What Local Listings You Actually Need for SEO
When it comes to local SEO, most UK small business owners have the same question:
“Do I really need to be listed everywhere online to show up on Google?”
Let’s be honest—between running a business, sorting stock, doing the school run, and juggling about 97 other things, nobody’s got time to faff around with endless online directories. And if you’ve Googled “local listings for SEO” recently, you’ve probably ended up in a black hole of contradictory advice.
So, let’s clear this up once and for all.
In this post, I’ll walk you through:
✅ Which local listings actually matter for SEO
❌ Which ones are outdated or not worth your time
📍 How to get listed (without pulling your hair out)
🔁 Why consistency is everything
💡 Bonus tips to boost your rankings using listings
And yes, there’s an FAQ section too—because if one more person asks whether “Yell still works”, I’m making it a drinking game.
First up, what are local listings?
Local listings (also called local citations) are online profiles of your business that usually include:
Business name
Address
Phone number
Website
Business category
Opening hours
Think of them like the online version of a Yellow Pages listing (but less 90s and hopefully more accurate).
Search engines like Google use these listings to:
Cross-check your business info
Determine your location
Understand what you offer
Rank you in local search results
But—and this is important—not all listings are created equal.
Some have a huge impact on your visibility. Others… not so much. Let’s dig in.
The Local Listings You Actually Need for SEO
These are the essentials—the listings that move the needle and are recognised by search engines (especially Google) as trustworthy sources.
1. Google Business Profile (GBP)
If you only list your business in one place, make it here.
Why it matters:
Google uses your Business Profile as the main source of truth. It powers:
Google Maps results
The Local Pack (top 3 listings under the map)
Your right-hand panel in search results
What to include:
Accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone number)
Website
Business hours (especially if you change them seasonally)
Photos of your premises, work, or team
Reviews—and your replies to them
Quick tip: Add your service area if you’re mobile (like a plumber or mobile hairdresser). You don’t need a physical shop to rank.
2. Bing Places for Business
Yes, Bing still exists. And it’s worth your attention.
Why it matters:
Not everyone uses Google. Older demographics, some laptops, and Microsoft-powered devices (like Surface tablets and Edge browsers) default to Bing. Also, Alexa and Cortana use Bing data.
Good news:
You can import your details directly from Google Business Profile to make it easier.
3. Apple Maps
Why it matters:
iPhone users searching with Siri or Apple Maps will see listings pulled from here. That’s a lot of people—especially in the UK where iPhones are popular.
Where to list:
Go to Apple Business Register and claim your spot.
4. Yell.com
Wait—didn’t you just say it might not be worth it?
Yes, but hear me out.
Why it matters:
Yell.com is a known citation source for UK businesses. It’s often scraped by other directories (which means your info spreads wider). And while it won’t magically bump you to the top of Google, it helps with consistency.
Top tip: Don’t get upsold into expensive advertising unless you really know it’s converting for you. The free listing is enough.
5. Facebook Business Page
Even if you don’t post regularly, just having a business page helps.
Why it matters:
It gives another trusted citation for your NAP details
Customers often search for you here before Googling
Reviews on Facebook also count towards trust signals
Set it up with your logo, link to your site, and basic info. If you do post regularly, even better.
6. Trustpilot / Checkatrade / Rated People / etc. (Depending on your industry)
Why it matters:
Review sites that are specific to your trade or industry often rank well in search—and they can bring leads directly.
Trustpilot is great for e-commerce and professional services
Checkatrade and Rated People are ideal for trades (electricians, gas engineers, builders, etc.)
TripAdvisor if you’re in hospitality or tourism
Pick one or two that your customers are most likely to visit or trust.
Example:
Kev, a kitchen fitter from Southend, got fed up with dodgy lead gen sites. He focused on Google and Checkatrade reviews only—and saw more leads from two solid listings than from ten weak ones.
