Citations, mentions, and SEO explained by Sara, owner of Trusted Saskatoon. 

There are many benefits to being a Trusted Saskatoon partner. My local team spends all of our time and energy promoting the Saskatoon partners on the directory as the best options in their industry in Saskatoon and the surrounding area. Once a business passes our unique verification process we invest in consistent advertising and we promote them both individually, and as a community as trustworthy, reputable locally owned, and accountable businesses. We do not do this because they ' bought our favour', we do it because they have proven themselves to be trusted.  Each of the businesses listed on Trusted Saskatoon has signed a contract where they agree to uphold the 5 Trusted Guarantees of Service. 

There is a lot of work and effort that goes on behind the scenes that may not be immediately obvious or understood by our Partners. In this article, I explain how my team helps our partner's websites rank higher in local search independently of their listings on our Saskatoon directory.

The SEO Impact Being Trusted Has On Our Partners Local Search Rankings

The key to being found online is having correct, consistent information online. That combined with fresh\new, relevant content on sites that are both yours and NOT yours, is what the internet and search engines really value!   
This is where local SEO citations and mentions on high-quality local directories such as Trusted Saskatoon, on social media, and other trustworthy websites and sources come into play.

What are citations and how do they impact local SEO?

Citations are online mentions of your business on 3rd party websites. If your business is listed on Trustedaskatoon.com, that counts as a local citation. The same goes if your business information is mentioned or featured on 3rd party blog posts or online newspaper/media articles- such as the Star Phoenix new faces new places for example. Citations and online mentions are important for local businesses online since they send out signals that tell Google and the other major search engines they can trust your Saskatoon business.

Why do we recommend focusing on citation building?

We all want to be on the 1st page of Google for our category in our local market for our main target search keywords. If your website ranks higher in search, then it should attract more visitors, generate leads and that should lead to more business. 

To be well ranked in local searches, you need to make sure the search engines have all of the correct information they need about your business. If your most important data is not consistent, the search engines are less likely to put your website forward as a high-ranking option for local prospects searching for your products and/or servcies. 

How The Local Search SEO Point System Works

Google is essentially the head librarian of the web, and as there are over 570,000 new websites added per DAY to the internet it’s a HUGE job! As such, Google has lots of 24/7 ‘library assistants’ helping with the massive and ongoing task of ranking the approximate 1.7 billion websites currently listed on the world wide web. If these assistants, or ‘web crawlers’, find links on 3rd party websites that link back to your business’s website, then they know it is trustworthy and you will earn an SEO point. If that backlink is on a quality local website, like www.trustedsaskatoon.com, then you are awarded additional, highly valued local SEO ‘points’. The same is true for citations; if web crawlers find your business information listed in important online directories, mentioned on other people's blogs, and featured in articles / local news, it solidifies the fact that they can trust your business information to be correct.

Citation building is a small but important piece of the local search marketing puzzle. Our team is working on our clients' behalf to ensure the information we have about them on Trusted Saskatoon is up to date and relevant.

Check out the video below for more information, and if you have questions please do reach out to our team!  

What’s the difference between online citations and online mentions? 

An online mention is when a business or brand is referenced, or "mentioned" on the internet. While often referring exclusively to social media mentions, they also count every time an online publication, website or blog ‘ mentions’  a brand or business name. If the mentions are combined with backlinks to your website and over 300 words of rich locally-focused content all the better.  By rich, we mean that the content includes elements such as quality, copyright-free images, relevant keywords, embedded videos, location-specific words, etc. If that is the case, then the value of that mention increases A LOT! This is why we ask our Partners to work with us to provide information about their specific business/ industry. We take that information and write quality Trusted Saskatoon Tips that feature them as the local experts in their industry!  

When we tag our Partners on our Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter platforms the search engines and the web crawlers take note, this, in turn, adds additional SEO POINTS and improves their website’s organic search value. Their business and websites gain more ‘authority' within their respective industry categories in local search. Positive SEO leads to increased visibility, which can then prompt more mentions and further increased SEO points. Less is definitely NOT more when it comes to citations, mentions, and links to websites.

