Chapter 6: NAP Consistency – Name, Address, Phone Number Best Practices

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📌 6.1 What is NAP Consistency?

NAP Consistency means your Name, Address, and Phone number are identical across all platforms. Even small differences like “Suite 204” vs “#204” or “0812 345 6789” vs “+234-812-345-6789” create conflicts that confuse Google and reduce trust.

🔑 6.2 Why NAP Consistency Matters for Local SEO

• Google’s Trust Factor: Conflicting data lowers rankings.
• User Experience: Wrong addresses or phone numbers drive customers away.
• Map Pack Rankings: Consistency boosts visibility in the top 3 results.
• Voice Search: Devices like Siri/Alexa rely on accurate NAP.

🌍 6.3 Where Your NAP Appears

• Google Business Profile
• Your Website (Contact Page, Footer, Schema)
• Directories (Yelp, Bing Places, Yellow Pages, Facebook)
• Local Chambers of Commerce
• Industry-specific sites (TripAdvisor, ZocDoc, etc.)
• Press Releases and Local News

✅ 6.4 Best Practices for NAP Consistency

• Standardize your format (decide once, use everywhere).
• Match your Google Business Profile — use it as your source of truth.
• Use local numbers with area codes (e.g., Abuja businesses use +234-9).
• Add NAP to your website (footer, contact page, schema markup).
• Audit and fix directories regularly (Moz Local, BrightLocal, Yext).

🛠️ 6.5 Tools for Managing NAP Consistency

Automate and scale your citation management with tools like:

• Moz Local
• BrightLocal
• Yext
• Whitespark

⚠️ 6.6 Common NAP Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Inconsistent tracking phone numbers.
• ❌ Forgetting to update old addresses after moving.
• ❌ Multiple listings for one location.
• ❌ Different names on social media vs directories.
• ❌ Not fixing duplicates.

📋 6.7 Action Checklist

• Set a standard NAP format.
• Update your GBP first.
• Match your website details with GBP.
• Audit online directories regularly.
• Use local phone numbers.
• Keep NAP consistent across all platforms.