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)

• 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.

Other Websites That You Can Post

If you’re looking to engage in link-building by posting on websites, blogs, or forums where you can include a link back to your own website with an anchor text of your choice, here’s a list of platforms where you can potentially do this.

Please note that the effectiveness and appropriateness of these tactics can vary, and it’s important to follow the rules and etiquette of each platform to avoid being perceived as spamming:

1. Reddit – Reddit: You can participate in relevant subreddits and include links in your comments or posts, but ensure you follow subreddit rules.
2. Quora – Quora: Answer questions related to your niche and include your link as a source where relevant. Again, it’s vital to provide genuine, valuable responses to avoid being flagged as spam.
3. Medium – Medium: Write articles relevant to your expertise and include links back to your website within the content or in your profile.
4. Blogger – Blogger: Create your own blog and freely link to your website. You can also comment on other blogs where comments include website fields.
5. HubPages – HubPages: Similar to Medium, you can create content that includes links to your website, provided they add value to the readers.
6. LinkedIn – LinkedIn: Publish posts and articles in your area of expertise with links back to your website.
7. Tumblr – Tumblr: A microblogging platform where you can post content and links back to your site.
8. WordPress Forums – WordPress Forums: Participate in discussions about topics related to WordPress and include a link to your site in your profile signature.
9. Digital Point Forums – Digital Point: A forum for digital marketers where you can discuss various topics and include links in your posts or signature.
10. Vocal – Vocal: A platform for content creators to publish content in various niches, with the ability to include links within the content.

It’s important to contribute positively and authentically on these platforms, focusing on community engagement rather than solely on link building.

Abusing these platforms for backlinks can lead to penalties from search engines and damage to your online reputation. Always check the guidelines of each site to make sure your contributions are welcome and appropriate.

Platforms for Publishing and Sharing Professional Content

In today’s digital landscape, sharing your knowledge and expertise through various online platforms can significantly enhance your professional reputation and expand your reach.

Platforms like SlideShare, Scribd, and Issuu allow users to publish and share content ranging from slides and documents to magazines and academic papers.

These tools not only facilitate the dissemination of information but also provide opportunities to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field. By engaging with these platforms, you can gain visibility, connect with peers, and potentially earn valuable backlinks to your website, thereby boosting your online presence.

Use them wisely.

1. SlideShare – SlideShare: A hosting service for professional content including presentations, infographics, documents, and videos. It’s a great way to share slides and gain visibility.
2. Scribd – Scribd: Allows you to publish documents and books, which can be an excellent source of backlinks if your content gets enough exposure.
3. Issuu – Issuu: A platform for publishing magazines, catalogs, and newspapers digitally. It’s widely used for marketing materials and publications.
4. Academia.edu – Academia.edu: Targeted towards academic research, this platform allows researchers to share papers, monitor their research, and follow research in a particular field.
5. ResearchGate – ResearchGate: Similar to Academia.edu, this is a social networking site for scientists and researchers to share papers, ask and answer questions, and find collaborators.
6. Medium – Medium: A popular blogging platform where you can write articles on various topics. It’s excellent for thought leadership and building an audience.
7. LinkedIn Articles – Through your LinkedIn profile, you can publish articles directly. This is particularly effective for professional networking and increasing your visibility in your industry.
8. WordPress.com – WordPress.com: You can start a blog or a site to share your expertise, which can also include posting downloadable content like PDFs or slides.
9. Google Slides – Part of Google Drive, Google Slides allows you to create, share, and edit presentations online. You can share links to your presentations in forums or on your website.
10. Prezi – Prezi: Known for its unique presentation style, Prezi allows you to create visually interesting presentations and share them online.

These platforms cater to a wide range of content types and audiences, offering opportunities to enhance your online presence and authority in your field. Each platform has different strengths, so selecting one should depend on your specific content strategy and audience target.

Other Platforms To Share Your Professional Content

1. Behance – Behance: Ideal for creatives looking to showcase their portfolios, from graphic design to photography.
2. Vimeo – Vimeo: A video-sharing platform that is often used by professionals for high-quality video content and portfolios.
3. Dribbble – Dribbble: A community for showcasing user-made artwork and design. It’s particularly popular among graphic designers and illustrators.
4. GitHub – GitHub: Essential for developers to share code and collaborate on projects, making it a key site for tech professionals.
5. Wattpad – Wattpad: A unique platform for writers to publish new user-generated stories across different genres, helping authors gain a following and improve their visibility.
6. DeviantArt – DeviantArt: One of the largest online social networks for artists and art enthusiasts, and a platform for emerging and established artists to exhibit, promote, and share their works.
7. SoundCloud – SoundCloud: A streaming service that lets people discover and enjoy the greatest selection of music from diverse creator communities around the world.
8. Figshare – Figshare: An online digital repository where researchers can preserve and share their research outputs, including figures, datasets, images, and videos.
9. Zenodo – Zenodo: A general-purpose open-access repository developed under the European OpenAIRE program and operated by CERN. It allows researchers to store and showcase research results in any format in any field of science.
10. Speaker Deck – Speaker Deck: Allows you to share presentations online. Simply upload your slides as a PDF, and they’re converted into a beautiful online experience.

