Citation-building workflow
The work starts with accurate business data, an audit, source selection, submission or claiming, verification, and maintenance. Success is partly operational: is the correct business represented accurately on the right platforms?
Directory profiles may include backlinks, but that is not the only purpose of the listing.
Link-building workflow
Link acquisition starts with assets, relationships, editorial opportunities, partnerships, local sponsorships, digital PR, or other reasons another site would reference the business.
Quality and relevance matter more than simply accumulating link counts.
Where they overlap
Chamber pages, local associations, niche directories, community resources, and sponsorship profiles can function as both citations and links.
That overlap is useful, but it should not tempt a business into irrelevant directories purely for a backlink.
Sequence for a new local business
Get the core business data and important profiles right early. Then develop the website, reviews, local content, partnerships, and link-worthy assets needed for broader authority.