80 Free And Affordable Business Listing Sites: How To Get Your Business Found By More Customers
Get ready to grow your local reach and appear where customers are searching for your services with free listings on local citation sites. We’ve rounded up 80 free (and a few low-cost) business listing sites that you’ll want to appear on – and now you can.
Whether you’re a new business looking to expand your local reach or you’re an established local trade business, staying engaged with your community is key to your business’ success.
But how do you grow your local reach? The answer is Local SEO.
Sure, engaging with existing customers is key (as acquiring new customers costs 5x more than retaining current customers), and they can be a great source of referrals.
But your trade business needs an influx of new customers to stay afloat and profitable. You’ll need new lead generation tactics – like paid advertising or social media content – to expand your market.
For a dynamic, local business, marketing budgets and time can be tight. That’s where Local SEO comes in – and we’re going to focus on ONE incredibly powerful Local SEO strategy…that is 100% free.
Business Listing Websites.
Not only is this strategy free but it is an often overlooked tactic to help grow your business.
These business listing sites allow you to build local citations (don’t worry, we’ll explain what that is) and are proven ways to:
- Unlock valuable exposure
- Increase your web traffic
- Showcase your services to new customers
Not sure local citation sites are worth your time? Consider this: 53% of consumers search for local businesses AT LEAST once a month. That’s a flow of leads on tap, and all it takes is the right business listing for them to find you.
So we’ve assembled the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource with 80 free business listing sites for anyone looking to add their company to local directories and build local citations.
But first…
What is an online business listing?
An online business listing, also known as a local citation, is an entry in a web-based resource that includes business details and contact information.
These listings give local customers a way to search for your business based on industry, location, and reviews.
If this sounds a bit like a digitized phone book, you’re not far off. Most of these sites function as directories that are indexed and include detailed contact information.
The difference between a phone book and a business listing website is most of these sites go beyond standard contact details. They also include detailed listings with customer reviews and photos. As a bonus, you can interact with customers and prospects and update your details as needed.
In short, an online business listing is the secret to more leads.
What are the benefits of online listings?
There aren’t many more exciting words in the English language than ‘FREE’.
It’s easy to assume there’s a catch, but the free nature of your listing doesn’t undermine the quality or value of your business. In fact, we’ve gathered a few nifty benefits of putting your business on a local directory for you to check out…
1. Increase traffic
Most business listing sites generate income from site visitors, impressions, ads, or other engagement strategies.
When they rely on people, they welcome new listings as a way to bring traffic. The host site benefits from having more content to offer, and your business benefits with free, search-indexed content that points readers to your services.
Local business listings also give companies more exposure than their own sites or social media can afford. After all, in most cases the user has to know about your business already in order to search for it and visit your content. But with a listing site, users can search more broadly – for example “lawn service” or “emergency plumbing” – and narrow results to find you without ever knowing your business name.
2. Extra exposure
Every single new listing site you secure improves the chances that you’ll be found online by new customers.
Different people have different directory or site preferences, so the more directories you’re listed in, the more visible your business becomes.
This helps when it comes to Google too. Having your business information and links to your company site on external web pages adds credibility in the eyes of Google. With greater trust in the accuracy and importance of your listing content, the greater the odds you’ll move up the rankings for local searches in your industry.
3. Relevant leads
Think of the last time you had an issue or a project around the home you wanted help with. How did you find that help?
You probably searched on Google, describing your problem and location. For example, “electrician near me” and started scanning the results on different directories. Your customers work the same way. The more sites you appear on, the more likely you are to appear to customers.
Many of the leads that come through these business listing sites are more qualified than those you might capture from other marketing methods, such as outbound calling or paid advertising.
As a bonus, many of these sites allow users to search by location. This means that potential leads are already qualified based on geography. And the fact that they’re actively searching means they likely have a project or problem they need a solution for in the near future.
4. Fewer expenses
And then there’s cost.
Companies pay big bucks to improve their rankings and online authority and as online listings are nearly always free, this makes them a very cost-effective way to increase the number of impressions you and your site get.
In fact, Google gives priority to local businesses over national or corporate brands in local search results.
How to create an effective business listing
We’ll say it again – consistency.
Above all, make sure that your business information is consistent. This is key to making sure that customers don’t get confused about what you offer or how to contact you. It also helps your search engine optimization (SEO) and chances that you’ll start to rank higher in the search results.
