We recently wrote about the importance of getting your business placed in online directories. In fact, our article on 11 directories guaranteed to boost your business has become the most widely read page in our blog farm.

So, by popular demand, we thought we’d dig deeper down the directory rabbit hole. 

Of course, both established and start-up businesses know about the Google Business Profiles and Yelps of our digital world, but there are many lesser-known top online directories that can augment your profiles that already exist on the web’s signature directories.

This was especially true with a family law firm that has been a client of the Avita Group for nearly ten years. When we began, the firm had very little online presence and relied heavily on word-of-mouth.

As part of our SEO for family law strategy, we created a new, highly SEO-optimized website and immediately set that new presence up with a Google Business Page. 

But then after deeper research, we created profiles in legal and local directories like AVVO and the local Chamber of Commerce.

Now, all these years later, this family law firm is one of the leading Southern California success stories with a retainer rate so robust that 60% of all new leads are referred out to other law firms.

No matter your business model, the point is that online directories – both big and small – create a successful sum of their parts. And the more profiles that exist, the greater the perception of your authority and expertise in your industry.

Want to list your business in multiple directories all at once? Click here to use SEMRush to sign up for directory assistance

 

Why Lesser-Known Free Online Directories Matter

1. Less Competition: Popular directories are saturated. Lesser-known ones give you a better chance to shine.
2. Niche Audiences: Many of these directories cater to specific industries or interests, helping you reach a targeted audience.
3. SEO Benefits: Diverse backlinks from reputable, albeit lesser-known, directories can improve your search engine rankings.
4. Local Focus: Some hidden gems are hyper-local, perfect for businesses looking to dominate their local market.

Here Are Our Favorite Below-the-Radar Free Online Business Directories

1. Alignable

Best for: Small-to-medium businesses and local networking

Every business and businessperson worth their salt has a LinkedIn profile, but networking on Alignable connects your business with over 9 million business owners in North America.

This platform is more than just a directory; it’s a network that connects you with other local businesses, fostering partnerships, shared innovations and referrals.

Key Features:

• Local focus: Alignable emphasizes connecting businesses within the same geographic area, fostering local partnerships and community.
• Networking opportunities: The platform makes it easy to connect with other business owners, potentially leading to collaborations or referrals.
• Recommendation system: Users can recommend other businesses, helping build credibility and trust within the community.
• Q&A forum: Business owners can ask questions and share advice, creating a supportive ecosystem for problem-solving and knowledge sharing.
• Free basic membership: Businesses can join and create a profile at no cost, making it accessible to companies with limited marketing budgets.
• Visibility boost: Having an Alignable profile can improve a business’s online presence and local search visibility.
• Event promotion: The platform allows businesses to promote local events, increasing community engagement.
• Industry insights: Alignable provides polls and surveys, offering valuable insights into local business trends and challenges.

While Alignable can be a valuable tool for local business networking and visibility, its effectiveness may vary depending on the level of adoption in your specific area. 

 

2. Brownbook

Best for: Global businesses 

With over 43 million business listings from over 220 countries, Brownbook offers international exposure often overlooked by competitors.

Brownbook is an online business directory that offers several advantages for businesses and consumers.

Key Features:

• Global reach: Brownbook is a worldwide directory, allowing businesses to gain international visibility.
• Free listing: Businesses can create a basic listing at no cost, making it accessible to companies of all sizes.
• User-generated content: The directory allows users to add and edit listings, potentially improving accuracy and comprehensiveness.
• SEO benefits: Having a Brownbook listing can help improve a business’s online presence and search engine rankings.
• Multiple categories: Businesses can list themselves under various relevant categories, increasing their chances of being found.
• Review system: Customers can leave reviews, helping build trust and credibility for listed businesses.
• Mobile-friendly: The directory is optimized for mobile devices, catering to on-the-go users.

While Brownbook can be a useful tool for online visibility, it’s worth noting that its effectiveness may vary depending on your specific industry and target audience. 

 

3. Hotfrog

Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses 

Hotfrog is an online business directory that offers several benefits for businesses looking to enhance their online presence. Hotfrog allows you to post product updates and offers, keeping your listing dynamic and engaging.

Key Features:

• Free listing: Businesses can create a basic profile at no cost, making it accessible to companies of all sizes.
• Global reach: Hotfrog operates in multiple countries, providing potential international exposure for listed businesses.
• SEO benefits: A Hotfrog listing can help improve a business’s search engine visibility and rankings.
• Detailed profiles: Businesses can include comprehensive information, including services, products, and contact details.
• Category-based listings: Companies can list themselves under multiple relevant categories, increasing their chances of being found by potential customers.
• Lead generation: The platform allows customers to contact businesses directly through the listing.
• Analytics: Hotfrog provides basic analytics on profile views and customer interactions.
• Mobile-friendly: The directory is optimized for mobile devices, catering to on-the-go users.

While Hotfrog can be a useful tool for online visibility, its effectiveness may vary depending on your industry and target audience. 

It’s generally recommended to use Hotfrog as part of a broader online marketing strategy rather than relying on it exclusively. Also, keep in mind that the level of user engagement and the quality of leads can vary across different regions and industries.

 

4. EZlocal

Best for: B-to-C businesses in the U.S.

EZlocal is an online directory that offers several advantages for local businesses seeking to enhance their online presence. 

Not to be confused with eLocal, EZlocal provides greater opportunities to boost your post and claim the best online real estate for your listing (albeit with a monthly fee).

