Does Changing My Business Phone Number Hurt SEO?
Sometimes, for one reason or another, it's necessary to change your business phone number. However, you might be fearful that doing so will hurt your SEO search rankings. You certainly don't want to ruin your entire search presence just because you decided to change the phone number.
So, does changing my business phone number hurt SEO? No, as long as you update your business phone number everywhere on the web, your SEO will be fine. This means in addition to changing the number on your website, you need to change it on social media, Google Business Profile, and any directory sites.
Why does it matter if you have inconsistent phone numbers and business info online? Well I'm glad you asked!
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Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP)
One of the ways that Google checks to see if you are legitimate business is to see if your business information is consistent across the web. Not only should you have links to your site from other related and reputable sites, you should have consistent NAP.
Therefore, if you are going to change your business phone number, it's pivotal that you update your website, any social media platforms, and a local directories where your phone number is advertised. Keeping that phone number consistent is key!
If you don't feel like you would be able to get all of the phone numbers updated, you may want to keep the number and think of an alternative to your goal.
Alternative to Changing Your Business Phone Number
If changing your business phone number is going to be a huge hassle and you're worried about the effect it might have on your SEO, the next best option is to port the number.
You can change phone providers by simply porting the number to a new service. This would allow you to keep your same exact phone number but simply change your service provider.
Keep in mind that this may not be possible if you moving to a new geographical location, but it's worth giving your provider a call to see what they can do to help you.
It's also important to note that some providers may charge a fee to port the number away, but the fee is probably worth it.
