The Best Business Directories in the UK

If you run a small business in the UK, a handful of directories will do most of the work of helping customers find you. Start with the free map and search profiles (Google Business Profile, Apple Business Connect and Bing Places), add one or two established general directories, then join the directory or register that matters most in your industry. Beyond that, extra listings bring diminishing returns.

This round-up describes the main options fairly, explains who each one suits, and shows where Search IT fits. Directories change their features and prices regularly, so always check a directory's own website for its current terms before you sign up.

How we chose

We focused on directories and platforms that UK customers actually use to find, check and contact local businesses. For each one, we looked at four things:

• Reach: whether it is widely used or appears often in UK search results.
• Relevance: whether it covers UK businesses in general or a specific sector well.
• Control: whether business owners can claim and update their own listing.
• Trust: whether the platform checks listings or reviews in some way.

We have not included directories that exist mainly to sell links, or those that appear neglected. We haven't ranked the directories against each other, because the right choice depends on your business and your customers.

General directories

Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile is the free profile that controls how your business appears in Google Search and Google Maps. For most UK businesses it is the single most important listing. You can add hours, photos, services, products and posts, reply to reviews and see basic insights such as calls and direction requests. Verification is required before your profile is fully live.

Apple Business Connect

Apple Business Connect is Apple's free tool for managing how your business appears in Apple Maps and other Apple apps. It matters because Apple Maps is the default map app on iPhones, so customers asking Siri or searching Maps will see this information.

Bing Places for Business

Bing Places is Microsoft's free business listing service for Bing search and Bing Maps. It lets you import details from an existing Google Business Profile, which makes setup quick.

Yell

Yell (yell.com) grew out of the printed Yellow Pages and is one of the best-known UK business directories. Businesses can be listed by category and location, customers can leave reviews, and Yell also sells advertising and marketing services to small businesses. It suits almost any local business that wants a presence on a long-established UK directory.

Thomson Local

Thomson Local is another long-running UK directory that started in print and now operates online. Like Yell, it lists businesses by category and location and offers paid marketing services alongside its listings.

Yelp and Trustpilot

Yelp operates in the UK and is strongest for restaurants, cafés, bars and personal services in larger cities. Trustpilot is a review platform used widely by UK businesses, especially those selling online or by phone. Both let you claim your business page for free and reply to reviews, with paid options for extra features.

Local and city directories

Local directories reach fewer people, but those people are often exactly the customers you want, and a link from a respected local organisation is a good trust signal.

• Chambers of commerce. Many local chambers publish a directory of their members. Membership is usually paid and comes with networking events and business support as well.
• Business Improvement Districts and town centre partnerships. Many town and city centres have a BID or similar organisation that promotes local shops, restaurants and services, often with an online guide.
• Council and tourism websites. Some councils and local tourism bodies list businesses, especially in hospitality, leisure and attractions.
• Nextdoor. A neighbourhood platform used in many UK areas, where residents ask for and share recommendations. Businesses can create a free page.
• Local news and community sites. Some local newspapers and community websites run business directories. Check that the site is active and well maintained before you list.

Industry directories

Customers in some sectors go straight to a specialist directory. If one dominates your industry, it is usually worth being there.

Trades and home services

• Checkatrade: a paid membership directory for tradespeople that carries out checks on members and publishes customer reviews.
• TrustATrade, MyBuilder and Rated People: platforms that connect homeowners with tradespeople, each with its own approach to vetting, reviews and fees. Compare their current terms carefully, because some charge per lead or job rather than a flat fee.
• Which? Trusted Traders: an endorsement scheme run by the consumer organisation Which?, where traders go through an assessment.
• Official registers: gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register to work on gas appliances legally, and customers can search it. Electricians registered with a competent person scheme, such as NICEIC, can also be found through that scheme's search.

Hospitality

Restaurants, cafés and pubs often benefit from Tripadvisor, OpenTable (for table bookings) and the main delivery apps, such as Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats, if they offer delivery.

Health, beauty and professional services

• Hair and beauty: booking marketplaces such as Treatwell and Fresha help customers find and book salons.
• Healthcare: NHS services appear on the NHS website. Private clinics and practitioners may use platforms such as Doctify. Practitioners in regulated professions should also check that their entry on their regulator's register is correct.
• Legal: the Law Society's Find a Solicitor service lists solicitors in England and Wales.

Free vs paid

The major map and search profiles are free, and many directories offer a free basic listing. Paid options usually add better placement, extra photos, lead generation, vetting or advertising.

When you compare a paid listing with a free one, ask:

1. Do my customers actually use this directory?
2. Does it check businesses and reviews, so customers trust it?
3. What exactly does the fee include, and is there a minimum contract?
4. Will I see how many people viewed and contacted me?
5. How easy is it to cancel?

Be wary of anyone who cold-calls offering a listing for an upfront fee on a directory you've never heard of. Check the website yourself first.

How to manage many listings

Once you're listed in several places, keeping everything accurate is the real work.

• Keep a master record of your business name, address and phone number, and use it for every listing.
• Keep a list of logins for every directory, stored securely, so you can update them quickly.
• Update everything when something changes, starting with your website and Google Business Profile.
• Check your listings every few months, and before bank holidays if your hours change.

Our guide to NAP consistency explains how to find and fix old or duplicate listings.

Where Search IT fits

Search IT is a general business directory covering the UK and other countries. It is smaller than the long-established names above, and we would not suggest using it instead of your Google Business Profile. It is designed to be a well-maintained listing that works alongside them.

• Every listing is reviewed by a real person before it goes live.
• Every plan includes online appointment booking and direct messages from customers.
• Premium listings can earn a Verified badge after a document check.
• Plans start at $0.99, shown in your local currency where available.

See our plans and pricing, or read more about how business directories work before you decide.