When Google sees your business information listed in different ways from site to site it raises red flags that you’re not trustworthy – after all, what trustworthy business would keep changing their contact details?
In terms of the info you want to watch out for, it’s all about the NAP. Or…
- Name of Business
- Address of Business
- Phone number of Business
What to include on free business listing sites
Every listing should include the following details, so be sure to have them on hand when getting started:
- Business Name
- Mailing Address
- Main Phone Number
- Website
- Business Hours
- Description (minimum of 250 characters)
- Business Categories
- Company Logo
- Relevant Photos
Once you put the content together for your first listing, create a document for yourself that keeps all of the information in one place. This way, you can quickly and consistently add new listings on new sites as the need arises by copying from your Master sheet.
How to manage listings on free citation sites
As you add your business to new sites, keep a running list of where you are listed (and the log-in details) so you can return to make updates in the future.
Accuracy is just as important as consistency.
If business details change, such as new categories to match new services or updated operating hours, go back and update your listings. Consider setting yourself a reminder to check these details once every six months. This might seem like a hassle, but it will pay dividends when you keep attracting customers through your correct information.
Feeling nervous at the thought of doing your own SEO? Discover whether you should manage your own SEO campaign right now.
Don’t overlook the power of a picture
One area that many businesses fail to take advantage of is their photos.
Photos can be a great way to instill confidence in new customers about the services you offer.
In fact, research has shown that websites featuring images increase revenue per visitor by 17%. Imagine what adding a few photos to your own free business listings could do for click-through to your own site?
Don’t think your industry or services lend themselves to a photoshoot?
Here are some ideas to consider no matter what industry you work in:
- ‘Before and After’ Comparisons
- Showroom Displays
- Vehicles and Equipment
- Buildings and Workshops
- Team Members and Ownership
- Job or Project Set-Ups
- Services or Catalogue Snapshots
80 Free and Affordable Business Listing Sites
Now that you know what listing sites are, how they can be useful, and what you’ll need for a successful listing – let’s get into the good stuff!
Crafting your message and getting your brand out can take a bit of time, that’s why we’ve done the research for you and curated 80 business listing sites that you can use to spread the word and boost your SEO.
To make things as simple as possible you’ll find business listing sites broken down into the following categories…
Top Business Listing Sites for Australia Markets
Looking to connect with customers specific to your Australian-based services? Explore the options for local citation sites that engage people in your area.
Citation Site | Cost | Need to Know | |
---|---|---|---|
68 | Yelp Australia | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
69 | Kompass Australia | Free | Requires B2B status |
70 | Yellow Australia | Free | Works great for trades but leads cost extra |
71 | HotFrog Australia | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
72 | TrueLocal Australia | Free | Lets businesses claim their listings |
73 | NextDoor Australia | Free | Lets businesses claim their listings |
74 | Lacartes | Free | Includes listings similar to a phone book |
75 | Express Business Directory | Free | Works great for trades but leads cost extra |
76 | My Huckleberry Australia | Free | Includes listings similar to a phone book |
77 | AussieWeb Local Search | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
78 | PureLocal | Free | Includes listings similar to a phone book |
79 | Local Business Guide | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
80 | Cylex | Free | Lets businesses claim their listings |
Top Business Listing Sites for International Markets
Some of the most widely known search providers and internet resources offer business options for local listings. Explore some of these global brands double as local citation sites.
Citation Site | Cost | Need to Know | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Google Business | Free | Requires a Google account |
2 | Google Maps | Free | Requires a Google account |
3 | Apple ID | Free | Requires an Apple account |
4 | Yahoo Small Business / Localworks | Paid | Starting at $24 USD/month |
5 | Cybo | Free | Supports 50+ languages |
6 | Bing | Free | Requires a Microsoft account |
7 | BizExposed | Paid | One-time fee at $9.99 USD |
8 | Business Directory Library | Free | Includes over 60 million companies |
9 | Biz Community | Free | Tiered packages offer extra exposure |
10 | Free | Requires a verified social media account | |
11 | Free | Requires a verified social media account | |
12 | Foursquare | Free | Offers options for customer engagement |
13 | Crunchbase | Free | Offers upgrade and marketing options |
14 | TripAdvisor | Free | Owners must claim or request a listing |
15 | Brown Book | Free | Supports image upload |
16 | HERE Maps | Free | Focuses on local engagement |
17 | Show Me Local | Free | Lists 22+ million businesses |
18 | Jayde | Free | Requires businesses have their own domain |
19 | KnowEm | Free | Helps users establish their brand across websites |
20 | Tupalo | Free | Offers search engine exposure with free package |
21 | TrustPilot | Free | Starts with review and profile access |
Top Business Listing Sites for USA Markets
If your business is based in or focused on the United States, you can choose from a wide variety of free citation sites. Some of these offer a niche audience, so be sure that where you add a listing makes sense for your industry or products.
