Moz Local is saying a 800 is not okay...does it really negatively impact citations/rankings?

[RosemaryB]

So I was considering using Moz Local to help improve the visibility of one of my clients who is trying to improve their local SEO (they only have one business location).  When I submitted my existing client's listing there was an automated popup that read:

Sorry, we're unable to update this listing right now

Toll-free number detected

Many of the partners to which Moz Local submits your data do not accept toll-free lines as primary phone numbers. Choosing a local phone number may also be better for rankings and increase the number of calls you get from local search customers.

Is is true that having a "local phone number" can result in better rankings?  Is there any articles/studies/evidence to support this?

Also are there any discounts out there for first time Moz Local users?

[MiriamEllis]

Hey Joe,

I'd be careful of this, myself. Google is very specific about not wanting redirecting phone numbers. The guidelines state:

Website & Phone

Provide a phone number that connects to your individual business location as directly as possible, and provide one website that represents your individual business location.

• Use a local phone number instead of central, call center helpline number whenever possible.
• Do not provide phone numbers or URLs that redirect or "refer" users to landing pages or phone numbers other than those of the actual business, including pages created on social media sites.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Rosemary!

Regarding 800 numbers, please check out this recent thread: https://moz.com/community/q/1800-number-for-google-local

Regarding our rates, they are the same for all accounts up to 100 listings. After that, you become eligible for our Enterprise pricing and support

[Joe.Robison]

There was a similar question asked in 2011, and I would think that according to the most recently Local Search Ranking Factors that it would still apply today.

Definitely check out this answer from Keith, but I'll quote him here for you:

"Regarding point #1, that is definitely a myth - we frequently secure local numbers and redirect these to call centres/800 numbers etc - we're sure that Google can closely associate a regular number with a geographic region, but until they start interrogating the Telco's (which I think even the Big G might struggle with) picking up a redirected number seems to be off their radar.

In relation to #2, according to our own research, experience, results and with a little help from David Mihm's "Local Search Ranking Factors" you need to honor the NAP "holy trinity" - consistency across all citations (including your clients' website numbers) for Name, Address and Phone is critical to success in local. Not just similar - exact right down to capitalization and spaces...so, if you can't change the 800 numbers (which would be better for Google Places but probably not ideal from a public/consumer perspective) then use the 800 numbers together with Address and Name everywhere - eventually Google will associate the 800 number with the geo location and you and your client will be happy."

The overall idea is that you can use local numbers that reroute to an 800 number. It's best if you can also have your local number on your website or some local landing pages on your website, but if that's not possible, having the local number on the NAP listings is still better than an 800 number.