Get more visitors to your website with free off-page SEO links from business directories
Perfect For:
- Increasing your Google page rank
- Cost nothing, just your time
- A newly launched website
Top ten free business directories to improve your website off-page Search Engine Optimisation
To improve your Google Page Rank, it’s important to get good quality links to your website – this should form part of your off-page SEO strategy. A simple and very cheap way (free, except your time) is to add your site to various business directories. We have collected a list of the ten best business directories to register with. They vary in the features on offer, so it’s best to try them all!
To really improve your off-page SEO when registering your business in a directory we suggest the following:
- Make sure you add a link to your website.
- Don't pay to get a listing, unless you really think it will pay dividends.
- When registering, consider using an email address you don't mind getting spam email in.
- Consider uploading some images to a gallery if available and adding descriptive text.
- Make sure you write unique content on every directory, don't cut and paste from your website. Really important
Google Business Profile
The number one spot for any business looking to improve its online presence is undoubtedly Google Business Profile. Formerly known as Google Places and then Google My Business, this is the most influential of all free business directories—especially in the UK, where Google dominates the search engine market.
Listing your business on Google not only enhances your visibility in Google Search and Google Maps, but it also plays a crucial role in local search engine optimisation. A well-optimised Google Business Profile can dramatically increase your chances of being found by local customers looking for the services you offer.
Key features include the ability to add photos, business descriptions, services, opening hours, and direct links to your website. You can also collect and respond to customer reviews, which helps build trust and improves your local ranking. While verification via postcard is required, it’s a quick and straightforward process—and well worth the effort. Be sure to complete the Services section in detail, as this improves performance in mobile and voice searches, making your listing more visible when people search on the go.
For any business serious about search engine optimisation, claiming and optimising your Google Business Profile is an absolute must.
Yell
Yell is one of the UK’s most recognisable business directories, offering a wide-reaching platform that helps boost your online visibility across multiple channels. In addition to being indexed by Google, a Yell listing ensures your business appears in search results on Yell.com and its mobile app—giving you access to a wide audience of users actively searching for local services.
As a well-established free business directory, Yell makes it simple to set up a professional listing. You can include your business description, logo, contact details, opening hours, and a direct link to your main website. One of the most powerful features is the Services/Products section, where you can add a large number of relevant keywords to help improve your visibility both within Yell and in broader search engine results.
To make the most of your listing and support your search engine optimisation efforts, it’s also recommended to add links to your social media profiles. This not only builds trust with potential customers but also strengthens your overall online presence—making Yell an essential part of your off-page SEO strategy.
FreeIndex
FreeIndex has been a trusted name among free business directories since 2003, offering UK businesses an excellent platform to boost their online visibility. Adding your company to FreeIndex is completely free and can significantly support your off-page search engine optimisation strategy.
Not only does FreeIndex provide a valuable backlink to your website, but it is also crawled frequently by Google, meaning your listing can appear in Google search results within as little as 24 hours. This makes it one of the most effective business directories for gaining quick exposure.
To improve your ranking within the FreeIndex platform, it’s important to fully complete your business profile. The more information you provide—including services, photos, and contact details—the better your visibility will be. Customer reviews play a major role in pushing your business listing toward the top of FreeIndex results, offering both credibility and a positive impact on your search engine optimisation efforts.
Lacartes
Although this is a relatively new addition to the world of business directories, it has quickly gained credibility and is already well regarded by Google. Listings are approved promptly, giving your business a fast track to increased visibility. As part of your broader search engine optimisation strategy, getting listed here can help strengthen your online presence.
The directory itself has a sleek, professional design that allows your business to stand out. One standout feature is the ability to upload a header photo, giving your listing a polished, branded appearance that adds trust and visual appeal.
To make the most of your free listing, be sure to complete all relevant sections—especially the “Offering” field. This is where you should include key search terms related to your services. By integrating relevant keywords naturally, you increase the chances of your business being found both within the directory and in external search engine results, giving your off-page SEO efforts a valuable boost.
Scoot
Scoot is a well-established name in the UK business directories space and has the added advantage of powering listings for high-profile sites like The Independent, The Mirror and Touch Local. This wide distribution means that listing your business on Scoot gives you multiple points of online exposure—an important part of any search engine optimisation strategy.
While Scoot doesn’t provide a direct backlink to your website in its free listings, it does allow links to your social media profiles, helping to drive engagement and support your broader online presence. For businesses looking to improve their visibility across the web, Scoot is still a smart inclusion in your off-page SEO efforts.
An upgraded listing is available for £199 + VAT, which unlocks additional features including a priority placement in the directory. This premium option can further improve your chances of being discovered by potential customers, particularly in competitive categories.
Cylex
Cylex is one of the more popular free business directories and stands out due to its human-edited approach, which helps maintain listing quality and relevance. Because of this, Cylex tends to perform well with Google’s search algorithms, making it a valuable addition to your search engine optimisation strategy.
Operating in over 30 countries, the Cylex business directory has international reach but remains highly effective for local UK businesses. It allows you to build a rich and detailed business profile with multiple keywords, long and short descriptions, a company logo, contact details, and more. This level of customisation helps your business stand out and improves the chances of appearing in both directory searches and broader Google search results.
Cylex also offers features that enhance credibility and visibility, making it one of the top off-page SEO resources for small and local businesses aiming to improve their online footprint.
