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What Are the Most Relevant and Valuable Web Directories for 2020?

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Valuable web directories play a different role today than they did historically. Internet users originally used them to find sites by category and topic on the Internet.

What Are the Most Relevant and Valuable Web Directories

Directories also made it easier for users to find what they were looking for when searching for specific products, services, answers, or information.

Web Directories Then and Now

Before modern search engines took over online queries, web directories were “THE INTERNET”.

The way web directories are used has changed significantly. However, they are still helpful and relevant. This was confirmed again during PubCon Virtual 2020.

If you missed it, you can still get access to recordings of every session by clicking the image below.

Click to buy a Pubcon VIrtual 2020 Conference Post Conference PassThe directories that didn’t keep up with the times are no longer around. Those that did continue to provide value to users are still relevant to businesses that are listed in and rely on them.

Once used solely as a link building strategy, web directories have now expanded to include more than just NAP details (name, address, phone number).

Even though Google gives more weight and value to highly niche-relevant contextual links than directory links, they do still provide value in the form of traffic and credibility.

Before deciding whether to create a directory listing for your business, you should evaluate each directory for how it:

  • Manages the directory: Stay away from those that allow any site to be listed; choose only those that are heavily moderated.
  • Markets itself: Submit to directories which are popular with end users, not only site owners.
  • Offers value: Stick with those that help connect website users with listed companies and have a purpose beyond SEO.
  • Represents your niche: If a quality directory is specific and relevant to your niche, go for it.

Orbit Local put together an awesome list of over 200 directories along with traffic, DA, and Moz spam score. These data points are useful for evaluating the quality of the directory.

There are two main categories of directories that still provide value in 2019. Some list all types of websites while others only list local businesses.

Well-Known Valuable Local Directories

First, we will list some of the more well-known and highly-valued local directories.

Google My Business

As you know, Google is the number one search engine. Not listing your business in Google My Business (formerly known as Google Places) would be a huge mistake.

It enables you to control not only how your company information appears in search results, but also on Google maps.

If you don’t currently have a Google My Business listing, get started building your profile today.

Bing Places

Local businesses and those with a physical address should add their company to Bing Places for Business. By listing your company in this free service, it will show up in local Bing search results.

Listing your business on Bing is a simple process.

  • Claim your listing
  • Complete your business profile
  • Verify your account

Be sure to keep your listing updated so that potential customers will have your most relevant information.

DirJournal

Originally launched in 2007 as a general web directory, DirJournal now focuses on local search and providing more value to users and site owners.

More than just a typical web directory, DirJournal allows site owners to create a complete site profile. This makes the user experience easier when trying to find businesses by category and location.

In addition, the blog posts and how-to guides written by professional writers attract traffic and add more value to its users.

Hotfrog

Small business owners who want to tell the world what makes them different should complete a profile and get listed on Hotfrog.

You can create coupons, add images, and include your keywords. The platform also has reporting tools that will show you which keywords are the most successful.

eLocal

eLocal’s mission is to connect customers with the local businesses whose products and services they need.

It has been around for over two decades and specializes in legal, insurance, home services, financial, and medical markets.

Yellow Pages

The directory that has been around the longest is the Yellow Pages. It started as a printed phone directory.

Today, it provides many free benefits to local businesses including letting them update their business details, payment options, hours of operation, and much more.

Most Well-Known General Directories

Below are the most well-known general web directories:

Best of the Web (BOTW)

Launching in 1994 as a general web directory, BOTW expanded its offerings over the years. It now includes directories for:

  • UK & Ireland
  • Blogs
  • The Web
  • Local Listings

Brownbook

Brownbook is a global business directory in over 200 countries. Site owners can:

  • List their company
  • Claim and verify it
  • Include relevant text, videos, and photos
  • Add reviews
  • Get alerts when someone visits their website

With more than 38 million global business listings, it gets approximately 100,000 monthly visits.

Aviva Directory

Founded in 2005, Aviva Directory continues to expand, improve, and adapt to the changes in technology and Internet-usage.

Listing submissions are highly selective, edited by humans, and organized by topic and region. This makes it easy for users to find what they are looking for quickly.

Jayde

Jayde is a business to business directory as well as a business search engine. Whether users are looking for a service, product, or specific company, the design of the site helps users find what they are looking for quickly.

Jasmine

A top Google pick, Jasmine Directory stands apart from spammy directories because they use editorial discretion and even highlight sites hand-picked by editors.

Although this might not sound helpful to site owners, it does add credibility to the directory and in turn, to the business listings included.

The bottom line when it comes to listing your site in web directories is relevancy, quality of the link profile, and value. If a directory is moderated for quality, valuable to users, and representative of your niche, it makes sense to add your business listing.

By listing your business in reputable directories, you are increasing your chances of potential customers seeing your website. You are also adding a level of trust for your company.

Image credit: Top Photo by Aubrey Odom on Unsplash edited in Canva.

Originally published Mar 18, 2019; updated 10/17/20 with current information and to fix broken links.

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Julie Weishaar

Owner at New Horizons 123
Julie works to grow small businesses, increasing their online visibility by leveraging the latest in internet and video technologies. She specializes in creative camera-less video production, custom images, content writing, and SlideShare presentations. Julie also manages HubSpot CRM, email marketing, marketing automation, and social media for her clients.
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Comments

  5. Hi Julie,
    This is awesome! thanks for sharing these resources with us.
    Really interesting. You make this process very easier through your handy guide. Thanks ! Keep sharing your valuable suggestions with us…

    Reply

  7. One of the useful information seen on internet today. thanks for sharing this valuable information with us. keep your good work.

    Reply

  8. Really a good stuff. this directories are used for web development and seo. thanks for sharing this information with us.

