As a business owner, you're always on the lookout for new ways to increase visibility and drive traffic to your website. One often overlooked method is listing your website on business directories. Here are three reasons why you should list your website on business directories, the top elements you need to add to a business directory, and how to keep track of the directories you have listed your business on, so as anything changes in your business it is a lot quicker and easier to update your listing.

Why you should list your website on business directories in Australia?

1. Increased visibility: Listing your website on business directories can help increase your online visibility. This is because directories are typically highly ranked on search engines and have a large number of visitors, making it easier for potential customers to find your business.
2. Improved SEO: Business directories can also help improve your search engine optimisation (SEO). When you list your business on directories that have a high domain authority, it creates backlinks to your website. Backlinks are a signal to search engines that your website is reputable (if a quality site), which can improve your search engine ranking.
3. Targeted traffic: Business directories are often organised by category or industry, which means that users who visit these directories are often interested in a specific type of product or service. Listing your business on relevant directories can help drive targeted traffic to your website.

The top essential elements you need to add to a business directory listing

1. Business name, physical address, phone number: It is essential  that you make sure to include them all exactly as they appear on your website, and your Google Business Profile Listing.  This is commonly referenced as your NAP
   
   NAP in regards to Google SEO refers to the business name, address, and phone number of a company. These three elements are critical for local SEO because they help Google and other search engines determine the legitimacy and location of a business.
   
   If a business has inconsistent NAP information across different directories or websites, it can confuse search engines and customers, leading to lower search rankings and potentially lost business. This is why it's crucial to ensure that your business's NAP information is consistent across all online directories and platforms.
2. Website URL: Include a link to your website.
3. Business description: Write a brief description of your business that highlights what you do and what makes you unique.  Throw in a number of keywords into your description that make sense in your sentence, but be careful not to come across as forced - remember your listing is for the benefit of actual humans and not just crawlers
4. Business categories: Choose the relevant categories for your business
5. Images and videos: Add high-quality images and videos to make your listing more engaging.  Where possible save the image as a name that is relevant to search terms relating to the image.
6. Reviews and ratings: Encourage your customers to leave reviews and ratings on your listing.
7. Social media links: Include links to your social media profiles to increase your social media following.

How to keep track of the directories you have listed your business on

1. Create a spreadsheet and list all the directories you have submitted your business to.  Include link, contact details, logins, listing content etc (so you have all in one location to quickly review)
2. Verify your listings to ensure that your business information is accurate and up to date  (at least once a year).
3. Monitor your reviews on a regular basis and ratings on each directory and respond to any feedback or questions.
4. Update your listings: Update your listings if your business information changes or if you want to add more information or images.

Top Australian Business Directories 2023

Bloomtools' have put together a list of recommended business directories ordered by domain authority (calculated by MOZ) as of March 2023. 
Please note, it is just as important to list your business on local and industry relevant (look to your associations, industry bodies, industry experts etc) directoriestoo as Google ranks them just as high.  Do a Google search to find the ones you should list on.

Most of these are Australian directories for local businesses, but we've also cheated a little by including a few from outside of Australia that are now simply too big to ignore (Apple, Facebook, Google My Business).

Don't go wild and submit your website to all of them - some will be more relevant to your business and target audience than others.

1. Google Business Profile

Domain authority: 100

Link:https://www.google.com/business/

About Google Business Profile: 

A Google Business Profile is an integral part of being successful on Google as it provides a wide range of opportunities to be listed on SERPs. More than that, your business profile counts as a directory and helps potential clients and customers find you.

2. Apple Maps 

Domain Authority: 100

Link:https://www.apple.com/au/maps/ 

Apple Maps is a fantastic directory with high-ranking domain authority. Working similarly to Google Maps (a part of the Google Business Profile), it’s a great opportunity to have your business found online. 

3. Facebook: 

Domain Authority: 96

Link:https://www.facebook.com/

If your business isn’t already on Facebook, you should stop what you’re doing and quickly change that. 

Not only is it a high-quality link to your business, but, 80% of Australians use social media. And, that 80% could easily find your business and support it using the platform. 

If your business already is on Facebook, you can improve it by making sure all of your details are up to date and correct and by regularly posting content to generate more traffic and reviews.

4. FourSquare

Domain Authority: 92

Link: https://foursquare.com/

Less known than the previous directories in this list, FourSquare is an independent platform with high domain authority and often updated content. 

