As a business owner in Jacksonville, you’ve probably heard about “SEO” a hundred times. You may have even been pitched by companies promising to “get you on the first page of Google.” But if you’re like most of the small business owners we talk to, what you really want is simple: you want more people to find your business online and trust what they see.
At MasterBrand Studio, we specialize in helping local businesses show up, stand out, and grow online—and one of the best ways to do that is through a foundational SEO strategy built on listings, citations, and press releases.
In this article, we’ll break each of those down, using real data and plain language to help you understand why they matter—and how they work together to grow your visibility. These aren’t bells and whistles. They’re the basics every Jacksonville business should have in place.
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What Are Listings, and Why Do They Matter for Your Business?
A business listing is your digital storefront across platforms like Google, Yelp, Bing, and Facebook.
Think of it as your online contact card. A listing includes your:
- Business name
- Address
- Phone number
- Website
- Hours
- Photos
- Reviews
The most important listing of all is your Google Business Profile—which powers the map results when someone searches “ice cream near me” or “Jacksonville plumber.”
If your listing is incomplete, inaccurate, or unclaimed, Google is far less likely to show you. Worse, potential customers might find the wrong info and move on.
Stats that matter:
- 94% of consumers use online business directories like Google or Yelp to find local businesses. https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey/
- Customers are 2.7x more likely to consider a business reputable if it has a complete Google Business Profile. https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/consumer-trends/local-search-business/
- They’re also 70% more likely to visit that business. https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/consumer-trends/local-search-business/
If your listing is solid and consistent across platforms, you show up more often, get more clicks, and build more trust.
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What Are Citations, and How Do They Boost Search Rankings?
A citation is any online mention of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP), even if it doesn’t link to your site.
Citations help validate that your business is real and located where you say it is. They appear on:
- Online directories (YellowPages.com, MapQuest, Superpages, etc.)
- Industry-specific sites (Avvo, Healthgrades, Houzz)
- Local organizations (Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, local business groups)
- Review platforms
The more consistent your business information is across these platforms, the more confidence Google has in showing your business to local searchers.
Stats that matter:
- Businesses with accurate citations are far more likely to rank higher in local search results. https://moz.com/local-search-ranking-factors
- 80% of consumers lose trust in a business if they find inconsistent contact information online. https://www.yext.com/resources/research/the-new-digital-consumer
- 63% of consumers say incorrect listing info would prevent them from using a business. https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-business-listings-statistics/
Citations and listings work together—Google cross-checks the two to verify legitimacy. When your info is the same on every platform, it sends a strong signal that your business is legitimate, established, and trustworthy.
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What Is a Press Release, and How Can It Help My SEO?
A press release is a news-style article announcing something important about your business—and distributing it online for coverage.
Great uses for press releases include:
- Launching a new service
- Opening a second location
- Hosting a community event
- Winning an award or hitting a milestone
Press releases aren’t just about getting in the news—they’re about creating high-authority mentions of your business across dozens (sometimes hundreds) of news websites. This generates:
- Traffic to your site
- Backlinks (which boost SEO)
- Unstructured citations (mentions of your business online)
- Brand authority and credibility
Stats that matter:
- One well-written press release can increase web traffic by up to 220%. https://www.cision.com/resources/tip-sheets/5-benefits-of-press-releases/
- 68% of journalists say press releases are their most trusted source for story ideas. https://www.cision.com/resources/tip-sheets/state-of-the-media/
- Brands mentioned in news sources are 1.6x more trusted by consumers. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160201005974/en/
A well-timed, well-distributed press release can do more than a social media post or Google Ad—because it builds long-lasting visibility and trust.
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Why Do Listings, Citations, and Press Releases Work Best Together?
Each of these tools is powerful on its own—but when used together, they multiply your results. Here’s how:
- Listings make sure people find you when they search
- Citations help you rank higher by proving your legitimacy
- Press releases generate buzz, authority, and backlinks
All three work to create what we call SEO synergy—a state where your business shows up more often, gets chosen more frequently, and builds long-term search strength.
Here’s a real-world analogy:
- Listings are like street signs that help people find your business.
- Citations are like recommendations from neighbors who say “Yep, that business is right there and they do great work.”
- Press releases are like getting featured on the evening news—now everyone knows your name, and they trust what they hear.
Without listings, no one finds you. Without citations, Google doesn’t trust you. Without press releases, no one’s talking about you. But when you have all three? You’re in the spotlight, and people are lining up.
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Why Is Consistency So Important Across Listings and Citations?
This can’t be overstated: inconsistency kills trust.
When your business is called “Dave’s AC & Heat” on Google, “Dave’s Heating and Cooling” on Yelp, and “Daves Heating + Air” on Facebook—Google gets confused. More importantly, your customers get confused.
Even a minor inconsistency—like “123 Main St.” vs. “123 Main Street”—can undermine your rankings.
Stats that matter:
- 91% of consumers trust a business more when they see consistent info across all platforms. https://www.yext.com/resources/research/the-new-digital-consumer
- Businesses with consistent online listings earn significantly more clicks and phone calls. https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-business-listings-statistics/
It’s not about perfection. It’s about professionalism. A consistent presence shows you care—and that makes customers more likely to choose you.
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Can I Create Business Citations and Listings Myself?
In theory, yes. In practice, you shouldn’t—and here’s why.
- You’d need to research and manually update dozens of directories
- You’d have to write a proper press release, in the right format and tone
- You’d need access to trusted press release distribution partners
- You’d be responsible for maintaining consistency across platforms, ongoing
This work is technical, time-consuming, and high-stakes. Doing it halfway is worse than not doing it at all.
That’s why Jacksonville business owners trust MasterBrand Studio to manage this process for them. We specialize in:
- Running a full audit of your business’s online presence
- Fixing and optimizing your listings and citations
- Writing and distributing professional press releases
- Tracking your visibility improvements over time
We’re not a giant, faceless SEO agency. We’re local. We’re invested. And we believe in helping small businesses build strong, sustainable online visibility the right way.
How Do I Get Started With Business Listings and Citations for SEO?
If you’ve read this far, you already know your business deserves better visibility—and that listings, citations, and press releases are the foundation.
Here’s your next step:
Let MasterBrand Studio run a local SEO audit. We’ll check your listings, citations, and search visibility—then give you a customized plan to fix, optimize, and amplify your online presence.
And yes—we’ll do the heavy lifting.
You focus on running your business. We’ll make sure people can find it.
→ Contact MasterBrand Studio ←
Are you ready to be found, trusted, and chosen online? Contact MasterBrand Studio today at (904) 605-1611 to set up your custom SEO audit and local authority boost.
We’ll take care of the listings, citations, and press releases—so your business can show up and shine online!