You have finally found your new premises, or you have just changed your phone operator for a professional line. This is excellent news for your business.
In the list of all the things to do, you have thought about changing your sign, your business cards, and your invoices.
But have you thought about modifying your traces on the Internet?
If you forget this step, you risk seeing your visibility on Google collapse. Here is why and how to avoid the disaster.
🥇 The Golden Rule of Google: Trust
Google's goal is to recommend reliable businesses to its users.
If Google finds:
- Address A on your Google Business Profile.
- Address B on your Facebook page (forgotten for 3 years).
- Address C on an online directory (Yellow Pages or other).
What will it think? It will doubt.
It doesn't know which is the right address. And in doubt, it no longer recommends you. It will prefer to highlight your competitor whose information is perfectly identical everywhere.
This is what we call information consistency (Name, Address, Phone), it is one of the 5 pillars of local SEO. It is a fundamental criterion for your visibility on Google.
Concrete Example
Julien, a plumber, moved his workshop to a neighboring town. He updated his Google profile immediately.
But he forgot to change his address on Yellow Pages and on his own website (in the footer).
Result: For 3 months, Google found two contradictory addresses. Losing trust, the algorithm dropped Julien from 3rd to 12th position on "Plumber Dallas". Julien lost 30% of calls before understanding his mistake.
📝 The Checklist for a Successful Digital Move
To avoid Julien's mishap, here are the 4 places to check absolutely as soon as you change your contact details (name, address, or phone).
1. Your Google Business Profile
It is the absolute priority for your local visibility. Update the address from day one. Be careful, Google may ask for a new validation by mail or video to prove that you are indeed settled at this new address.
2. Your Website
It must also, of course, display your new address. Be careful to change it everywhere, on all pages, but also in the computer code of the site, because it can be indicated there:
- The "Contact" page.
- The footer that appears on all pages.
- The legal notices.
- The Google Maps code if you display a map.
- The Schema.org code.
3. Your Social Media
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn... We often forget the "About" section of these pages once they are created. Go check, it is an important source of information for Google.
4. Directories (The Forgotten Ones!)
They are often the ones we forget, yet it is vital to align your information everywhere. You are probably registered on sites like Yellow Pages, Yelp, or important local sites for your SEO (city hall website, merchant associations).
Do a Google search with your old number or your old address in quotes.
Example: "12 Flower Street" "My Business" (with quotes around your address and your name)
Why does it work? Quotes force Google to search for the exact expression. By separating the address and the name with a space, you ask Google to find the pages where these two precise elements appear together.
You will immediately see the sites that still display your old information come up. Log in to these sites and update your contact details. Contact them to correct if you cannot do it yourself.
✅ Conclusion: Be Rigorous with Your Contact Info
In summary, Google is a demanding robot. It needs to see the same information everywhere to trust you.
- Same name (avoid variants).
- Same address.
- Same phone.
It is a bit of a tedious cleaning job, but it is key for your local SEO.
🔎 Need a Status Report?
Do you want to be sure that your visibility has not suffered damage after your change of address or number?
With Begonia.pro, we scan your online presence and audit your visibility. We also offer a personalized action plan to improve your visibility.