If Partners want to make the most of our expertise, promotions, and online klout, then they need to provide us with more information in the form of interesting, helpful and engaging expert tips about their industry. Our team will do the rest, we know how to take the content and get as many ‘ SEO points ‘ as possible. We then pay to promote that content locally so it reaches your ideal prospects. The more we can help our clients build a solid citation and link-building foundation the better they rank in local searches for their categories.  Our goal is that our Trusted Saskatoon Partners get their unfair share of leads in their categories locally online! 

About Trusted Sara

The founder of Trusted Saskatoon, Sara Wheelwright has over 25 years of marketing experience. A multi-award-winning entrepreneur and marketer, she expanded Trusted’s services by launching a full-service Saskatchewan digital marketing agency, Trusted Marketing Services in 2014. The success of Trusted is a testament to the importance of having business integrity in a digital age, where access to free-flowing information is constantly influencing consumers. Her experiences and insight are relevant to all business owners interested in progressive marketing strategies. Her biggest strength is being able to communicate the complexities of online marketing and how the internet works to local business owners in a way that they can fully comprehend. This, in turn, empowers them and helps them compete in this new marketing landscape.

As an award-winning SASKATOON REAL Estate agent, Marla Janzen knows the city and surrounding area extremely well. She strives to find her clients the perfect new place to live while negotiating the best terms and price possible. She has a keen eye for house layout and home staging, which really benefits her clients, most of whom are past client referrals! In her latest Saskatoon real estate tip, Marla shares tips on how to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. 

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR FALL FEELS

Fall has a certain air to it, don’t you think? As the seasons change, it’s time to get your house ready for the coming rain, snow, and ice. The best way to avoid problems later in the season is to plan ahead and do some simple house maintenance as early as now. By doing this, you’ll be free to take advantage of everything the autumn season has to offer. To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of practical things to do on your own. However, hiring a professional to do it for you will be more cost-effective in the long run, saving you both time and money.

Here are some helpful tips to help you prepare your house for the colder months ahead.

1. Check the roof for leaks

From the ground, you should be able to get a good look at it. Consider using a pair of binoculars or scaling a nearby structure for a better vantage point if you’re up for the challenge. Look for shingles that are loose, broken, or missing. The removal of leaves and other debris can be necessary if your roof is flat.

2. Make sure your gutters are clear

It’s critical to maintain the smooth flow of your roof’s drainage system, which annually diverts tens of thousands of gallons of water from the exterior and foundation walls of your residence. Clogged gutters can result in water damage to your home’s exterior and a flooded basement. They rust and corrode more quickly. Remove all debris from your gutters and cover them with mesh gutter guards before the leaves start falling this season.

3. Remove leaves and check the trees in your area

4. Replace window and door screens

Strengthen the windows and doors of your home. Having storm windows and doors would be best as replacements for your screens. All doors and windows should have caulk and seals checked.

5. Pool closeout

Schedule a pool closing service if you have a pool and live in a cold climate. If you are capable, you can buy the supplies and close your pool yourself if you know how to do this task.

6. Garage clean up

Organizing your garage or shed for fall and winter is a terrific time to search through your supplies. Don’t wait for snow trouble before you find that snow shovel of yours. If you live in an area with erratic weather, be sure your snowblower is serviced and ready to go.

7. Manage the shed

Most often than not, we have summer items filing up our storage. It’s an excellent time to organize and clean up your shed now by rearranging and putting all summer items at the back and winter products in the front to make it easier to get the things you’d need in the colder seasons. Be sure to get rid of everything that could freeze, as well. Restore and store outdoor furniture that has been left unused over the winter. Clean the cushions by removing them and washing them—store furniture in a dry spot throughout the winter after cleaning and drying it.

