If you are a UK-based business thinking about SEO, this is one thing that you ought to do right away. Search engines like Google will place more trust in your website if it is mentioned on reputable directories. It is important that the information you submit for Name, Address and Phone Number is EXACTLY the same in each directory, in order to get the most SEO value out of it.
1. Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)
Free: www.business.google.com You’ve no doubt searched for businesses or searches in your local area and have seen the Google Map pop up with a number of business names next to it – that is the Google Business Profile. It allows you to add photos, news, offers and events. It gives you increased visibility and it’s free.
2. Bing Places
Free: www.bingplaces.com Bing is the Microsoft browser and while it may not be as popular as Google, don’t underestimate it’s importance.
3. Yell
Freemium*: www.yell.com If you remember the Yellow Pages, well this is the online version. You can create a basic listing fee, but you will need to pay a fee to upgrade your listing (from around £10 per month). *Freemium is a term that means there are free options available, although more advanced options are paid.
4. Scoot
Freemium: www.scoot.co.uk The Scoot network includes the Independent, TouchLocal, The Sun and The Mirror, so creating a listing here will mean that you automatically get a listing on these other directories as well. You can create a basic listing free.
5. Yelp
Free: www.yelp.co.uk Yelp allows customers to review their favourite businesses. It is ranked in the top 800 most popular websites in the UK.
6. Foursquare
Paid: www.foursquare.com The website provides personalised recommendations of places to go to near a user’s current location based on users’ “previous browsing history, purchases, or check-in history”.
7. ThomsonLocal
Freemium: www.thomsonlocal.com Another popular directory, that allows you create a basic listing free.
8. HotFrog
Freemium: www.hotfrog.co.uk Another popular directory, that allows you create a basic listing free.
9. FreeIndex
Freemium: www.freeindex.co.uk Another popular directory, that allows you create a basic listing free.
10. 118118.com
Free: www.118118.com
11. 192.com
Free: www.192.com
12. Business Magnet
Free: www.businessmagnet.co.uk
