How Should the Phone Number Be Formatted on the Website?

Short Answer: The phone number on your website should be correctly formatted, with any extension number placed at the bottom of the page to ensure that Google can properly scan and recognize it.

Full Explanation

Proper formatting of your phone number is crucial for technical reasons related to search engine optimization (SEO). When Google crawls your website, it looks for clear and correctly structured information, including contact details like phone numbers. If your phone number is formatted incorrectly or includes the extension in the wrong place, Google may not effectively identify it as a contact number.

By positioning the extension number at the bottom of the page separately from the main phone number, you help Google accurately recognize the primary phone number when scanning your site. This enhances the chances that your contact information will be indexed properly, contributing to improved visibility in search results.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Format the Main Phone Number Correctly: Ensure the primary phone number appears clearly and follows a consistent formatting style.
Place the Extension Number Separately: Instead of attaching the extension directly to the main number, position it at the bottom of the page.
Verify Visibility for Search Engines: This placement allows Google to scan and detect the main phone number without confusion caused by extension details.

Real Examples

Although no specific examples are provided here, consider a page where the main phone number is prominently displayed in the header or contact section, while the extension is listed discreetly in the footer or at the end of the page content. This arrangement aligns with the recommended formatting for SEO purposes.

Common Mistakes

Combining the main phone number and extension in a single line, causing Google to misinterpret the whole string.
Failing to format the phone number correctly, resulting in poor visibility during search engine indexing.
Placing the extension alongside the primary number without separation, leading to technical issues in Google scanning.

FAQs

Why should the extension number be at the bottom of the page?: Placing the extension at the bottom ensures that Google can clearly see and recognize the main phone number without confusion, improving how your contact info is indexed.
Does the phone number format affect SEO?: Yes, correct formatting helps search engines like Google properly interpret and index contact information, which can impact your site’s visibility.
Can I put the extension number next to the phone number?: For SEO reasons, it’s better to separate the extension and place it at the bottom to facilitate proper scanning by search engines.

Key Takeaways

Correctly format your main phone number for clear visibility.
Position any extension number separately at the bottom of the page.
This approach helps Google scan and index your phone number effectively.
A well-formatted phone number improves SEO and user accessibility.