For small businesses, every customer matters. And in a crowded market, you need every advantage you can get. Listing your business on the right platforms can put you ahead—without costing a single penny.
A local business listing is an online profile that contains essential information about your business — such as name, address, phone number (NAP), website, and business hours. These listings often appear in search results, map searches, and mobile apps.
What it is: Google’s free business directory that displays your profile in Search and Google Maps.
Best for: Every type of local business — from restaurants to service providers.
SEO Benefit: A fully optimized GBP increases your chances of appearing in the “local pack” and map results, which drive most local search clicks.
What it is: Microsoft’s version of Google Business Profile for Bing search and Bing Maps.
Best for: Businesses targeting Bing users and Windows devices.
SEO Benefit: Helps you capture traffic from Bing’s search audience and integrates with voice searches via Cortana.
What it is: Apple’s platform for managing how your business appears in Apple Maps and Siri searches.
Best for: Businesses that want to reach iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.
SEO Benefit: Increases visibility on Apple Maps, which is the default navigation app for millions of iOS users.
What it is: A review-driven platform popular for restaurants, salons, and service businesses.
Best for: Food, hospitality, home services, and retail businesses.
SEO Benefit: Yelp pages often rank in Google search, and positive reviews can boost trust.
What it is: One of the world’s largest travel-related review platforms.
Best for: Hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and attractions.
SEO Benefit: High domain authority and global traffic make it valuable for both local and international exposure.
What it is: A lead-generation platform for service providers.
Best for: Plumbers, electricians, photographers, tutors, cleaners, and other trades.
SEO Benefit: Your Thumbtack profile can rank for specific service-related keywords in your city.
What it is: A free business profile within Facebook’s ecosystem, including Messenger and Meta’s ad network.
Best for: Any business looking to engage customers via social media and collect reviews.
SEO Benefit: Facebook pages rank in Google search and serve as a trusted citation source for your business info.
What it is: LinkedIn’s official profile for businesses.
Best for: B2B companies, consultants, and professional services.
SEO Benefit: Strengthens your online credibility and can appear in searches for your business name.
What it is: A local search and discovery platform that supplies data to apps like Uber and Twitter.
Best for: Businesses wanting accurate location data across multiple third-party apps.
SEO Benefit: Adds another authoritative citation source, improving consistency for NAP data.
What it is: An online business directory aimed at small businesses.
Best for: Small and medium-sized local businesses in various industries.
SEO Benefit: Manta’s profiles often appear in Google search for business name queries.
What it is: A mapping service still used by millions and integrated into some GPS systems.
Best for: Any location-based business.
SEO Benefit: Ensures your location data is correct across navigation services.
What it is: The digital version of the classic phone book.
Best for: Local service businesses and brick-and-mortar stores.
SEO Benefit: Adds another trusted citation source, especially for local searches.
What it is: Your city or region’s official business organization.
Best for: Businesses looking for local credibility and networking opportunities.
SEO Benefit: Chamber websites often have strong local authority, which boosts your business trust score.
Free local business listings are one of the most cost-effective ways to get more visibility, customers, and credibility. By listing on the top platforms above and keeping your information accurate, you set a strong foundation for local SEO success.