Free UK Business Directories
The Top 60 Free UK Business Directories Guide – Get Your Free Listings Now!
Are free UK business directories still needed in 2023?
In 1999 and the world population has just surpassed 6 billion, the millennium dome has just opened and the new issue of the Yellow Pages has just been dumped on your doorstep. It’s amazing to see the change in the UK’s consumer habits 20 years on and how local business directories are now almost solely online. While local directories don’t live next to your telephone and are no longer used by short guys to kiss taller girls (Yellow Pages advert); they are vital to your local search engine optimisation (SEO) campaign in 2023. We have put together background information, a citation planner to download and an overview of free UK business directory listings for you.
Summary
Do People Still Use Local Directories to Search? What is local SEO? How do Local Directory Listings Improve Your Rankings In Local Search Results? How Do I Add or Claim Listings? Should I Pay For a Listing? The Definitive List of Free UK Business Directories. What About Industry-Specific Directories?
Do people still use free UK business directories to Search?
Yes, but they are a minority as most people use search engines like Google to find what they’re looking for. The reason we advise a wide and accurate local citation portfolio is not because of the searches within those directories. We would advise you to have as many citations in free UK business directories as possible to improve your local SEO.
What Is Local SEO? And, Why Is It so Important?
Local SEO is the practice of optimising your website and online presence to be found through search engines by potential clients searing in your area. This differs from search engine optimisation (which does also have a positive impact on local SEO) which can attract clients outside your business’ reach. Local SEO improves your ranking in local search results and with 46% of searches on Google being local; local SEO has never been more important.
How do Local Directory Listings Improve Your Rankings In Local Search Results?
To understand how the UK’s local business directory listings improve your local SEO, you first have to understand the Local Search Ecosystem. The ecosystem is made up of 4 different types;
Primary Data Aggregators – These guys, such as Factual and Acxiom collect, vet and validate huge data sets. Search Engines like Google, Bing, and Apple license the primary aggregators’ data. Key Sites in the Ecosystem – Examples include Facebook and Yelp help feed this information to search engines. Geo & Vertical Directories – These directories not only provide your site with increased traffic but feed information to core search engines to further validate your business and its information. Core Search Engines – Google and Bing need no introduction!
By increasing your portfolio of accurate local citations you get
More indicators to search engines of who you are, what you do and where you do it. This helps search engines like Google verify your business and your services. The more “Domain Authority” a directory has, the more influence it has on your local search ranking. A link to your website from a bigger, more authoritative site improves your indexing from search engines and boosts your ranking in local search results. Accurate information to potential clients to aid them to find, visiting or contacting your business.
Inaccurate data cannot only be an inconvenience for users but can negatively affect your local SEO. Keep your information accurate and consistent by planning your citations. First fill your business information with our free UK business directories citation planner, then copy and paste the information across your free UK business directories’ listings. Should you ever move, re-brand or change your opening hours or phone number; the citation planner will have a list of free UK business directories with your listing and will make life easier for you.
How Do I Add Or Claim Existing Listings?
The process differs between each directory. Thankfully, most sites have really clear and easy-to-follow processes about how to add your business or claim an existing listing. For those that aren’t as clear, or make it seem like there isn’t a free list option; We have added some tips, tricks and links to the list of free UK business directories below. Before you start, Prepare!
You will need to
Gather all your business information in a single place by using our citation planner. When you have got all your information together, ensure your business has a page on all the relevant social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn and you have the links to your pages in your planner. Have access to the company email address you wish to publicly list – some directories require you to authenticate your account by replying to the email address you wish to list. Be able to answer a company telephone number you wish to publicly list – some directories require you to authenticate your account by calling you with a verification code.
TOP TIP: Listing in over 50 directories will more than likely take a week’s work, or more if you are not prepared! A great trick to save time is to pay for the Moz Local tool. Moz will upload data to the big data aggregators and that will feed down through loads of directories. Wait 6 months, then go through our free UK directories list and fill in the gaps, easy! You can also use this tool for making big changes such as a re-brand or moving premises.
