Why small inconsistencies matter.
THE PRINCIPLE
Your business name, address and phone number should appear identically everywhere: your website, your business profile, directories, social media, and anywhere else you are listed.
WHY
Search engines use consistency as a signal of legitimacy. Conflicting information creates uncertainty about which is correct.
WHAT COUNTS AS INCONSISTENT
Different phone number formats Abbreviated versus full street names An old address still listed somewhere Slight variations in the business name Different opening hours in different places
WHERE TO CHECK
Your own website, in the footer and contact page Your business profile Social media profiles Any directory you have been listed in Old listings you have forgotten about
FIXING IT
Decide the canonical form of your details, then update everywhere. Old listings you cannot edit can usually be claimed or reported.
WHEN YOU MOVE OR CHANGE NUMBER
Update everything, not just the website. Customers finding an old number is a lost enquiry.
ON YOUR SITE
Include your full details in the footer of every page.