    Reply

  10. Great resource this. I’ve used a number of listing directories for my local business and get constant free traffic from them – especially Google Places which is a total no-brainer! Bing too is pretty underestimated and has brought be a number of customers!

    Reply

  11. I have heard their Directories in 2019 are harmful for the SEO activities. Many of the big bloggers mentions that directories are not working in 2019. Now i personally believe that directories is important for the SEO Activities. I am David Smith working in Digital Marketing industries for last 10 years. These directories are very helpful for the websites to ranks their page in google SERP first page. Thanks for this amazing article i like the directories list. keep going

    Reply

  12. Wow, thanks for breaking this down so well, Julie! There’s an ongoing argument nowadays whether web directories are still relevant or not. Some people strongly believe that it’s already a thing in the past or a “dead” strategy. Though, you have shared useful insights here that somehow debunks that theory about web directories. Indeed, it can help in building quality backlinks and I can’t wait to try these sites you’ve mentioned. I hope others will find this post useful just like I did. Thanks for posting. Cheers!

    Reply

    • Hi Davinder,

      The key thing is to always use EXACTLY the IDENTICAL information for every listing. The name must be My Company, Inc. if it is incorporated – not just My Company. The address should always be written the same way. So it is 1234 Main Street don’t write Main St or Main St. (just in case – they should be able to match those, but you never know).

      Always use the same phone number and it must be one someone answers as your business name. Do NOT use your toll-free number as your primary number. Put it in as a secondary number.
      Gail Gardner would love you to read ..How To Maximize Enterprise Business Shipping for Sustainable GrowthMy Profile

      Reply

  18. Hi there,

    Pretty interesting post, I discovered directories I’d never heard about. Just wanted to insist on Google My Business by adding some more information. I do think this is one of the most important ones.

    If you have a company and DO NOT have a Google My Business account, Google’ll DO it for you. So better do it yourself. As Julie saysm you can control the information you want to give to potential customers. This means you can add some information about where your outlet is located, when it opens and closes, but also briefly talk about your main products, special offers or even next coming events. You can add pictures as well, what would make your company much more attractive and friendly.

    You’ve got to keep in touch with your prospects. Some of them will leave comments — so pay attention to this. Don’t miss the opportunity to thank them for good comments and explain or apologize for the negative ones. You will probably be asked questions — questions you’ve got to answer pretty quickly if you want to keep a good brand image.

    Google My Business could be a hazard as well. It is actually a frequent occurrence that bad comments are written by competitors. Again, you need to answer properly. If someone says your products are shit, just reply “After looking it up, I am afraid to tell you there is no Mr. X in our data base”. This kind of stuff is important in order to not damage your brand image.

    There is something else you can do. I do not recommend you do it because this is not the aim, but it is possible. You can write comments yourself using other Google My Business accounts. This would increase your notoriety if you get caught. But if you do so, be sure your products and services are good. If not, you’ll get bad comments very quickly. Customers would expect a prestigious range of products and services with such good comments though. And try not to do it abusively. You might be punished by Google for that.

    There are a few other benefits in using GMB, but those are related to SEO, so I won’t get into it right now.

    Glad to contribute to your post, which was good already. Good luck for everything.

    Chris.
    IOMarketing would love you to read ..Las ventajas de disponer de un servicio de marketing externoMy Profile

    Reply

  19. It’s Really amazing information. We will use this and follow instructions. I am also trying to submit Google my business directory but i have big confusion is it work for e commerce sites. Please give your valuable suggestion for me. Thank you.
    Laura would love you to read ..Top 5 ways to save at KohlsMy Profile

    Reply

  22. Great list of business directories. I have found that one of the keys to getting your business online, especially for startups is submitting your business to reputable online business directories. Its also great for backlinks. Read my article on the best Business directories in Australia here: https://customwebcreations.com.au/the-best-business-directories-in-australia/
    Timothy allsworth would love you to read ..What are SSL Certificates and where do I buy them from?My Profile

    Reply

  25. Thank you for sharing this very informative write up. I’m sure that those web directories are really of great help.

    Reply

  29. Often webmasters say that web directories are obsolete and don’t include web directory web submission in their SEO strategies. But in reality, they are the pillars of any website. Without a web directory list a website can’t get the best foundation. Thanks for sharing the most basic and important information.
    Richard Ford would love you to read ..Get a helping hand to set up a company in UKMy Profile

    Reply

  31. Google My Business is definitely up there as far as top web directories. Anything related with Google has a chance to be super special, with all the money and clout and push behind the brand. Rocking list here. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  33. Hey Julie,
    great list. I learned of the Aviva directory which I didn’t know about before. And I’ve put it on my list, so thanks.

    What do you think about Abilogic directory?

    I like them because they give you one homepage link, and 4 deep links to your site.

    That’s an excellent deal because Abilogic is a highly trusted, old directory.
    Nikola Roza would love you to read ..Jaaxy Keyword Tool Review and Analysis (2019)- Don’t Buy Before You Read!My Profile

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  35. These directories come to my mind every now and then, but I never bother to look into them (assuming they are now a thing of the past). But clearly that’s not the case, and I will be looking a bit more into the ones you mentioned (DirJournal sounds especially intriguing).

    Thanks, Julie!
    Elvis
    Elvis Michael would love you to read ..How to Make Passive Income with a Job BoardMy Profile

    Reply

  36. Hi Julie, wow, it’s like you read my mind. I was just t hinking abou this yesterday and wondering if they were valid anymore. I do Google My Business but I’m not sure on Bing. I’m headed there next. Thank you for this timely and relevant article. Hi Gail!
    I will have to check out the others. I haven’t done these in years since I managed a retail online site back in the day when these were ever popular 🙂
    Lisa Sicard would love you to read ..3 Reasons Why Your Customers Have Lost Trust In YouMy Profile

    Reply

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