Google uses automated internet crawlers know as “search-bots” to gather information on your website. It then uses the information gathered to assess the site and ranks it accordingly. For regular SEO, one of the main determinants of rank is links back to your site from other sites on the net. For Local SEO citations are very important for ranking. As of 2011 Mihmorandum ranked the quantity of citations as the 4th most important determinant of ranking in local search (after actual location google places listing and GP category).

Citations are mentions of your business name, address and phone number on other webpages. It does not need to contain a link to your site. The most important thing to remember when collecting citations from third party sources is that the information you submit is identical. Take extra care to make sure that your business name, address and phone number (NAP) are identical accross all directories and other sources.

Citations can be gained from directories, local business listings, local blogs, some social networks. To get you started here is a list of 40 sources of citations for dentists in the UK:

Try and collect citations from as many of these sources as possible and you should see a big improvement in your placing for local dental searches.