.
Select Contractor and set the industry category (e.g. Heating & Cooling Sales & Repair).
Choose Client project(s) and Advertising as features of interest.
Set revenue to Prefer not to say and next project start to Unsure / No plan.
Enter contact details, uncheck "enable text messages", and save.
Customize service areas and verify categories.

Click Join our pro network in the top right corner.
Click the yellow Sign up now button.
Input company details and trigger the validation email.
Complete validation, return to Porch, and click Create My Profile.
Input the business description, service areas (circle radius or custom towns), and select the basic free plan (skip the vetted pro upsell).
Accept terms and publish.

Go to the target local Chamber directory (e.g., North Chicago Chamber of Commerce).
Under the Business Directory dropdown, click Claim My Business or Add Listing.
Submit the business profile information.

Click Contractor sign up in the top right.
Enter the business name and ZIP code.
Click Claim this business if it appears. Otherwise, click Add your business to BuildZoom.
Enter email, select contractor type, and select residential/commercial scope.
Set minimum project size to No minimum.
Verify address and set service area radius (e.g. 10 miles).
Check target project types (HVAC, plumbing, electrical).
Enter website URL and Facebook link. Accept the referral fee agreement (free listing, fees only apply on direct connections).
Create password and save.

Ensure you are logged into an individual staff LinkedIn account (LinkedIn company pages must be created by a personal profile).
On the LinkedIn homepage, click the Work grid icon in the top right.
Scroll to the bottom of the drawer and select Create a Company Page.
Complete company details (Company size, industry, website, logo) and publish.

Go to the ACHR directory. Under the menu, select Directory > List/update your company.
Select Consultant / Service and click Sign up.
Complete profile fields.
Set security question: What month were you born? -> Answer: January.
Save the profile (completing setup; full priority listing requires premium payment).

NAP Consistency: Ensure the Name, Address, and Phone number are formatted identically across all platforms (e.g. do not mix "St." and "Street" across profiles).
Listing Verification: Maintain an excel sheet tracking which logins are verified, pending email links, or require client phone calls for PIN verification.