Citation Site | Cost | Need to Know | |
---|---|---|---|
22 | Yelp | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
23 | Yellow Pages | Free | Includes listings similar to a phone book |
24 | Angi (formerly Angie’s List) | Free | Works great for trades but leads cost extra |
25 | Merchant Circle | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
26 | Kompass | Paid | Costs $20 to register a listing |
27 | HotFrog | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
28 | Sales Spider | Free | Includes listings similar to a phone book |
29 | Neustar | Paid | Costs $7/month to register a listing |
30 | Insider Pages | Free | Lets businesses request a listing if not found |
31 | Manta | Free | Focuses on small businesses |
32 | HomeAdvisor | Free | Works great for trades but leads cost extra |
33 | My Huckleberry | Free | Includes listings similar to a phone book |
34 | Better Business Bureau | Free | Requests must be approved before listing |
35 | CitySearch | Free | Lists businesses automatically but can update on request |
36 | EZLocal | Free | Lists businesses automatically but can update on request |
37 | Thumbtack | Free | Works great for trades but leads cost extra |
38 | WhitePages | Free | Includes listings similar to a phone book |
39 | Mapquest | Free | Lets businesses claim their listings |
40 | Discover Our Town | Paid | Fees discussed on account creation |
41 | YellowBot | Free | Includes listings similar to a phone book |
42 | Chamber of Commerce | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
43 | US City | Free | Lets businesses claim their listings |
44 | Data Axle (formerly InfoUSA) | Paid | Fees discussed on account creation |
45 | Infignos | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
46 | CitySquares | Free | Lets businesses claim their listings |
47 | Judy’s Book | Paid | Costs $7/month to register a listing |
48 | eLocal | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
49 | eBusiness Pages | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
50 | Find US Local | Free | Includes listings similar to a phone book |
51 | Tuugo | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
52 | CitiServe | Free | Works great for trades but leads cost extra |
53 | cityfos | Free | Includes listings similar to a phone book |
54 | ABLocal | Free | Includes listings similar to a phone book |
55 | Consumer Affairs | Paid | Fees discussed on account creation |
56 | eKomi | Free | https://www.ekomi.com/us/ |
Top Business Listing Sites for UK Markets
Make sure that you are capturing traffic from local customers on regional listing sites. If you are based in the UK – or do business there – be sure to get listed on these top local citation sites for your area.
Citation Site | Cost | Need to Know | |
---|---|---|---|
57 | Yelp UK | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
58 | Kompass UK | Free | Requires B2B status |
59 | HotFrog UK | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
60 | Independent | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
61 | The Best of UK | Paid | Fees discussed on account creation |
62 | Scoot | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
63 | Thomson Local | Free | Includes listings similar to a phone book |
64 | Touch Local | Free | Results for businesses of all types |
65 | Express Business Directory | Free | Works great for trades but leads cost extra |
66 | 2 Find Local | Free | Lets businesses claim their listings |
67 | Find the Needle | Free | Works great for trades but leads cost extra |
Congrats! You’re ready to discover and engage new customers from free business listing sites
Save money and increase customers?
Sounds great, right?!
Local citation sites can be an excellent way to improve your exposure with customers who are a perfect fit for your services. While it might take a little legwork in the beginning, over time the impact from these listings adds up.
SEO efforts take a few months to register and start delivering results. But while you wait for your rankings to improve, active searchers on your new listing sites will start finding your business which brings traffic and leads in the short-term. This traffic and engagement only heads higher once you get your name consistently in front of your customers searching for specific services or products in your area.
Wondering how long it takes to reach the #1 spot on Google? Don’t tell anyone we told you, but get the answer (shhhhhh).
In short, business listings are a powerful snowball effect.
The more you register your business on, the better your SEO results over time, and the more traffic to your website. Not bad results for free business listing sites!
Inspired to take the next step in your SEO journey? Click here to discover how to use SEO to explode your traffic and leads.