What are Listings and Why Do They Matter?

How listings impact your presence online

Listings are an online summary of essential information for your business that serve as a powerful tool to help customers find you online and in real life. Here’s what you need to know:

-NAP+W

No, we didn’t fall asleep on the keyboard. NAP+W is the acronym that explains all the information that should be included in business listings.

N ame
A ddress
P hone number
+
W ebsite

These four pieces of information are the business listings starter-pack. They provide the basic information potential customers need to have in order to research, contact and locate your business.

Want to score some serious bonus points? Include information like hours of operation in business listings— it’s what consumers are most interested in !


Will my listings work?

The effectiveness of a business listing depends on the information’s presence and accuracy. Listings are available through a variety of sources, including search engines, online directories and maps, or social sites. When it comes to listings presence, more is definitely better. Availability on as many sources as possible will create multiple avenues for consumers to find your business. But (and this is a big but), presence only pays off if the listings are accurate. Listings are accurate if the information is correct and consistent across all potential sources. Seems easy enough, doesn't it?


Why are listings important?

Listings with good presence and accuracy will undoubtedly pay off for your business. Here’s how:

No more hide and seek

See the picture above? Just as the brightly lit bat signal guides everyone’s favorite caped crusader (that’s right Superman, we said it!), accurate and readily available listings will help guide consumers right to your business’s door steps.


They even have similar shapes. Coincidence? We think not…

If a business’s listing is incorrect or missing, the majority of consumers will feel less confident about the brand , likely leading them to choose a competitor’s product or service. The availability of accurate listings ensures customers are actually able to find brick and mortar locations while they’re open for business. This means money in the business owner’s pocket and, just as importantly, it means the business can be reviewed.

“In my humble opinion…”

An ample review pipeline is an essential tool for developing a business’ online reputation and fostering brand loyalty. Reviews allow customers to communicate their experience with a business to potential buyers, but if consumers can’t find a business listed online, their opinion of it won’t be well-informed. Accurate listings create the opportunity for transparency between businesses and consumers in the form of reviews, and the availability of this information will help increase a business’s visibility.

All aboard the search engine

Consistent, accurate listings and the generation of reviews will directly benefit a business’s visibility by boosting its ranking in local search engine results. Search engine optimization is a complex tool, so why not take advantage of it by simply ensuring your business is listed accurately! Increased visibility means more customers, and what business owner doesn’t want that?


Now what?

This listings low-down provides a basic definition and describes the benefits of business listings. Create listings on sites worth lots of points to improve your listings score. We’ve ranked them by importance using a lot of key factors—how many sites reference them, traffic, demographics and more.

An illustration of a laptop with a magnifying glass on it
August 7, 2025
Is your VT business falling for SEO myths? Learn why footer stuffing doesn't work & get real 2025 tips to boost your local ranking with NEKO.
A woman is taking a picture of a pair of boots on a laptop
By Blog Owner August 5, 2025
August is the best time to start your holiday marketing. Plan early with NEKO for better sales, smoother campaigns, and less stress this season.
A bunch of leaves are hanging on a string
July 25, 2025
Download our free Fall Marketing Checklist to prep your website, social media, and promotions for the busy season ahead. Simple, actionable steps!
A bunch of shopping bags with snowflakes on them
By Blog Owner July 24, 2025
Don’t wait until November—learn why starting early is the best time to start your holiday marketing strategy!
Multi-screen website design view of Impakt Partners website.
By Blog Owner July 17, 2025
Over halfway through 2025—time to check in on your website. Is it helping you reach your marketing goals? Learn how to improve traffic, engagement, and conversions!
A person is holding a cell phone in front of a wooden table.
By Blog Owner July 16, 2025
TikTok bans, Meta changes, and Threads on the rise—where should your brand show up this summer? Start with a strong website as your anchor.
A bunch of red balloons with the word sale on them
By Blog Owner July 9, 2025
Boost your summer sale or pop-up with a promo page, countdown timer, event schema, and email support. Make your website part of the team!
A person is holding a cell phone with social media icons on the screen
By Blog Owner July 1, 2025
Discover what’s trending on social media in 2025. Plus, explore strategy sessions and content calendar services from Northeast Kingdom Online!
Canned spam emails with Northeast Kingdom Online
June 30, 2025
Learn how we know those "guest post services" emails are spam, how they can hurt your SEO, and what to do instead to build real website credibility.
A person holding up a phone in front of a TV, screensharing to the TV, showing social media posts.
June 24, 2025
Not sure how often to post on social media or your blog? This guide breaks down realistic, consistent content strategies for small business owners who want results—without the burnout.
Show More