Top 30 Free Business Listings in the UK

Don’t get worried if your prospective customers can not find you online. Here is a comprehensive list of free business listings in the UK.

What are business listings?

Business listings are the most basic, yet essential, component of local search marketing. They provide a foundation for other tactics like reputation management and citation building. We can say, they are basic building blocks of local SEO.

It’s hard to say how many there are around the world (There were over 1.8 billion business listings around the world in 2017. This number can be tripled as in 2022). According to research from BrightLocal, there are more than 100 high-quality business listings and citations in the UK alone!

Remember those times when we needed Yellow Pages? Now we can find any business we need online. Now business listings are just profiles of companies that exist on the web on different websites. They can be found on search engines, business directories and social networks. Listings will usually include the name, address and phone number of the company as well as a range of other information including opening hours, payment options and extra contact details.

Why are they important?

Business listings are how people looking for local businesses typically find out about new companies. They’re also used by search engines to display information in the local pack (the top three results on Google that show up when you do a local search, just under the map), and to gather information about the physical location of a business.

The more complete your business listings are, the easier it is for customers to find and contact you. So every company needs consistent information throughout the web to be found online, especially in local searches.

If your customers can’t find your business online, then they may choose to shop elsewhere. More and more people today look for local businesses on their mobile devices, and if they’re not able to find yours, that’s money out of your pocket.

What is Local search?

A local search is a search for services, products and businesses within a specific location. Local searches include the name of the city or location in their query, such as “handyman near me” or “handyman in Wimbledon.” The result page shows organic results as well as a local map with businesses listed under it.

Are business listings the same as citations?

Yes and no. A citation is any mention of your business name and address on the web, even if there’s no link. A citation can be as simple as your company name mentioned in a news article or on a blog. But a citation also includes links. If you have a website for your business, citations with links are very important for SEO.

What is NAP?

Basically, NAP stands for “Name, Address, and, Phone number”. For business listings and citations, this is the simple information you need. On the other hand, most directories today ask for more information as well as images like logos.

Having consistent NAP information throughout the web is very important. Here is a list of NAP elements that should come in handy before you start your listings and to be consistent everywhere:

NAP information to get started before registering to business listings:

• Business Name

(This should be consistent all around the web)

• Business Address:

(This should be consistent all around the web)

• Business Phone Number: 

• Business email address: 

• Business Logo: 

Please attach any logo file. High-resolution or print-ready files are appreciated. 

• Business images: (Around 8 images) 

We need these for business listings and cover pages. Product images, staff images, Business place images etc. can be used. 

• Business Hours: (for each day)

• Business establishment date: 

• Business category: (Google Business categories, full list https://www.akseldigital.com/google-my-business-categories-list/ )

• Business Description: 1 or 2 paragraphs describing the business.

• Website link:

• Social Links: All the social media links of the company (facebook, instagram, linkedin, pinterest, twitter etc)

• Accepted form/method of payments:

• Business keywords: Services, types of products etc

• A list of 3-4 companies in the same line of business: 

What is Local SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. SEO is a strategy used by digital marketers to get their clients’ websites to show up in Google searches. Local SEO simply refers to optimising a website so that it can be found on local searches (as opposed to national or global searches).

Many people use the terms local search and local SEO interchangeably because they’re closely related concepts. But there are key differences between the two that is important. Check our local SEO services in Aksel Digital to learn more about how local SEO works and how we can help.

Should I pay for a free listing?

Many listing sites allow businesses to claim and update their free local business listings at no cost. However, some sites offer additional features that come at a price. Before paying for a free listing, research which features you need for your business and if those features are worth the cost.

Although they are free, listing your business in different lists and keeping them consistent takes time. If you are a new business with little to no funds, you can easily do the job yourself. If you need help with your listings, a local SEO agency can help.

How to claim back your listing?

You can find most of the business listings that your website is listed by a simple Google search. After finding your listings, you have to claim and change them one by one. Here is how to do it:

Visit the website where your business is listed. Search for it by name, address or phone number to find its profile page. Click the “Claim this Business” button (if available). Follow the prompts to verify that you’re an authorized representative of the company. You may need to verify your identity by email or phone before you can make changes to the listing. Once you’ve verified that you own the profile, sign in to update or add information as needed.

If you think this takes a very long time, a local SEO agency can help you.

Are there industry-specific directories?

Industry directories list businesses by category. Some are general and cover all industries, while others are specific to one industry. To get the most out of these directories, you’ll want to be listed in relevant ones based on your business type.

Geo-targeted directories focus on connecting customers with local businesses. They typically include a map so users can locate nearby companies quickly and easily.

Review sites invite customers to share their experiences with various businesses and services. Their reviews are published publicly for others to read and learn from.

Preferably, you would want to be listed in a mix of all types of directories but being listed in specific industry-related directories can help people and Google to understand and trust your business better.

Top Business Listings in the UK

Don’t forget to get listed in Google Business Listings, Apple Maps, Linkedin, Facebook, Bing and Yahoo.co.uk to get started. Here are some other listings you can claim your business or get listed.

192.com – business listing can be claimed and optimised
Access place – fed by Bizwiki (see below)
Bizwiki – helps with Accessplace.com (above) and TownPages.com (below)
Brownbook 
Citylocal 
Cityvisitor –
Cylex –
Freeindex – business listings can be optimised and this is a useful site for gathering customer reviews
Hotfrog – listings can be claimed and optimised
LocalMole – fed by The Scoot Network (see below)
LocalLife – basic and enhanced listings are available
Manta – your business listing can be claimed and fully optimised with social media links and images
MisterWhat – listings can be verified and optimised
Near – data fed by ThomsonLocal, basic listings only
Qype – now owned by Yelp but you can still claim and optimise your business here
Scoot – claim and optimise your business here and it feeds out to the Scoot network
The Independent – business directory powered by Scoot
The Sun – listings data all provided by Scoot
ThomsonLocal – basic listing can be upgraded (paid) and optimised
Tipped – listings can be claimed and optimised, also a useful site for customer reviews
TouchLocal – part of the Scoot Network, supplies data down to regional sites such as TouchBristol, etc.
Townpages – basic listings, information provided by Bizwiki
uFindus – basic listing and fed by My118Info
Wahanda -enhanced listings and reviews for spas, salons and fitness studios
Wampit -free listings available with additional options (website link, more images, etc) for a fee
WheresBest -listings can be claimed and optimised
Yalwa -full business listings available
Yell -listings can be verified and optimised, additional advertising opportunities are available
Yelp -listings can be claimed and optimised, additional advertising opportunities are available. Important site for customer reviews.

Zettai -basic business listings available