Module 7

Essential Directories

Not all directories are equal. Here's a prioritised list of the directories that matter most for UK businesses, starting with the essential ones every business should be on.

Tier 1: Essential Directories (Do These First)

What to do

These are the most important directories. Every UK business should be listed on these.

Step by step

  1. Google Business Profile — You've already done this! It's the most important of all.
  2. Bing Places for Business (bingplaces.com) — Microsoft's equivalent of Google Business Profile. Free to create, helps you appear on Bing and in Cortana searches.
  3. Apple Business Connect (businessconnect.apple.com) — Gets you into Apple Maps. Important for iPhone users using Maps for directions.
  4. Yell.com — The UK's largest business directory. High authority. Free basic listing, paid upgrades available (free is fine).
  5. Thomson Local (thomsonlocal.com) — Another major UK directory with high domain authority.
  6. Yelp UK (yelp.co.uk) — While more popular in the US, still valuable in the UK. Free business listing.
  7. Facebook Business Page — Not a traditional directory, but Facebook listings appear in searches and help establish your NAP consistency.

Tier 2: Important Directories (Do These Next)

What to do

After the essentials, add these to strengthen your citation profile.

Step by step

  1. Cylex UK (cylex-uk.co.uk) — Free business directory with good domain authority.
  2. FreeIndex (freeindex.co.uk) — Popular UK directory, collects reviews too.
  3. Hotfrog (hotfrog.co.uk) — International directory with UK presence.
  4. 192.com — UK directory derived from phone book data. Worth ensuring accuracy.
  5. Scoot (scoot.co.uk) — UK business search engine and directory.
  6. Central Index (centralindex.com) — Data aggregator that feeds many other directories.
  7. UK Small Business Directory (uksmallbusinessdirectory.co.uk) — Free SME-focused directory.

Industry-Specific Directories

What to do

These directories are specific to your industry and often carry more weight for relevant searches.

Step by step

  1. Tradespeople (plumbers, electricians, builders): Checkatrade, MyBuilder, TrustATrader, Which? Trusted Traders, Rated People, Bark, Gas Safe Register (gas engineers), NICEIC (electricians).
  2. Restaurants & cafés: TripAdvisor, OpenTable, Bookatable, SquareMeal, Time Out, local food guides, Good Food Guide (if applicable).
  3. Healthcare (dentists, doctors, etc.): NHS Choices, CQC, iWantGreatCare, private healthcare directories, professional body directories (GDC, GMC).
  4. Solicitors & legal: Law Society Find a Solicitor, SRA website, Chambers and Partners, Legal 500, local law society directories.
  5. Accountants: ICAEW Find a Chartered Accountant, ACCA directory, local accountancy association.
  6. Estate agents: Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket, The Property Ombudsman, NAEA Propertymark.
  7. Hair & beauty: Treatwell, Wahanda, local beauty directories, professional body directories.

Examples by industry

Priority industry directories: Checkatrade (paid but valuable), Gas Safe Register (if gas work), TrustATrader, MyBuilder, Which? Trusted Traders. These are where customers actively search for tradespeople.
Priority: TripAdvisor (essential), local food blogs, SquareMeal, Time Out, tourism websites for your area. Review sites matter hugely for food businesses.
Priority: NHS Choices (if NHS), CQC (mandatory), GDC register, local CCG/ICS listings. Professional directories establish credibility.
Priority: Law Society directory (must be listed), SRA, local law society. Consider Chambers/Legal 500 if you want to compete at higher levels.

Local Citations to Consider

What to do

Local sources help establish your geographic relevance.

Step by step

  1. Chamber of Commerce: Your local chamber often has a member directory. Join if you haven't.
  2. Local council business directories: Many councils maintain lists of local businesses.
  3. Local newspaper business sections: Some local papers have online business directories.
  4. Local business associations: Town centre partnerships, business improvement districts (BIDs), local trade groups.
  5. Community websites: Local community forums or neighbourhood websites sometimes list businesses.
  6. Tourism websites: If tourists might use your business, get on local tourism and visitor websites.

Priority directories identified: