An essential guide to Local Listings Management. Learn why keeping your business information accurate across dozens of online directories is critical for SEO and how to manage it all from within Aloha.
✨ When You Need This Guide
This guide is for you when you want to improve your practice's visibility in local search results. Use this if:
You want to improve your ranking on a wide range of online directories and mapping services.
You need to understand what "Local Listings Management" is and why it's important for attracting new patients.
You're looking for where to update your core business information (name, address, phone, hours) so it syncs across the web.
How It Works: Building Credibility for Google
Think of Local Listings Management as the modern-day Yellow Pages, but for the entire internet. It's the process of updating your core business information (name, address, phone number, hours) in one central place (Aloha) and having it sync across dozens of online directories and mapping services.
While this feature does not directly update your Google Business Profile, it is critical for your Google ranking. Search engines like Google determine your credibility by checking for consistent, accurate information across many different websites. By ensuring your practice data is correct everywhere, you build trust with Google, which leads to a higher ranking in local search results.
What This Covers (And What It Doesn't)
✅ This article explains what Local Listings Management is and how to configure your profile in Aloha to optimize your listings on a wide network of online directories.
❌ This feature does not directly update your business profiles on Google Business or Facebook. You will want to update these separately. It focuses on syncing your data to the broader network of online directories to strengthen your overall digital footprint.
✅ Why Listings Management is Crucial for Your Practice
Consistently managing your online listings from a central hub provides powerful benefits.
Improve Visibility: Being listed accurately on more sites means more chances for patients to find you.
Increase Traffic: Accurate and complete listings build trust and lead to more website clicks and physical foot traffic to your office.
Save Time: Update your information once in Aloha and let it sync everywhere, instead of trying to log into dozens of different sites individually.
Boost Your SEO: Search engines reward businesses that have consistent, accurate information across the web with higher rankings.
✅ How to Optimize Your Listings Profile in Aloha
To get started, navigate to Local > Settings in your Aloha account. This is the central place where you will enter and manage the information that syncs to all your online listings. Ensure these critical fields are filled out completely and accurately:
Key Data Fields
Field Name | Best Practice & Example |
NPI | Enter the 10-digit National Provider Identity number. This is required for professional listings. |
Listing Name | Use the Clinic Name listed on your Google Business Profile. |
Address | Must include a street number. Address 2 is optional for suites or apartment numbers. Ex: 123 Main Street |
Main Phone | The main 10-digit phone number for the location. |
Local Phone | A local 10-digit phone number is required for matching purposes if the Main Phone is a toll-free or tracking number. |
Website URL | Provide the direct link to your website or the provider's specific page. |
Featured Message | Write a short (50-char max) call to action. Ex: "Schedule An Appointment Today!" |
Business Description | A paragraph describing your practice. You can often use the description from your Google Business Profile. |
Hours | Enter your weekly operating hours. Use "Closed" for days you aren't open. |
Payment Methods | List accepted payments, separated by commas. Ex: American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Cash |
Languages | List all languages spoken at your location, separated by commas. Ex: English, Spanish |
Optimizing for Local Search
These fields are crucial for helping new patients find you when they search for specific services online.
Categories: Choose the most accurate Primary Category for your main service (e.g., "Health & Medicine > Medical Specialties > Chiropractor"). Then, add up to nine Additional Categories to describe other important facets of your business.
Keywords: Think like a patient. What terms would they search for to find you? Use specific keywords like Sports Chiropractor, Walk-In Dentist, or Pediatric Eye Exam.
Important: Do not use phrases like "...Near Me." Instead of "Chiropractor Near Me," simply use "Chiropractor" or "Chiropractic Care in [Your City]".
Conditions Treated: List the common conditions you treat, creating a new entry for each one. Ex: Knee Pain, Arthritis, Blurred Vision.
Procedures Performed: List the specific procedures you offer. Ex: Chiropractic Adjustments, Dental Surgery, Eye Exams.
💡 Common Questions
What You Might Notice | Why It's Happening | What to Do |
I updated my hours in Aloha, but they look wrong on a specific directory. | There can be a sync delay, or the directory in question may not be one Aloha manages. | First, verify that the directory is one managed by Aloha. Go to Local > Listings to see the complete list. If the site is on this list with a Live, you can click View to check the live listing, but please allow 24-72 hours for changes to sync. If the site is not on this list, you will need to update your information manually by logging into that specific directory's website. |
I'm not sure what keywords to use. | It can be tricky to get inside a potential patient's head. | Think about what makes your practice unique or what you are well known for. Do you offer emergency appointments? Specialize in a certain technique? Accept a specific type of insurance? Use those as keywords. |
A directory changed my doctor's listing name. | Some online directories have their own formatting rules and may automatically change a listing name to match their guidelines (e.g., removing the clinic name).
| Following our recommended "Office Name" format gives you the best chance of acceptance. If a publisher changes it, it's often due to their own policies. Your core information (name, address, phone) will still be correct. |
🎉 You'll Know It's Working When:
When you search for your practice, you see accurate and consistent information appearing across various online directories.
You notice an improvement in your local search rankings over time for your specific keywords.
💬 Need Help? We're Here!
If you have other questions about optimizing your online listings, our support team is ready to help. Contact us at 800-563-0469 or support@getaloha.com.