5. True Local

Domain authority: 82

Link: https://www.truelocal.com.au/

True Local has been helping Australians find local businesses across the country since 2006 and having your business listing on a website of this age and authority can help them find you, too.

6. Mumbrella

Domain authority: 78

Link: https://mumbrella.com.au/  

Mumbrella hosts a free service for Australian businesses to list their products and services in the media, entertainment and marketing sector. 

While limited to the businesses and services it can list, its domain authority is high and it’s a great opportunity for many Australian brands to boost their SEO strategy. 

7. Localsearch

Domain authority: 62

Link: https://www.localsearch.com.au/

A Gold Coast based directory, Localsearch functions similarly to other directories listed but on a smaller scale and with slightly lower domain authority.

8. Bing Places

Domain authority: 60

Link:https://www.bingplaces.com/

While Bing Places doesn’t generate as much traffic as Google Maps or Business Profiles, it’s still a must-have on your directory listings. 

It’s easy to create and sign up for. Plus, it’s easy to update and edit your details as they change.

9. Word of Mouth

Domain authority: 57

Link:https://www.wordofmouth.com.au/

With a more updated user interface than its competitors in this range, Word of Mouth is a great option for businesses looking to generate more search engine traffic. It's customer review-centric and often publishes lists like "top reviewed florists". 

10. Yellow Pages

Domain authority: 56

Link:https://www.yellowpages.com.au 

The very same company that used to drop those heavy books on your doorstep, Yellow Pages has moved their directory to an online platform for Australians to find products and services. 

The name alone still holds nearly as much weight as their printed books did, so you can count it as an effective directory to list your business.

11. Yelp

Domain Authority: 54

Link: https://www.yelp.com/ 

Globally, Yelp is a heavyweight in the directory world and has an emphasis on reviews. More locally (in Australia), Yelp is newer to the game and many of us are still getting the hang of using it. In this case, it’s a great opportunity to get your business ahead of the competition and listed. 

12. Hotfrog

Domain authority: 51

Link: https://www.hotfrog.com.au/

Hotfrog has a wide range of businesses with different services. There’s a good chance your website will fit in just fine.

And, with review features for visitors, you can provide the best services to rank above your competitors. 

13. Enroll Business AU

Domain authority: 51

Link: https://au.enrollbusiness.com/

On this directory, potential clients and customers can create accounts, and businesses can create business profiles. 

Similar to a few other directories on this list, the public can review services publicly. 

14. Flying Solo

Domain authority: 50

Link:https://www.flyingsolo.com.au

Flying Solo is a business community in which, typically, smaller businesses interact with one another and support each other with forums, resources and classes. 

As a directory, it’s used to find businesses that complement each other and is a potentially valuable backlink to your website. 

15. Start Local

Domain authority: 48

Link: https://www.startlocal.com.au/

Start Local, like other directories on this list, helps potential customers and clients search by both location and category to find the most reliable businesses in locations convenient to them. With a reasonable domain authority, this is a great opportunity to list your business. 

16. Dlook

Domain authority: 40

Link: https://www.dlook.com.au/

A free business directory, Dlook offers public reviews and the ability to search for businesses by keywords and locations (suburb or postcode).

17. Tripadvisor

Domain authority: 69

Link: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ 

Tripadvisor is one of the most well-known platforms for finding places to eat, stay, and explore. 

If your business offers services including accommodation, food and drink, or experiences, you should list it here. As well as giving you a platform that can generate traffic, Tripadvisor’s rating system can help your website’s rankings online.

You might also come across a few directories which target specific areas such as Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane.   If you're a local business only operating in one of these areas, it might make sense to add your listing to one of these sites.

However, because they are so limited the domain authority is mostly very low, and the benefit isn't usually worth the time it can take to set up your listing - it's better to spend your time and effort elsewhere.

In conclusion, listing your website on business directories is well worth the time to do and will continue to deliver long term results.  Keep an eye on our directory listings article here each year, as there will be new rankings, ratings and directories to add your business to.

Alternatively, if you would like us to manage this for you, help you with your Google Business Profile or other areas to help improve your ranking on Google, please do not hesitate to contact us.  We will be able to run a quick audit to find out if there is room for improvement and the key elements you need to work on, then recommend a strategy for you moving forward.