8. Make a bundle of firewood a priority

With fireplaces in mind, it’s time to start accumulating firewood. You’ll be happy you did it when the cold weather arrives. Use dried and ready-to-use firewood if you’ve collected it yourself. Covering and storing firewood away from the home is the safest option. Outside, construct a firewood rack and a carrier for moving the wood inside. Make sure you have enough wood on hand for the entire season.

9. Take care of the fireplace and the chimney

The colder months would surely make you and your family spend more time together, lounging in front of the fireplace. Ensure that the fireplace and chimney are both working properly before using the fireplace. It’s highly recommended that you have a professional chimney sweep and inspection if you frequently use your wood fireplace. To avoid chimney fires, schedule a chimney cleaning appointment right away.

10. Make sure that the furnace and boiler are working properly

You should check your furnace or boiler in the fall to make sure it’s ready for the cold weather. A furnace’s filters should be changed on a regular basis throughout the fall and winter. Have it inspected if necessary,  by doing so, you’ll be saving money on your utility bills and have extra for shopping, maybe?

11. Turn off all faucets and put hoses away in a dry place

Disconnect outside spigots and drain garden hoses. Turn off external faucets and, if your house is older, the valve inside. Shut everything down. Keep hoses out of the freezer by storing them in a dry location. Follow the manufacturer’s protocol for draining and safeguarding an in-ground irrigation system from winter damage to freezeproof it.

All faucets that leave your home should have an internal shut-off valve. If the interior shut-off valve has a drain stopper, open it while the outside faucet is still turned on. The drain plug on the shut-off valve should be closed and then turn the outdoor faucet back to the off position once all of the water has been completely drained from the line. If you don’t have shut-off valves or can’t find them, hire a certified plumber to install them.

Blowout sprinkler lines and irrigation system. At this time, your irrigation system may need to be drained and checked. Repairs should be performed by a professional, and sprinkler heads near snow removal zones should be marked. By doing this, you’ll have peace of mind during the freezing season.

12. Check the condition of your furnace

It would be best if you had a professional inspect your heating system once a year. Think about doing this task before winter sets in so you don’t have to rush. And while you are at it, include your furnace on the checklist too. Hire an HVAC professional to check for leaks, evaluate the heating efficiency, and change the filter. They can also check for carbon monoxide for air safety. Also, keep spare air filters on hand and swap them out regularly.

13. Clean humidifiers

During the months when it’s operating, maintaining your central humidifier will make you and your house more pleasant. To begin, look over the plates or pads and, if necessary, give them a good cleaning with a strong solution of laundry detergent. Use a wire brush or steel wool to remove mineral deposits after rinsing the area well and drying. Replace any worn-out filters and give the compartment a thorough cleaning. Vinegar is a low-cost and effective solution. Just a trivia, did you know that dry winter air makes fine wood more susceptible to cracking? So much so that dry winter air can also cause harm or irritation on our skin.

14. Make time for carpet care

Cleaning your carpets is best done in the fall. This season is the most fantastic time to open windows and let fresh air in to help with drying. If you don’t know how to operate a carpet cleaning machine, hire a pro to do it for you.

15. Comfy clean bedding

Get your down and cotton comforters, linens, and knits out of the closet and give them a good cleaning. After a thorough wash, place your blankets in a handy closet so that they’re ready to go when the frigid nights arrive.

There you have it—my practical guide to prepping your home for fall. Make sure your house is ready for the next autumn season by being smart and practical. Preventative maintenance now will save you money on costly emergency repairs and other expenditures in the long run. Maintaining your house well not only increases its worth and appeal but also saves you time and energy. 

Is there something you need help with around the house or are you planning to sell or buy a new home for the winter? Contact award-winning SASKATOON REAL Estate agent Marla Janzen today for a free consultation! 

