Let’s start with a definition of NAP…

Simply put, this acronym stands for Name, Address and Phone number which are the three most important defining pieces of information about a practice. Your own practice’s NAP will be found in many places across the internet:

• Your website
• Your Google My Business Page
• Your Facebook Business Profile
• Other social profiles
• In online directories such as the Yellow Pages and StartLocal
• Possibly on websites of businesses you are associated with in some way (through sponsorship, volunteer work, media stories)

Why Is NAP So Important?

Obviously this information is important as it allows prospective new patients to find and make contact with you.

But NAP has another very important function: it provides Google with trusted, third-party signals that demonstrate that your practice is a real business. While you obviously have full control over the information you put on your website and social profiles, you don’t control the directories, some of which have strict verification processes to ensure your information is from a bona fide business. Your NAP information (also called a ‘Citation’) should therefore be listed in as many relevant and trusted business and professional directories as possible as part of your marketing strategy. [Read more…]