Business directories are key tools for local SEO for a few reasons. The most obvious one is that they help local people to find your products and services online. Perhaps not so obvious is the fact that Google uses business directory citations as an indicator of trust for ranking listings in the Google local 3 pack.
There are a lot of directories out there, but you don’t need to be listed on all of them. If you’re just getting started with directory link building then you should lay the foundations by getting listed on the important ones. Let’s cut to the chase. The 5 best UK business directories for local SEO are listed below.
1) Yell
If you were born before the millennium then you’re likely to know about the Yellow Pages. The massive yellow book of businesses makes it’s way online in the form of Yell. The company markets themselves as “the UK’s leading online business directory”. I’m not one to argue, the directory is within the top 1000 visited sites in the UK, so if you’re going to get your business listed on any directory, make sure it’s Yell.
2) Yelp
If you’re not yelling from the roof tops about Yell then maybe Yelp is more your cup of tea. Despite sounding like the noise you make when you stand on a piece of Lego, Yelp is a powerful directory boasting over 34 million users every month. One of the things that’s great about Yelp is that it allows SABs (Service Area Businesses) to get a listing, not just those that have a physical location.
3) Scoot
Scooting in at number three is Scoot. The directory acts as a data aggregator for other sites such as the Sun, the Mirror and the Independent, to name a few. Submitting your site to Scoot means that your listing will be published on the Scoot network, saving you a lot of legwork. If you’re looking to get your site published on as many directories as possible with minimal effort Scoot is a good place to start.
4) Freeindex
I really like Freeindex. It’s aimed solely at UK businesses and is really easy to use. Freeindex listings tend to rank highly on Google. The directory is moderated too, meaning that any low quality listings are removed, preserving listing quality and respect with Google.
5) Cylex-UK
Cylex sounds more like a supplier of bicycles than a business directory, but with over 1 million daily unique users, Cylex shouldn’t be sniffed at. The directory boasts a global reach across 5 continents, so for companies operating internationally, getting listed on Cylex is a must.
Business local listing submission checklist
What next? Get out there and submit your business, but be careful. When submitting a listing to any local business directory there are a few things you need to be mindful of.
- Make sure each listing you submit uses unique content. No copy and pasting allowed. HOWEVER, make sure your NAP (Name, Address, Postcode) is consistent.
- Fill out every field when submitting. Your directory listings should be as complete as possible. Only include information that makes sense though. Don’t go putting a mobile number in a fax field, for example.
Ready to take things to the next level? Go and find more directories, but be mindful of where you submit your site. Some directories can harm your SEO performance rather than improve it.