Key Features:

• Free basic listing: Businesses can create a basic profile at no cost, making it accessible to companies with limited marketing budgets.
• Local focus: EZlocal specializes in promoting local businesses, which can be particularly beneficial for companies targeting specific geographic areas.
• SEO benefits: Having an EZlocal listing can help improve a business’s local search engine visibility and rankings.
• Multiple categories: Businesses can list themselves under various relevant categories, increasing their chances of being found by potential customers.
• Detailed profiles: Companies can include comprehensive information such as services, products, hours of operation, and contact details.
• Review integration: EZlocal pulls in reviews from other platforms, helping to build credibility and trust for listed businesses.
• Mobile-friendly: The directory is optimized for mobile devices, catering to on-the-go users searching for local businesses.
• Analytics: EZlocal provides basic analytics on profile views and customer interactions, helping businesses gauge their online performance.
• Additional marketing services: While the basic listing is free, EZlocal offers paid services for businesses looking to further enhance their online presence.

While EZlocal can be a useful tool for improving local online visibility, its effectiveness may vary depending on your specific location and industry. 

 

5. StartupBlink

Best for: Startups and tech companies 

StartupBlink is a global startup ecosystem map and research center that offers several advantages for startups, entrepreneurs, and businesses interested in the startup world.

Key Features:

• Ecosystem rankings: StartupBlink provides comprehensive rankings of startup ecosystems worldwide, offering valuable insights into different markets.
• Global visibility: Startups can gain international exposure by listing themselves on the platform, potentially attracting investors and partners.
• Networking opportunities: The platform connects startups with investors, accelerators, and other key players in the startup ecosystem.
• Data-driven insights: StartupBlink offers in-depth reports and analyses on global startup trends and ecosystem development.
• Free basic listing: Startups can create a basic profile at no cost, making it accessible to early-stage companies.
• Industry focus: The platform allows for categorization by industry, helping startups connect with relevant partners and investors.
• Resource hub: StartupBlink provides access to various resources, events, and opportunities for startups.
• Credibility boost: Being listed on a recognized global startup platform can enhance a startup’s credibility.

This online directory can put your global startup on the map for potential investors and collaborators to see.

 

6. Manta

Best for: Local and small businesses in the U.S. 

Manta is an online business directory and networking platform that offers several advantages for small businesses that includes a range of free tools along with your listing, including a website builder and SEO tools.

Key Features:

• Free listing: Businesses can create a basic profile at no cost, making it accessible to companies with limited marketing budgets.
• Local focus: Manta emphasizes local business listings, which can be beneficial for companies targeting specific geographic areas.
• SEO benefits: Having a Manta listing can help improve a business’s online visibility and search engine rankings, especially for local searches.
• Detailed profiles: Businesses can include comprehensive information, including services, products, hours of operation, and contact details.
• Customer reviews: The platform allows customers to leave reviews, helping build credibility and trust for listed businesses.
• Networking opportunities: Manta provides features for businesses to connect with each other, potentially leading to partnerships or collaborations.
• Business resources: The platform offers various resources, articles, and tools to help small businesses grow and succeed.
• Lead generation: Manta provides features to help businesses connect with potential customers who are searching for their products or services.

Manta can be a useful tool for small businesses looking to enhance their online presence and local visibility.

 

7. Superpages

Best for: Local and small businesses in the U.S. 

Superpages is a long-standing online directory that offers several benefits for businesses looking to improve their local online presence.

Key Features:

• Free basic listing: Businesses can create a basic profile at no cost, making it accessible to companies of all sizes.
• Established reputation: Superpages has been around for many years, evolving from traditional yellow pages to a digital platform, which lends credibility to listed businesses.
• Local focus: The directory emphasizes local business listings, which can be particularly beneficial for companies targeting specific geographic areas.
• SEO benefits: Having a Superpages listing can contribute to improving a business’s local search engine visibility and rankings.
• Detailed profiles: Businesses can include comprehensive information such as services, products, hours, and contact details.
• Customer reviews: The platform allows customers to leave reviews, helping build trust and credibility for listed businesses.
• Mobile app: Superpages has a mobile app, increasing potential visibility among on-the-go users.
• Additional advertising options: While basic listings are free, Superpages offers paid advertising options for businesses seeking more exposure.
• Integration with other platforms: Superpages is part of a network that includes other directories like Yellow Pages, potentially extending a business’s reach.

Superpages can be a valuable tool for local online marketing.

Making the Most of These Hidden Gem Online Directories

1. Consistent Information: Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is consistent across all listings.
2. Detailed Descriptions: Take advantage of any extra fields or description areas to provide rich, keyword-optimized content about your business.
3. Regular Updates: Set a calendar reminder to review and update your listings quarterly.
4. Leverage Unique Features: Each directory may offer special features like event listings or blog posts. Use them!
5. Monitor Analytics: Keep track of which directories drive traffic or leads to your site.

While the big-name directories shouldn’t be ignored, these hidden gems offer unique opportunities to expand your digital footprint. 

By diversifying your presence with free online business directory listings across these lesser-known platforms, you’re not just casting a wider net – you’re fishing in waters your competitors might have overlooked.

 

Avita Group – The Top Digital Marketing Company in Calabasas, California

Avita Group is one of the longest-tenured, five-star rated digital marketing agencies in California. Our clients often have had previous agency experiences and ultimately find a long-term home with Avita Group.

We offer fractional CMO services to boost your brand and your business by maximizing your SEO and PPC management, Online Reputation Management (ORM), and ways to become a LinkedIn ads expert to boost your business.

The Avita Group team boasts a collective experience of over 30 years in the industry led by Founder and CEO, Brad Weber, and has worked with a variety of multi-million dollar companies to help them improve their ROI, build better brand awareness, and mitigate negative online reviews.

Contact us for a free consultation to evaluate how we can transform and elevate your business.