These platforms cater to diverse audiences and can be particularly effective in reaching targeted groups interested in specific fields of professional expertise.

Industry-Specific Platforms for Business Engagement and Visibility

In today’s competitive marketplace, businesses benefit significantly from engaging with industry-specific platforms that cater to their unique audience. These platforms not only provide opportunities to showcase products and services but also allow businesses to contribute knowledge, establish thought leadership, and connect with peers. Whether it’s technology, design, healthcare, or real estate, leveraging these targeted platforms can enhance your business’s online presence, improve credibility, and foster community engagement.

Here’s a list of industry-specific platforms where different business types can share content, enhance visibility, and engage with specific audiences:

Technology and Software

• GitHub: GitHub – Ideal for software developers to share code and collaborate on projects.
• Stack Overflow: Stack Overflow – A Q&A site for programmers to learn and share their programming knowledge.
• TechCrunch: TechCrunch – Offers an opportunity to get featured by contributing technology-related news or articles.

Creative Arts (Artists, Designers)

• Behance: Behance – A platform for creatives to showcase their work, from graphic design to fashion.
• Dribbble: Dribbble – Popular among graphic designers and digital artists to display their portfolios.
• DeviantArt: DeviantArt – Suitable for artists to exhibit, promote, and share their artworks with a community.

Health and Wellness

• Healthgrades: Healthgrades – Allows healthcare providers to be listed and reviewed.
• Psychology Today: Psychology Today – Therapists and mental health professionals can list their services and publish articles.
• Wellness.com: Wellness.com – A directory for health and wellness professionals to list their services.

Legal Services

• Avvo: Avvo – Offers a listing service for lawyers where they can also contribute articles and advice.
• FindLaw: FindLaw – Lawyers can contribute articles and participate in a highly regarded legal community.
• LegalZoom: LegalZoom – While primarily a service provider, it offers opportunities for guest postings and partnerships.

Real Estate

• Zillow: Zillow – Allows for listing properties and contributing content to Zillow’s blog for additional exposure.
• Realtor.com: Realtor.com – Offers listing services and a platform to contribute expert advice on their blog.
• BiggerPockets: BiggerPockets – Real estate professionals can engage with a community, share insights, and post blogs.

Education and Training

• Edutopia: Edutopia – A place for educators to share innovative teaching strategies.
• Academia.edu: Academia.edu – Academics can share research papers and connect with other researchers.
• Coursera Blog: Coursera Blog – Educators and trainers can contribute guest posts about education technology and strategies.

Hospitality and Travel

• TripAdvisor: TripAdvisor – Businesses can list their services and also share travel content through blog posts.
• Booking.com: Booking.com – While primarily for listings, there are opportunities for featured articles and advice.
• Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet – Offers opportunities for guest blogging about travel tips and stories.

Utilising these platforms can dramatically increase the reach and impact of your business by connecting with the right audience in a meaningful way.

The Importance of Meaningful Contributions Over Spamming

Why Genuine Engagement Matters More Than Ever

In the digital age, the temptation to increase visibility through frequent posts and links across various platforms can be high. However, indiscriminate spamming can do more harm than good to your brand’s reputation and long-term success.

Instead, focusing on meaningful contributions is crucial. Genuine engagement not only fosters trust and respect among your audience but also adheres to the guidelines of platforms, ensuring that your content reaches the right people and has the desired impact.

This approach enhances your credibility, builds valuable relationships, and drives sustainable growth. By contributing thoughtfully, you ensure that your interactions are enriching for the community and beneficial for your brand, turning every post into an opportunity to positively influence your audience and reinforce your expertise.

Maintaining Updated and Consistent Information Across Platforms

The Key to Reliable Online Presence

Keeping your information up-to-date and consistent across all platforms is crucial for maintaining a trustworthy and professional online presence. Regular updates ensure that potential customers always have access to the most current and accurate information about your business, which is vital for building confidence and credibility.

Consistency in your details, messaging, and branding across various channels not only enhances recognition but also helps in strengthening your brand’s identity. This harmonized approach prevents confusion, maximizes your visibility, and leverages each platform effectively to support your overall marketing strategy.