This post originally appeared on tBL member Joshua Lyon’s blog Joshua Lyons Marketing Blog and is republished with permission. Find out how to syndicate your content with theBrokerList.
*** Author’s Note: We originally published this blog post in March of 2019. This updated version shares 32 listings to consider claiming, rather than the original 15. We hope you find this useful! ***
Claiming free listings on local search directories is a great way to get more visibility for your business. You have probably used at least one of these websites before, when trying to find a place to eat, or searching for a doctor to use. The following are free local business listings you can claim, to help you increase exposure for your business.
32 Free Local Business Listings
1. Google My Business
Google My Business is one of the most popular search services on the Internet. Whenever someone searches Google for your business, your listing will be included as a result. Google may also use your business listing as a search result when keywords relating to your business are searched. You can think of your business’ Google My Business listing as a bonus search result on Google. We have a blog post that goes into detail why and how you should use Google My Business.
2. Bing Places
2. Bing PlacesBing Places for Business, Bing users will also have a chance to come across your business. If you have already set up your Google My Business listing, you can easily import it to Bing Places in seconds!
3. Yelp
Yelp is commonly used as a reviewing tool for businesses like restaurants and shops, but just about any business can have a listing on the site. This website is a great option because the searchers are actively seeking for a highly rated place to go. Yelp is currently the most popular business review site, which increases the likelihood of your listing bringing in leads.
4. Yellow Pages
When Yellow Pages started their website, after years of only printing books, they added a new feature. The Yellow Pages website is incredibly similar to Yelp in that it is also a reviewing platform. Yellow Pages website visitors are searching for a business to use, which helps you generate leads for your business.
5. Manta
Manta is a website that specializes in gaining visibility for small businesses, so much so that their slogan is, “The place for small business.” As a result, Manta greatly helps small business owners, as large corporations are not heavily supported on the site. You can also search by category, rather than just keywords, which is unique.
6. Super Pages
When you first visit the Super Pages website, you will see it has a different layout than other listing platforms. It is more of an awareness tool, rather than a rating tool. If you want more calls to your business, this is the website for you. Each listing has a big button with the business’ phone number. This unique feature may increase your leads.
7. Local.com
On Local.com, you will see a search bar for keywords and a location. You will also see that they publish content for their blog. This is very different than most of these other websites because Local.com gives recognition to businesses in their blog posts. Their blog also helps drive traffic to their website, increasing the chance for your listing to be seen.
8. Cyclex
In addition to the option of searching for keywords, on Cyclex, you can browse popular searches, cities, brands, and more. It’s a great idea to publish a listing on Cyclex, if you notice your business category is one of the most popularly searched.
9. Foursquare
Foursquare is arguably the most unique website on this list. Users can choose between the “Swarm” and “City Guide” features. Their Swarm App helps users remember the places they have been by checking into businesses and reviewing them. Their city guide is more similar to Yelp or Google My Business. Creating a listing on Foursquare is a great option for business owners because of their two innovative search features.
10. Lacartes
This website not only allows you to create a listing for your business, but it also has a marketplace too! On the Lacartes website, businesses are able to sell their products as well as create business listings. If you sell tangible products, this might be the perfect business listing website for you!
11. Hotfrog
Hotfrog is another free business listing website that allows users to search by keywords and locations. On their website, they say 1.6 million people use Hotfrog every month!
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12. YellowBot
This website allows users to search based on popular categories, just like Cyclex. If your business falls under one of these categories, it’s a great idea to create a free listing for your business. YellowBot features the most recent reviews on its website, which increases the chance of your business being found!
13. Tupalo
Tupalo is a multi-feature website that gives users a few different abilities. Their users can search for local businesses just like the rest of the websites on this list, as well as make journal entries. These journal entries allow the user to jot down businesses they want to visit in the future. This is a great feature that could lead users to try your business.
14. CitySquares
This website is unique because they identify as a “local city guide” and feature business on the front page. CitySquares does not focus on showing reviews. They just focus on giving businesses more visibility.
15. Brownbook
Brownbook features business related reviews, comments and edits. This feature gives a great opportunity for your business to be seen on the website as soon as you create your business’ listing.