7. Chamber of Commerce / Local Business Networks
Why it matters:
These may not directly boost SEO rankings, but they can provide:
Trusted backlinks
Local authority
Partnership opportunities
Many local authorities or councils also run directories of approved or verified local businesses. If your borough or county has one, join it.
Optional (But Sometimes Useful) Listings
Here’s the “nice to have but not critical” bunch. If you’ve got the time, go for it—but don’t prioritise these over the big guns above.
Hotfrog
Cylex
UK Small Business Directory
192.com (if you're comfortable sharing details)
Yelp (more useful in the US, but can help with citations)
Listings to Avoid or Approach with Caution
Some directories are:
Outdated
Full of spam
Require payment for listing removal
Don’t get indexed by Google anymore
If it looks sketchy or promises the moon for £29.99/month, steer clear.
Why Listing Consistency Matters More Than Quantity
This is the most overlooked point by small businesses:
You don’t need hundreds of listings. You just need a few strong ones—and for all of them to match.
In SEO speak, this is called NAP consistency:
Name
Address
Phone number
If Google finds “Sarah’s Sweets Ltd.” on one site and “Sarah’s Sweet Shop” on another—with two different phone numbers—it gets confused.
Confused Google = lower rankings.
Use exactly the same formatting everywhere.
Even small things like “High St” vs. “High Street” or “CO5 7ED” vs. “CO57ED” can cause problems.
How to Keep Your Local Listings Up to Date (Without Losing Your Sanity)
Once you’re listed on 5–10 solid platforms, the key is to keep them:
Consistent – Check for typos or mismatches
Updated – Change of phone, hours, or services? Update everywhere
Reviewed – Monitor reviews and reply promptly
Tool tip:
If you’re managing loads of locations or listings, tools like BrightLocal, Moz Local, or Yext can help automate and monitor things.
But for most UK small businesses, a spreadsheet and a calendar reminder will do the trick.
“I Thought I Was Everywhere… But Google Couldn’t Find Me!”
Claire runs a mobile beauty business in Colchester. She was listed on 20+ directories, but still wasn’t ranking on Google Maps.
After a quick check, she realised her listings used three different phone numbers and two versions of her business name. We helped her clean everything up, standardise her details, and focus on just 7 listings.
Three weeks later, she started appearing in the top 3 of local results—and finally got that Google Maps visibility she’d been chasing for months.
FAQs: Local Listings and SEO
❓Do I need to pay for local listings?
No, most of the essential listings are free. Be wary of any platform that makes it hard to leave or pressures you into premium upgrades.
❓Is it worth using a listings management service?
If you have more than 5 locations or no time to manage listings, yes. If you’re a solo operator or local business, a DIY approach works fine with a little time investment.
❓What if I work from home—should I still list my address?
If you’re a service-area business (plumber, consultant, etc.), you can hide your address on Google and still rank in your local area. Just be clear about your service zones.
❓How many listings do I need to rank?
There’s no magic number—but 5–10 accurate, consistent listings on trusted sites is a strong foundation.
❓Can I use a virtual office address?
This is tricky. Google may suspend listings that don’t represent a real-world location where customers can visit. Virtual offices are risky if used improperly.
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
SEO doesn’t reward you for spreading your business name across every dark corner of the internet. It rewards clarity, trust, and local relevance.
So instead of trying to get listed everywhere:
Pick the top 7–10 platforms
Keep your details consistent
Actively manage reviews on the ones that matter
Ignore the fluff and fake promises
You’ll be better off than 90% of small businesses who blindly follow outdated advice.
Need Help With Local Listings?
If all this still feels like too much, that’s what we’re here for.
At 99 Quid Websites we help small business owners across the UK get listed, found, and chosen. Whether you’re starting from scratch or cleaning up a listing mess, we’ve got your back.
✅ Local SEO strategies that actually work
✅ Listings audit + cleanup
✅ Ongoing SEO support for businesses like yours
👉 [Contact us today] for a friendly chat about how we can help you get found where it matters most—on Google Maps, in local search, and right in front of your ideal customer.