• See Marla Janzen's Saskatoon and Warman Real Estate Listings Here
• For more testimonials and reviews about Marla Janzen click here
• Free Market Analysis
• Read More Of Marlas Client Review on Rate My Agent Here 

Marla guarantees to provide you with a stress-free, hassle-free, wonderful experience and we are sure once you have met her that you will not contact anyone else!

Marla Janzen is a TRUSTED SASKATOON REALTOR®

JOB Heating & Air Conditioning Saskatoon is eager to provide the best possible customer experience. Their aim is to be a professional resource for our clients before, during, and after the sale! Their team takes pride in service knowledge of modern equipment and training. They are recognized by peers and offer sales, service, training & installations for residential, and commercial Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing systems in Saskatoon and area. In their latest article, they discuss tips to keep your furnace from triggering your allergies this fall. 

Tips to Keep Your Furnace From Triggering Your Fall Allergies

Though furnaces do not cause allergies, they can be a culprit for making them worse. When summer ends and you switch your heat on for the first time, all the dust and allergens that have built up in heating ducts end up traveling through the ventilation. This impacts air quality in the household. In keeping allergies away, good air quality is key. Here are a few tips to keep your furnace from triggering your fall allergies.

1. Replace Your Furnace Air Filter

HVAC filters are designed to collect allergens. In order to do their job properly, they need to be replaced regularly. A clean filter is more effective at catching allergens and will improve the overall efficiency of your furnace system. Replacing your HVAC filter regularly is one of the best ways to reduce allergies and ensure everyone in your household can breathe easily.

2. Clean Your Air Ducts 

Like HVAC filters, allergens collect over time in air ducts. Air duct cleanings are the best way to ensure these allergens are not spread throughout your home. Investing in air duct cleaning on a regular basis will help ensure good air quality so allergies do not become worse. 

3. Routine Furnace Maintainance Reduces Fall Allergies

Routine furnace maintenance is a key step to ensuring your household’s air quality is up to standard. Before switching on your heat for the first time, it is beneficial to have a maintenance inspection to solidify that your filters and air ducts are clean and that your furnace is in good working condition for the colder months. Ensuring your household’s furnace is properly maintained is a great way to prevent low air quality and help keep allergies at bay.

These are just a few tips to keep your furnace from triggering your allergies this fall. If you need any assistance with your furnace or home heating equipment, do not hesitate to contact our team at JOB Heating & Air Conditioning.

JOB Heating & Air Conditioning are Trusted Saskatoon furnace experts. They show up on time, deliver on budget, and leave the work area cleaner than when they arrived! They take pride in their work in this city and surrounding area, so nothing means more to us than testimonials from their clients as their preferred plumber in Saskatoon.

‘Your Comfort is Our Concern!’

JOB Heating & Air Conditioning Are Trusted Saskatoon Furnace Pros 

TRUSTED SASKATOON RECOGNIZES OUR 10 YEAR PARTNERS!

In this series of articles, we are shining a spotlight on the businesses that have been with us since we launched in 2011. We want to thank them for TRUSTING our team, and we are recognizing each of them individually for providing 10 years of OUTSTANDING service to the public of Saskatoon and surrounding areas! In this article, we celebrate and recognize Laddie, Shelley and their amazing team at Hairstyle Inn Salon.

We are pleased to celebrate Hairstyle Inn Salons who have been TRUSTED Saskatoon Salon partners for over 10 years!

Right from the start Laddie and Shelley James believed in our idea and they believed that together we could make a difference! Hairstyle Inn Salons are a fun, fresh & locally owned; well-known salon group with TWO Saskatoon locations. Hairstyle Inn at the Centre Mall and Hairstyle Inn at The Lawson Mall. Their wonderful creative team makes up one of Saskatchewan's premier cut, colour and design salon groups, established by the James family in 1976 when Laddie’s father opened up their first location.