16. Facebook
Although primarily associated with its function as a social networking site, you can also create a Facebook business listing for free. Creating a business profile will allow you the opportunity to build more awareness about your brand, engage your customers, garnish reviews, and more.
17. City-Data
City-Data is a website that can be used to locate information on any U.S. city. Creating free local business listings on this website is extremely beneficial to your business, particularly as it is a go-to for many tourists visiting an area for the first time. City-Data distinguishes itself from some other directories in that it features many smaller towns that can otherwise get lost in the shuffle.
18. LinkedIn Company Directory
Another social networking site, LinkedIn is a great place to network, find new employees (or employment) and to generally build awareness around your company. Creating a LinkekdIn company profile is completely free and can direct a lot of new traffic to your business.
Creating listings on these free websites can help your business gain awareness by potential customers and clients in your local area. #Marketing #FreeListings Click To Tweet
19. Better Business Bureau
The BBB has been around for a long time and has established itself as a trusted source of information for consumers. Although you do need to go through an application process to receive accreditation, your actually listing is completely free and can do wonders to build your businesses rapport.
20. 411
411 is typically associated with searching for contact information on individuals, but did you know that they also have a free business listing directory?
21. EZ Local
EZ Local features a local business directory that has over 2 million indexed pages on Google. They also offer additional features (at a cost) to manage map listings, monitor social reviews, and more.
22.Angie’s List
Angie’s List has built a big name for itself over the past years as a trusted source to find top-quality, consumer-rated businesses. To leverage this platform most adequately for your business, make sure to get reviews from your best customers, as this is what will drive free business listings up in rankings.
23. DexKnows
Part of the DexMedia Group Inc., along with Superpages, DexKnows allows users to search for businesses by category, proximity, current promotions and more. While you will have to call them directly to claim your listing, it can be well worth it for the link to another reputable site.
24. Yellowbook
According to Yellowbook’s site, they have upwards of 20 million listings in their online directory. While it’s not exactly clear whether or not listing on Yellowbook is 100% free, they do offer a free consultation that can help you to determine whether or not listing here is right for your business.
25. Merchant Circle
Merchant Circle distinguishes itself from other listing platforms through its offering of free marketing tools and some specific features typically reserved for social media. In other words, the big benefit of listing here is that you are also gaining access to a bunch of free information that will aid you in your efforts to promote your business.
26. eLocal
In addition to offering businesses a free place to list, eLocal also has many advertising options available (at an additional cost, of course). This site has grown exponentially in popularity recently, making now a good time to get your business listed.
27. AreaConnect
AreaConnect brings all of the various yellow pages, white pages and local directories into one place for 3,594 cities and towns (and growing) in the United States. This gives your business exposure on several sites with minimal effort on your part.
28. B2B Yellow Pages
Receiving over 300,000 site visits per month, B2B Yellow Pages boasts over 16 million businesses in their online directory.
29. ShowMeLocal
This platform is especially helpful for businesses who are trying to reach a more globally-defined market. The 19 million businesses listed on the ShowMeLocal website (of which only 678,000 have been claimed so far) hail from Canada, the United States, the UK and Australia.
30. Nextdoor
In its relatively short existence, Nextdoor has become another trusted source for information on the best (and worst) local businesses. In fact, about 67% of users are prone to share their experiences with businesses. Claiming your free listing on this site allows you to interact with your local community, get reviews, and, should you choose to budget a little extra, advertise!
31. Spoke
Spoke is an online forum where users search for and discuss companies, news, et cetera. It receives over 80,000 visitors each month and allows users to create a free business or personal listing.
32. My Huckleberry
My Huckleberry allows you to create a business profile, act as an expert in your field by answering questions for site visitors, gather customer reviews, and, for a cost, advertise any coupons you create to your local audience.
Creating listings on these free websites can help your business gain awareness by potential customers and clients in your local area. We recommend you create a listing on as many of the above websites as possible if you are trying to get more visibility.
How to Get More Leads to Your Business
Many businesses waste tons of money and/or time on ineffective marketing. If you need help getting a positive return on your marketing investment, let us know. We’d be happy to help with your digital marketing. You can connect with us via the contact form below.
To learn about leads, and how much it costs to get leads for your business, check out our blog post titled How Many Leads to Expect Per Marketing Channel.
