When it comes to local lead generation (LLG) sites, a common question arises: Should you use your own phone number when creating unstructured citations? This is important because, in the future, the phone number on the site will be replaced with the client's number. However, the citations will still show the original number. So, would this mismatch cause issues? Would you need to update the citations every time you rent the LLG to a new client?
To tackle this, let's clarify a few things. First off, I don't recommend building branded and supporting assets for LLG sites until you secure a client. Why complicate your life before you have a paying customer? If you do build branded assets and later the client cancels, you’ll face the hassle of rebranding. My approach with LLG sites is straightforward: they're meant to rank organically for specific keywords in a particular local area.
Once you have the site, you can use it as a sales tool to showcase your services to businesses in that area. You can point to it and say, “Look, I’m already outranking you for your own products and services. I can do the same for you.” This is why I advocate using an 800 number. It simplifies things.
Now, many of my LLG sites have unique phone numbers, but I also employ a common 800 number across most of them. This number is associated with my brand, and it minimizes the work required on your part. You don't want to create unnecessary work for yourself down the road.
When I do build branded and supporting assets for a client, I still use generic data. This way, if the client decides to move on, I don’t have to go through the hassle of updating everything. I can create a local number using a service like Twilio, which allows me to replace the 800 number with a dedicated number specific to that LLG site. This number can then forward to the client, but it remains under my control.
Even for tree service contractors, I send calls to a call center. So, even if I build branded assets for a location, I’ll maintain a dedicated phone number that stays with the site. It’s about keeping your contact information on the site while ensuring it can still be forwarded to the client.
In summary, the key is to avoid creating extra work for yourself. Keep things simple and streamlined. This not only saves time but also helps with ranking.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should I use my own phone number for citations on LLG sites?
No, it’s better to use an 800 number or a generic number to avoid mismatches later when you replace it with the client's number.
2. What if a client cancels? Do I need to rebrand?
If you built branded assets for them, yes, you would need to rebrand. That’s why using generic data is advisable.
3. How can I manage phone numbers for multiple clients?
Using services like Twilio allows you to create dedicated local numbers for each LLG site while keeping control over them.
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