So make sure you plan and download our free local citation template. Or, if you simply do not have the time; you could hire a local SEO specialist to ensure your citation portfolio is large and accurate.
Contact Us if you require help with this
Should You Pay For a Listing?
Some directories charge for premium listings. If the directory is extremely targeted (like an industry-specific directory), or you only need a handful of sales to justify the premium listing; a premium listing may pay off. The value we see in these listings is the link to your site and the amount of consistent information you can spread across the web to get noticed.
The Definitive List of Free Local Business Directories in the UK
We have used all of these free UK business directories ourselves so have 1st hand experience with listing a citation in each directory; we have only submitted citations to free business directory listings that work in the UK. If a directory is no longer working or you find it difficult to add a listing, please send us an email and we will update the info in our blog post to keep the list up to date for our readers. We have ordered them by domain authority (DA) to help you prioritise your citations.
Free UK Business Directories
The Top 60 Free UK Business Directories Guide
Listed by domain authority
Apple Maps 100
This app is now the default map application on all Apple devices so it’s super important to get your business listed on it. Visit to sign in and add your business as a place.
LinkedIn 98
You’ll first need to have a personal account on LinkedIn. So sign up, then follow the instructions here to add your business page.
Facebook 96
The social media giant has made it really easy to create a page for your business. You’ll need a Facebook account and follow these instructions.
Google 94
This one needs no introduction. When you search in Google for a local business you will most likely see their my business link with a map and more detailed info about them. To add your business go to Google My Business to sign in and claim your listing. Google may want to verify your details by phone or send you a postcard with a verification code.
Bing 94
You can easily list your business at Bing Places Similarly to Google, they will mail you a verification postcard. However, if you’re a little more patient and verify with Google first, you can simply import your listing from Google.
The Independent Business Directory 94
This listing is managed by a company called Scoot. Go to Scoot’s add listing page and you will be listed in this directory automatically if eligible.
The Mirror Business Directory 94
This is another Scoot directory so got Scoot’s add listing page to get listed if eligible. You only need to do this once for all of Scoot’s directories.
The Mirror Business Directory 92
Login (you can log in with a Facebook account) here to add your business listing.
Wales’ Business Directory 89
Managed by Central Index, go to Dental Index to be automatically listed in this directory if eligible.
The Evening Standard Business Directory 92
Another one was managed by Scoot. If you haven’t already, head over to Scott to claim your listing and you will be listed in this directory automatically if eligible.
The Daily Record Directory 84
Another high authority domain managed by Scoot. Go here to be automatically listed in this directory if eligible.
here.com 84
Here.com is used by loads of vehicle sat nav systems. To add your business you’ll need to sign up for an account and log in to their Map Creator. Zoom in on the map and add your location, there’s a super useful how-to video on YouTube
TomTom 80
Visit TomTom map share tools, create an account and add your business as a place of interest by clicking on its position on the map. TomTom will then validate the request and include it in its next update.
Biz Community 76
This one is super easy, sign up and add your listing.
Just Landed 75
A website designed for ex-pats, simply go here and list your business.
Yell.com 74
Once the business directories, Yell is still a big player click here to claim or add a listing
Yelp 74
Visit this page and click the big red button to claim your business.
Relevance 72
Pretty straightforward, go here and click “add listing”.
192.com 66
Simply go here to search for your business by postcode and either claim or add your listing.
Kompass 66
Register your company and add at least one product/service.
Cylex Business Directory UK 55
Click here to find the registration page and fill in your info.
Bark 59
This is a lead generation site but has a profile for all their registered professionals. Visit the site and click “Join as a Professional” and add your details.
Global Brownbook 59
Head straight here and add your business.
Central Index 56
Visit here, register and add your business.
