Why Are Business Listing Sites Important?
Our industry has a long memory — which is why we at Thomas are still regularly identified by our days at the “Big Green Books,” even as millions of users now regularly source suppliers on the Thomasnet.com platform.
It’s no surprise, though, given that people are accustomed to searching and using directories, but not all manufacturers and industrial companies have moved online — and it’s long overdue.
In today’s digital age, if your online web presence isn’t optimized and you’re not putting your business in front of customers where they’re searching for you, then you’re missing out.
These avenues include search engines like Google and Bing, and online directories like Thomasnet.com.
Free business directory listings are also a very smart tactic for small business owners that are just starting out with their business development. Small businesses need to get visibility in as many channels as possible to compete with large and enterprise-level businesses, and local listings are a way to do that.
In short, free local business listings are an effective way for a business to:
Thomasnet
The 1.4 million monthly buyers who visit the Thomasnet.com platform makeup industry’s most qualified audience, and you don’t want to miss out on getting a free profile.
Since the Thomasnet.com Supplier Discovery Platform is more than just a directory, your online business listing will have more than just your business name, address, and phone number.
Thomasnet.com has the capability to list your online product catalog, white papers, press releases, and get listed across our 70,000+ industrial categories.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Thomasnet.com here.
Google My Business
To reach those who search on Google and Google Maps, you’ll want to claim a business page. Google Maps acts as the native local business directory for Google, and it's become a standard for local businesses of all types to get listed there.
From there, you can add photos, collect reviews, and update relevant company information — as well as drive traffic to your website through Google's local search results.
As an added benefit, many smaller local directories will pull information from Google's data, so you may find yourself listed elsewhere without extra effort.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Google My Business here.
LinkedIn
While LinkedIn is common for professional and personal use as a social media platform, it’s also a great place to list and showcase your company.
Not only is it great for general exposure, but you could also use LinkedIn for advertising, recruiting, and employee engagement, which is an all-around win.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on LinkedIn here.
Facebook
Facebook, the world’s largest social networking site, may not immediately come to mind when thinking of an online business directory, but it has grown in recent years to have robust features for businesses, and it’s definitely worth adding your company to at no cost.
Like LinkedIn, you can also use the platform to build your brand and connect with customers — although on Facebook specifically, you can chat via Messenger, target with advertising, and explore their connected apps as well.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Facebook here.
Bing
More than 33% of all queries on search engines in the U.S. occur on Bing, which is a strong case in itself as to why you should check out Bing Pages for Business.
According to the company, you can “tell the best story about your business” through posting photos, services offered, updating the hours of operation, and more.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Bing here.
Yelp
Probably the first name that comes to mind for most consumers when thinking about local business directories is Yelp. Yelp is a popular consumer review and photo centric platform that’s a great place to list your business, as, on average, Yelp has 92 million unique mobile users monthly.
This platform is definitely consumer-centric and is popular for restaurants, hotels, and other B2C establishments, but it doesn’t hurt to get your company a free spot on the site.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Yelp here.
YP (Yellowpages)
We all definitely remember receiving the Yellow Pages getting delivered to our homes, and—like many businesses — it has moved to an online home.
YP, which the company has rebranded to, is just as valuable for businesses who want to be available to those who are searching, especially since the platform allows users to ask questions and businesses to answer.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on YP here.
Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau represents a standard of trust for more than 400,000 businesses.
You can earn your accreditation and get listed on their website — and reach more than 140 million of their website visitors each year. (Bonus: There are also local BBB resources you can learn from!)
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Better Business Bureau here.
Dun & Bradstreet Business Directory
Another free business listing site that may not be immediately apparent to many business owners is Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). D&B provides data and analytics on businesses and industries to companies who want to make “intelligent actions.”
Some companies make it a regular practice to evaluate potential suppliers through this directory, so it’s worth signing up — D&B will pull public records and insights about your company, but you can also add more information.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Dun & Bradstreet here.
Apple Maps
While Apple Maps isn’t technically an outright business directory, it’s worth getting your company in their database merely for a local SEO play, which is crucial for a local business. You also get yourself in front of all the iPhone users that are doing local searches and voice search through iOS and Siri.
When searchers in your local community look for a business on their Apple device, Apple will pull in relevant business information from within a certain radius. This speaks to the importance of having accurate and up-to-date business name, address and phone number (NAP) information on your listings.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Apple Maps here.
Online Directories for Local Businesses
When it comes to listing your business online, you aren't limited to just using the free sites above. I've compiled the best directories on the web to list your business.
Our industry has a long memory — which is why we at Thomas are still regularly identified by our days at the “Big Green Books,” even as millions of users now regularly source suppliers on the Thomasnet.com platform.
It’s no surprise, though, given that people are accustomed to searching and using directories, but not all manufacturers and industrial companies have moved online — and it’s long overdue.
In today’s digital age, if your online web presence isn’t optimized and you’re not putting your business in front of customers where they’re searching for you, then you’re missing out.
These avenues include search engines like Google and Bing, and online directories like Thomasnet.com.
Free business directory listings are also a very smart tactic for small business owners that are just starting out with their business development. Small businesses need to get visibility in as many channels as possible to compete with large and enterprise-level businesses, and local listings are a way to do that.
In short, free local business listings are an effective way for a business to:
- Gain exposure to more customers.
- Maintain accurate company and product information.
- Optimize for search engines and local SEO.
Thomasnet
The 1.4 million monthly buyers who visit the Thomasnet.com platform makeup industry’s most qualified audience, and you don’t want to miss out on getting a free profile.
Since the Thomasnet.com Supplier Discovery Platform is more than just a directory, your online business listing will have more than just your business name, address, and phone number.
Thomasnet.com has the capability to list your online product catalog, white papers, press releases, and get listed across our 70,000+ industrial categories.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Thomasnet.com here.
