‘A business directory is like an online version of the Yellow Pages.’ - SEO Glossary, Conductor 

Once upon a time, before the internet came into our lives, the best way to get the name of your business into people’s minds was through the Yellow Pages: a large book filled with every company in every industry you could possibly imagine. 

Now that we have search engines, you may think that these lists have become null in void, but the truth is they now exist in a digital format, and any company or individual can create their own listings. Only today, they are known as online business directories. 

Aside from The Real Yellow Pages, there are plenty of options out there for your business, so how do you know which directories are right for your business, and where you should invest your time and money? Infoserve’s listing experts know all the tips and tricks.

What is a directory? 

Business directories are lists of businesses online, often so that information can be found easily by users. Companies that own directories will gather information about businesses and categorise them by industry, location and other key identifying information. 

The purpose of business directories is to drive traffic to websites via an external source. 

Examples of business directories 

Online directories exist in many forms, some more recognised than others: 



• Google Business Profiles
• The Yellow Pages - that’s right, they’re online now! 
• Facebook pages 
• Yell 
• Hotfrog 
• LinkedIn Company Directory 
• Apple Maps 

How to find the right directories for your business 

1. Understand your target audience

We’ve spoken about understanding your target audience more times than we can count, and we’ll do it again. And again. And again. 

And, when you’re searching for online directories that work for you, you need to know which platforms they use to hunt for businesses like yours. 

For example, a 20 year old influencer hunting for the best phone light isn’t going to search The Real Yellow Pages for this product, and they’re unlikely to use Google Maps to find a local business for it either. You need to know which platforms they’re using, which blogs they’re reading, and whether they’re more likely to use social media or search engines for this purpose. 

Otherwise, you won’t reach your potential customers and you will have wasted precious time and money. 

Consider: 

• Demographics 
• Interests 
• Behaviours 

2. Find general directories

Although there are some directories that it might seem pointless to join, the backlinks they generate can do wonders for your E-E-A-T rating by generating backlinks. 

As we know, high quality backlinks boost your trustworthiness to Google. You will want to look for directories like Google My Business, Google Maps, Apple Maps and Social Media. 

Whilst they might not generate the most traffic, they are free to join, and give more credibility to your business. So you need to make sure you’re on them.

3. Set up a Google Business Profile

Whoever your business is and whatever your business does, it needs to have a Google My Business profile. 

If you want to be found online, this is a non-negotiable. In fact, when Infoserve takes on new clients, regardless of whether you have signed up for Listings, SEO or Web Design, one of the first things we do is check your Google My Business profile. 

This is because it is one of the most powerful listings on the internet. 

Take a look at our blog to discover How To Optimise Your Google My Business Profile to ensure you are making the most out of its features.

4. Research industry specific directories 

Next, conduct research to identify industry specific directories that are relevant to your business. 

These directories are often more targeted and can provide valuable exposure to customers who are already interested in the products or services you offer. Look for directories that are well established and have a strong reputation within your industry. 

For example, startup makeup brands would do well in online beauty magazines that list their favourite beauty products with reviews and links to the website. 

We recommend: 



1. Conducting an online search: Use search engines to find industry specific directories by searching for directories with your company’s keywords. E.g. ‘Beauty product directories’, ‘holiday home directories,’ ‘japanese restaurant directories’. 
2. Use industry forums: When asked how they found industry specific directories, many professionals said they used online forums, discussions and networking events to find recommendations. 
3. Look at your competitors: Conduct research into your key competitors and discover which listings they appear in. This could be done by typing their name into a search engine. 
4. Consult the experts: Approaching listings specialists is a good place to start if you’re not sure what to look for. They know exactly where to look for the best listings, and can analyse the authority and traffic potential of business directories on your behalf, saving you valuable time and getting the best result possible. 

5. Don’t forget local directories

For businesses with a physical location or a local customer base, local directories are essential. 

These directories help improve your visibility in local search results and make it easier for nearby customers to find and contact your business. 

Be sure to optimise your listings on platforms like:



• Google My Business
• Yelp
• Yellow Pages
• Apple Maps 

6. Check the domain authority

When evaluating potential directories, consider factors like domain authority and website traffic. 

Directories with high domain authority are more likely to rank well in search engine results, providing valuable backlinks to your website. Additionally, directories with high traffic can drive more visitors to your business listing, increasing the chances of generating leads and conversions. 

Directories with low domain authority can harm your rankings so it is important to be vigilant, and not skim over this research. 

7. Track and evaluate performance 

Once you have listed your business in various directories, it's important to monitor and evaluate their performance. 

Track metrics like website traffic, leads generated, and customer inquiries to determine which directories are providing the most value. Use this data to refine your directory strategy and focus on platforms that deliver the best results.

By following these steps and investing time in finding the right directories for your business, you can enhance your online visibility, attract more customers, and ultimately grow your business. Remember, the key is to be strategic and selective in choosing directories that align with your goals and target audience.

Not sure where to start? 

At Infoserve, our Listing Manager allows you to manage your listings from one place. We help you increase your search visibility, manage reviews and posts, stand out on Apple Maps and even optimise for voice search, so you continue to profit from your online presence.