Bing Places for Business
Bing Places is another excellent choice when building your presence across high-quality business directories. While Bing holds a smaller share of the search engine market (around 2–3%), its results are the default on all Windows-based PCs and Microsoft devices, meaning your business can still reach a substantial audience.
As a free business directory, Bing Places offers a simple and effective way to support your off-page search engine optimisation efforts. It helps improve your visibility across Microsoft’s search ecosystem, including Bing, Cortana, and Microsoft Edge.
If you already have a Google Business Profile, Bing Places makes setup even easier—just sign up and import your existing listing. This streamlined process allows you to quickly create a consistent online presence across multiple platforms, further strengthening your search engine optimisation strategy with minimal extra effort.
Yelp
Yelp is a well-known global platform and one of the most widely used business directories for local businesses. It offers a variety of free features that make it a valuable asset for your search engine optimisation strategy, especially when building local credibility and visibility.
As one of the more robust free business directories, Yelp allows you to create a detailed profile that includes a link to your website, business categories, opening hours, contact details, photos, and customer reviews. These features not only help users make informed choices but also contribute to your online authority in the eyes of search engines.
Yelp has recently streamlined its registration process, making it easier than ever to get your business listed. Whether you’re just starting out or improving your off-page SEO, adding your company to Yelp is a smart move that supports long-term growth in local search rankings.
Hotfrog
Hotfrog is a well-established business directory that provides all the standard features you’d expect—business descriptions, contact details, website links, and categories. What makes Hotfrog stand out among other free business directories is its unique option to post news and updates about your company directly on your profile. This dynamic feature allows you to add fresh, keyword-rich content regularly, supporting your off-page search engine optimisation while keeping your listing relevant and engaging. For businesses serious about increasing online visibility, it’s definitely worth five minutes of your time to get listed on Hotfrog.
UK Small Business Directory
The UK Small Business Directory is a long-standing, human-edited platform that supports small businesses with structured listings in microdata format, which is great for enhancing visibility in search engine results. As one of the more detailed and well-maintained free business directories, it offers solid support for your off-page search engine optimisation efforts. It’s definitely worth the time to create a listing here—and when you do, don’t forget to thank Tim for running one of the UK’s best small business directories!
Other free business directories to consider
Open Di – Open Di is a human-edited business directory with a PageRank of 7, making it a solid platform for improving your website’s credibility. Listings are curated for quality, which aligns well with Google’s preference for trusted sources—beneficial for your search engine optimisation. While not as well-known as some directories, it’s still a worthwhile addition to your off-page SEO strategy.
Thomson Local – Thomson Local is a long-established business directory used by customers both online and in its printed form. It now offers free business directory listings that include a link to your website, helping support your search engine optimisation efforts. Its brand recognition and distribution make it a strong platform for small and local businesses looking to increase visibility.
Locanto – Locanto is more than just a free business directory—it’s also a classified platform that allows businesses to post service ads across the UK. It’s easy to use and gives your business another avenue to appear in search engine results. With the ability to include keywords and category targeting, Locanto can contribute to your broader SEO strategy.
The Trade Finder– Trade Finder is a UK-based business directory that offers both free and paid listing options. While it may take some time for your listing to be approved and published, having a presence on additional platforms still supports your overall search engine optimisation. Every additional citation and mention helps improve your site’s trust and relevance in the eyes of Google.
Europages – Europages is a well-regarded European business directory with strong domain authority, making it a useful asset in any off-page SEO campaign. It’s particularly valuable for UK businesses that serve or trade within European markets. With detailed listings, keyword optimisation options, and multilingual reach, Europages supports both visibility and credibility.
What you need to know
What are the best business directories to get listed in for SEO?
Without doubt, Google my Business is the best place to get listed for improving visibility on Google. It not only gives you an improved listing, people can add reviews and you can post regular updates all of which will help boost your SEO.
What else can I do to help with SEO for my business website?
If you have got yourself listed in all of these business directories and still want to do more then get in touch with us and let us help take your business SEO to the next level!
Do business directories really help with SEO?
Provided you use good quality business directories, then having a listing will be beneficial. You need to bear in mind that this is just one small part of the many factors that determine how well your website ranks on Google.
What might happen after I submit my free business listing?
I some circumstances you may receive a sales call from the directory asking you to confirm your details and then try to sell you a better listing. Politely decline…
Should I pay to get a premium business directory listing?
Sometimes it is worth paying a little extra to get a better listing, but only if you are guaranteed to get a link to your website. If you get a link with a free listing then don’t bother.
What are business directories?
Business directories are online platforms where companies can list their details, such as contact information, website links, and services. These listings help increase online visibility and drive traffic to your website.
Can I track the performance of my business directory listings?
Yes, tools like Google Analytics can show referral traffic from business directories. Some platforms also provide their own analytics to track views and interactions.
How long does it take to see results from business directory listings?
While some directories may improve your visibility within days, the full SEO benefits can take a few weeks to months, depending on your competition and other SEO efforts.
Want to know some more?
Our Business Directory expertise
Having been in the SEO business for over 15 years, we have a very good understanding of what it takes to optimise your website and get found online. We only employ techniques that are industry standard and won’t get you banned by the likes of Google if you try to fast track the system – it simply doesn’t work! Business directories are only one facet of the tools available to score well on Google, there are many other factors that come in to play.