Google My Business
To reach those who search on Google and Google Maps, you’ll want to claim a business page. Google Maps acts as the native local business directory for Google, and it's become a standard for local businesses of all types to get listed there.
From there, you can add photos, collect reviews, and update relevant company information — as well as drive traffic to your website through Google's local search results.
As an added benefit, many smaller local directories will pull information from Google's data, so you may find yourself listed elsewhere without extra effort.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Google My Business here.
While LinkedIn is common for professional and personal use as a social media platform, it’s also a great place to list and showcase your company.
Not only is it great for general exposure, but you could also use LinkedIn for advertising, recruiting, and employee engagement, which is an all-around win.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on LinkedIn here.
Facebook, the world’s largest social networking site, may not immediately come to mind when thinking of an online business directory, but it has grown in recent years to have robust features for businesses, and it’s definitely worth adding your company to at no cost.
Like LinkedIn, you can also use the platform to build your brand and connect with customers — although on Facebook specifically, you can chat via Messenger, target with advertising, and explore their connected apps as well.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Facebook here.
Bing
More than 33% of all queries on search engines in the U.S. occur on Bing, which is a strong case in itself as to why you should check out Bing Pages for Business.
According to the company, you can “tell the best story about your business” through posting photos, services offered, updating the hours of operation, and more.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Bing here.
Yelp
Probably the first name that comes to mind for most consumers when thinking about local business directories is Yelp. Yelp is a popular consumer review and photo centric platform that’s a great place to list your business, as, on average, Yelp has 92 million unique mobile users monthly.
This platform is definitely consumer-centric and is popular for restaurants, hotels, and other B2C establishments, but it doesn’t hurt to get your company a free spot on the site.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Yelp here.
YP (Yellowpages)
We all definitely remember receiving the Yellow Pages getting delivered to our homes, and—like many businesses — it has moved to an online home.
YP, which the company has rebranded to, is just as valuable for businesses who want to be available to those who are searching, especially since the platform allows users to ask questions and businesses to answer.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on YP here.
Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau represents a standard of trust for more than 400,000 businesses.
You can earn your accreditation and get listed on their website — and reach more than 140 million of their website visitors each year. (Bonus: There are also local BBB resources you can learn from!)
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Better Business Bureau here.
Dun & Bradstreet Business Directory
Another free business listing site that may not be immediately apparent to many business owners is Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). D&B provides data and analytics on businesses and industries to companies who want to make “intelligent actions.”
Some companies make it a regular practice to evaluate potential suppliers through this directory, so it’s worth signing up — D&B will pull public records and insights about your company, but you can also add more information.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Dun & Bradstreet here.
Apple Maps
While Apple Maps isn’t technically an outright business directory, it’s worth getting your company in their database merely for a local SEO play, which is crucial for a local business. You also get yourself in front of all the iPhone users that are doing local searches and voice search through iOS and Siri.
When searchers in your local community look for a business on their Apple device, Apple will pull in relevant business information from within a certain radius. This speaks to the importance of having accurate and up-to-date business name, address and phone number (NAP) information on your listings.
Learn more about getting a free business listing on Apple Maps here.
Online Directories for Local Businesses
When it comes to listing your business online, you aren't limited to just using the free sites above. I've compiled the best directories on the web to list your business.
- Google My Business (Domain Rating = 98)
- Facebook Pages (Domain Rating = 100)
- Instagram for Business (Domain Rating = 99)
- LinkedIn Company Directory (Domain Rating = 98)
- Apple Maps (Domain Rating = 97)
- Yelp (Domain Rating = 95)
- Bing (Domain Rating = 93)
- HubSpot's Solutions Directory (Domain Rating = 93)
- Better Business Bureau (Domain Rating = 93)
- MapQuest (Domain Rating = 91)
- Foursquare (Domain Rating = 91)
- Angi, FKA Angie’s List ( Domain Rating = 91)
- Thumbtack (Domain Rating = 90)
- Yellow Pages (Domain Rating = 90)
- Nextdoor (Domain Rating = 89)
- Manta (Domain Rating = 87)
- Merchant Circle (Domain Rating = 85)
- YellowBook.com (Domain Rating = 81)
- ChamberofCommerce.com (Domain Rating = 81)
- Dun & Bradstreet Business Directory (Domain Rating = 79)
- Brownbook.net (Domain Rating = 79)
- Local.com (Domain Rating = 78)
- Turbify (Domain Rating = 78)
- EZlocal (Domain Rating = 77)
- eLocal.com (Domain Rating = 77)
- EBusinessPages (Domain Rating = 76)
- City Squares (Domain Rating = 75)
- BOTW (Domain Rating = 74)
- iBegin (Domain Rating = 73)
- Neustar Localeze (Domain Rating = 73)
- Spoke (Domain Rating = 73)
- GoLocal247 (Domain Rating = 73)
- Call Up Contact (Domain Rating = 73)
- n49.com (Domain Rating = 73)
- Cybo (Domain Rating = 73)
- Just Landed (Domain Rating = 72)
- Tuugo.us (Domain Rating = 72)
- Lacartes (Domain Rating = 72)
- City Local Pro (Domain Rating = 72)
- Yellow.Place (Domain Rating - 72)
- Hub.biz (Domain Rating = 72)
- Cylex US (Domain Rating = 72)
- Fyple.com (Domain Rating = 68)
- Opendi.us (Domain Rating = 67)
- ExpressBusinessDirectory.com (Domain Rating = 66)
- My Huckleberry (Domain Rating = 65)
- Bizhwy.com (Domain Rating = 65)
- DirJournal.com (Domain Rating = 58)
- USdirectory.com (Domain Rating = 58)
- Finduslocal.com (Domain Rating = 56)