Community Walk 58
Go to their sign-up page and once registered add a map and then add your location – we found adding our location was easiest to do by entering the longitude/latitude (you can find this by searching Google Maps for your business and right-clicking.
Infobel 58
Visit their pricing page and click on the “try” button for the free listing, you don’t have to give any credit card details etc. so don’t worry about being charged in future.
Spoke 58
Click “register” in the top right of the homepage and then click here to list your business.
The Best Of UK 57
Go to their homepage and click “ARE YOU A BUSINESS?”, you’ll then be presented with a form to complete.
FreeIndex 56
Go to their sign-up page and register to advertise.
Storyboard 55
All you need to do is sign up on the homepage and you’ll be directed as to the type of profile you wish to create. Hit business and enter your info.
Scoot 55
Although the domain authority isn’t the best, Scoot manages and distributes the info you provide to other much more powerful directories so it’s well worth going here to add your listing.
Cybo 54
Head over here to list your business.
Lacartes 52
Sign up and add a business page.
iBegin 50
iBegan (see what I did there?!) by going here entered the details, easy!
Thomson Local 50
Go here and fill in your details. Don’t worry too much if you don’t get a notification or response, we didn’t! After emailing their support they told us it takes up to 14 days.
ShowMeLocal.com 49
Follow this link and set up your citation.
Europages 49
Go here to sign up
Hotfrog 47
It is really easy to create your profile by visiting this page.
N29 47
Get started by adding your business and contact info.
Touch Local 47
Another Scoot-managed directory. Go to Scoot to be automatically listed in this directory if eligible.
Express Business Directory 45
I expected this to be a newspaper directory powered by Scoot, but it’s not! Add your business and follow the prompts. Don’t forget to verify with the email you’ll receive at the end!
iGlobal 45
Go to their add business page and fill in your details.
2FindLocal 44
Visit this page and search for your business telephone number. From there, follow the prompts.
Find The Needle 43
A UK business-to-business portal, list your business here.
MisterWhat 42
Go to the homepage and click “sign up” in the top right. You will then be able to log in and go to “my profile”. You will then be able to click “add company”.
City Visitor 39
Go here and enter your postcode and hit “search” then claim or enter your business details into the form.
opening-times.co.uk 38
Head here and enter your business email address then follow the prompts including your opening times, obviously…
Tupalo 38
Pop here to add your free listing.
My Local Services 37
Go here to list your business.
UK Small Business Directory 37
You need to submit a request to TJ! Visit this page and complete the form.
Tipped.co.uk 36
Check if your business is already listed here and amend or add your listing. It does take 3 months for them to approve it if you want a free listing!!
Fyple 35
Register for an account then verifies your listing and log in to add a business.
Where 2 Go 35
“Go 2” here and follow the steps.
Near.co.uk 34
Check if your business is already listed here and amend or add your listing. It does take 3 months for them to approve it if you want a free listing!!
Dentons 33
It is easy, just go here and click “create basic listing”. N.B. for this listing you will need to have a separate personal email for registration from the one you are using for the public profile.
WAND 33
Visit the homepage and there are two buttons in the middle where you can either “register now” or “update listing”.
Searchme4 27
All you need to do is visit here and register your business
InUKLocal 25
This one is a bit of a chew… visit this page and use the “local sites finder” at the bottom right to drill down from region, and area to the town you wish to advertise in. Go to your town’s page and scroll down and click “Advertise your business (FREE)”. On the next page click “create an account” and away you go.
Opendi 24
Visit their listing page and submit your listing.
Townpages.co.uk 21
Set up your free listing here.
What About Industry-Specific Directories?
Some industries have extremely useful and authoritative sites you can place a citation. Such as TripAdvisor for Hotels, Restaurants and Tourist Attractions or HomeAdvisor for tradesmen and architects. It is well worth researching the directories available in your industry as they may be the key directories to a successful local SEO campaign.
Credit to:
Tom Harrison