Laddie has an impressive reputation within the salon industry worldwide, and he has been invited as an expert to perform and speak at major industry events and fashion shows from New York to Amsterdam! Hairstyle Inn Salons are in an industry that is notorious for the turnover of staff, but they buck the trend. They have many long-standing team members, including Katherine, who has been a stylist at the Centre Mall location for 35 years! This really showcases what sets them apart, the wonderful, caring and supportive environment that has been built and nurtured there over the years. They have a huge heart and it is OBVIOUS to anyone that steps inside their salons.

It’s easy to see why Hairstyle Inn Salons have such a great, long-standing history in Saskatoon and so many satisfied clients... me included! Every time I walk up to the counter I’m always greeted with a smile no matter who sees me first. I’ve been lucky enough to have my hair done by a few of their talented stylists and each and every time they are professional, friendly, and really take their time to get to know me personally. At either HSI location, it really is a place where everyone knows your name... or at least that’s how I feel! I’ve been to other salons around the city for many years and Hairstyle Inn Salons are by far the best around, and I’ll continue to go there and rave to others about their amazing team and outstanding service!

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IS THE FOUNDATION OF HSI

The team at Hairstyle Inn Salons also gives back to our community in a huge way. They always step up to donate items and time, including volunteering at The Persephone Theatre, C95 Radio marathon, and last but certainly not least, the non-profit that Shelley James founded in 2006 - TLC@HOME. TLC@Home stands for Touching The Lives Of Children at Home. They provide a Christmas shoebox full of gifts for children at several participating inner-city schools in Saskatoon. They started with a few classes in one school and have continued to grow the number of children we reach each year. Their goal is to reach every child in each of the community city schools in Saskatoon. 

"The Trusted team has been actively involved in fundraising and donating our time to this great initiative. We treasure the days over the years that our team has been invited along to distribute gifts directly to children in the schools. I am so grateful to have Laddie, Shel and the team as part of my business and part of my life. " - Sara Wheelwright, Trusted Founder

 

Our involvement with  TLC@Home sparked the idea to launch a non-profit category on Trusted Saskatoon to further support 4 local non-profits and the Trusted team is proud to support TLC@Home as a Trusted Saskatoon Non-profit. 

Hear from the wonderful Laddie and Shelley by watching the Behind The Brand interview that was recorded last year. 

Over the last 10 years, Hairstyle Inn Salons has been re-checked, re-verified and mystery shopped several times, and each time they pass with flying colours. They continue to be top salons in Saskatoon and they have always upheld our 5 TRUSTED GUARANTEES of service for the 10 YEARS as Trusted Saskatoon Partners.

When the Trusted Saskatoon team gives a business the 'Thumbs Up' it really means something!! So continue to use and recommend TrustedSaskatoon.com to FIND GREAT LOCAL BUSINESSES YOU CAN TRUST like Hairstyle Inn Salons!

Hairstyle Inn Salons have been given the thumbs up as Trusted Saskatoon Salons for 10 years!!

Marla Janzen has been a Trusted Saskatoon Real Estate Expert for over 10years!

If you’re considering selling your home, contact award-winning SASKATOON REAL Estate agent Marla Janzen today for a free consultation! She would be happy to offer you her personalized opinions.

• See Marla Janzen's Saskatoon and Warman Real Estate Listings Here
• For more testimonials and reviews about Marla Janzen, click here
• Free Market Analysis
• Read More Of Marla's Client Review on Rate My Agent Here 

Marla guarantees to provide you with a stress-free, hassle-free, wonderful experience and we are sure once you have met her that you will not contact anyone else! 

When the Trusted Saskatoon team gives a business the 'Thumbs Up' it really means something!! So continue to use and recommend TrustedSaskatoon.com to FIND GREAT LOCAL BUSINESSES YOU CAN TRUST like Marla Janzen with eXp Realty!

You can find out all about Marla's philosophy, what attracted her to the real estate industry,  and hear what drives her to provide excellence each day in the Behind The Brand Video we recorded with her in 2020. 

MEET  ALL OF THE 10 YEAR TRUSTED SASKATOON PARTNERS BY CLICKING HERE