TOP 19 Local Business Directories

What is a local business directory?

A local business directory is essentially any online mention of a company’s name, address, and phone number – or NAP as we SEOers like to call it. The directory also usually includes a short description of the business, customer reviews, images, working hours, and a link to the website.

However, directories aren’t just the online version of the Yellow Pages anymore. They’ve now evolved to cater to specific niches, industries, and local markets, now serving as a curated collection of websites to provide a more focused browsing experience.

The benefits of a local business directory

Local business directories are super important because they mean potential customers can easily find your business – as long as your NAP and other information is correct. But that’s not all. Here are some of the benefits of having an online local business directory:

Improved search engine rankings

As part of your SEO strategy (which is to intentionally optimise your website and content to climb the search engine rankings for specific search terms), you should ensure you are listed in plenty of local directories, as this shows Google the existence and legitimacy of your company.  Well-established directories that have strict submission guidelines can also serve as a quality, relevant link that contributes to a well-rounded backlink profile!

Make the most of your customer reviews

Approximately 9 out of 10 UK consumers search for online reviews before deciding to purchase goods or services. Local business directories can not only directly show customer reviews, but also encourage more of your happy customers to post their own.

Improve brand reputation

Businesses that don’t have a local directory can appear as untrustworthy, and businesses that do have one tend to get chosen over those without. Ensuring you have directories set up and consistent across all listings reflects the professionalism of your business whilst boosting brand awareness.

Improve local visibility

Almost half of online searchers are users looking for local business information. But if you don’t have local business directories in place, how will they find you? It’s more likely that potential customers will find you when you have your information listed in at least some local directories.

What you need to submit your business to a local directory

As we’ve mentioned further up in the article, most local listings will include at least the name, address, and phone number of your business. However, there are many platforms that encourage you to add more information. Here’s an example:

• A short business description
• Hours of operation and bank holiday hours
• Photos and videos related to your company including goods and services (for example, images of the food served in your restaurant business)
• Directions
• Accepted forms of payment
• Accessibility information (wheelchair access, lifts etc.)
• Customer ratings and reviews
• Links to social media pages

To ensure you get the most out of these listings, we encourage you to add as many components as possible!

Our TOP 19 Local Business Directories

Now let’s get onto the business directories. Here’s our list of the top 21 local business directories to help you get seen.

Google Business Profile

Starting strong, Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) lists you directly on Google’s local pack and search results. It usually includes your NAP, business hours, services, customer reviews, photos, website, and much more. You can even choose to show your menu if you’re a food establishment!

Bing Places

Bing is an important citation as some of your customers might use it as their main search engine, especially with it gradually growing in popularity. Adding your business to Bing allows users to find your business and navigate there directly using Bing Maps.

Facebook

Facebook pages offer a platform for companies to create their online presence on social media. From here, businesses can connect with their audience, share content, and offer business information. If you create a business account, Facebook Business Pages provides the opportunity to add your business details, create events, and provide customer support.

Instagram

Like Facebook, Instagram is a great place to list your business’ NAP information for visibility and local SEO whilst also boosting your social media marketing strategy.

LinkedIn Pages

LinkedIn provides a directory of business pages called LinkedIn Pages where most businesses can add their profile for free. Just like Facebook and Instagram, you can list your NAP, publish updates, and connect with your customers.

Apple Maps

If your business can be visited in person, then adding it to navigation apps like Apple maps is an essential part of your local marketing strategy. Although it technically isn’t a listing site, it’s still worth adding your business for people who frequently use the app.

TripAdvisor

If you’re a business in the travel and hospitality industry, TripAdvisor is a great place to list your business. Through TripAdvisor, you can add your NAP and other details and use it as a platform to engage with customers, track performance, and manage your business presence.

Yelp

From restaurants and cafes to local boutiques and mechanics, Yelp is an invaluable directory to list your business. It’s a highly regarded directory that can boost your credibility with customer reviews. On here, you can list your NAP, business hours, services, images, and more.

Foursquare

Foursquare is a local search and discovery platform that creates personalised recommendations based on tips, ratings, and machine learning algorithms. It has a strong presence in food and beverage, nightlife, and travel industries, so if your business is in one of these, Foursquare is a great web directory!

Houzz

Houzz is a directory connecting homeowners with professionals in architecture, interior design, and general home improvement. Here, you can add your NAP, a description of your services, and photos and videos of your work.

Yell

Yell simply connects consumers and businesses online. It provides a space where great conversations between trusted businesses and customers can happen. With a range of tools to help customers find suppliers that meet their needs, it’s a great option for listing your business.

Hotfrog

Hotfrog is a general online directory that lists your NAP, business hours, business description, and website. This business directory has a simple interface to help customers quickly find the business they’re looking for.

UK Small Business Directory

The UK Small Business Directory is an online directory that helps small businesses gain more visibility to gain more leads. Users can use this directory to search their local area for a range of businesses in most sectors.

Intently.co

Intently.co is a platform that connects consumers to service providers. Consumers can request any service from anywhere and get a response within the hour! Buyers and sellers can communicate easily via email, instant message, or video call.

Scoot UK

Scoot is a directory specifically for business owners in the UK and is part of the Scoot Network which also includes the newspaper website The Mirror. This gives business owners even more opportunity to get in front of a range of people.

FreeIndex

FreeIndex is what it says on the tin: it’s a free business index that can help people find great local businesses in the UK. There are over 1.5 million members who are all able to review, browse, and get quotes for whatever they need.

Cylex Business Web Directory

The Cyclex Business Web Directory reaches 5 continents helping users find businesses and services they need quickly. They offer free listings for businesses in a variety of sectors.

ThomsonLocal

ThomsonLocal is a UK-based directory that connects users with local businesses. It’s a great online business directory for almost any business. From tradespeople and service providers to retailers and cafes, ThomsonLocal can be super beneficial to your business whilst getting a quality backlink!

TouchLocal

TouchLocal helps businesses of all sizes reach local customers. This directory is useful for many businesses that rely on local customer traffic such as tradespeople, health and beauty businesses, retail shops, food and drink establishments, and much more.

Need help with your local SEO?

At 427 Marketing, we know a thing or two about local SEO. Our team collectively has many years of experience within the industry. We’ve seen how SEO has evolved and we keep our eye on what’s coming in the future. There’s proof in the pudding at 427 as we’ve helped many of our clients reach the top spots in the rankings locally, so let us do the same for you. Get in touch with us today and let’s see what we can achieve.