Short answer: Start with five free listings: Google Business Profile, Apple Business Connect, Bing Places, Yelp, and a Facebook page. Use the exact same name, address, and phone number everywhere. Then add industry and travel sites that fit your business, such as TripAdvisor for tours and hotels. Check every listing every three months.
In this guide
- The 5 free listings every business should have first
- Why list in many places: keep your NAP the same
- 20 free business listing sites compared
- Best combos by industry
- 5 common listing mistakes
- 3-month listing maintenance checklist
- Where Korean travelers look: EODIGO
The 5 free listings every business should have first
If you only have one afternoon, spend it here. These five cover the maps and search apps most US customers open when they look for a place to eat, get a haircut, or book a tour. All five let you list your business for free.
- Google Business ProfileGoogle says creating a Business Profile and listing your business on Google is free. It puts you on Google Search and Google Maps, lets you add photos and posts, and lets you reply to reviews. Start here. Our Google Business Profile guide walks through each field.
- Apple Business ConnectApple calls Business Connect a free tool to claim your place card on Apple Maps. iPhone users see this card when they search in Maps or ask Siri. You can add photos, hours, and action buttons like order or book.
- Bing Places for BusinessMicrosoft describes Bing Places as a free platform for listings on Bing search and Bing Maps. You can import your Google listing instead of typing everything again.
- YelpYelp says claiming your business page is free. Many diners and shoppers check Yelp before they visit. Claiming lets you fix your hours, add photos, and respond to reviews.
- Facebook pageA Facebook page is free to create. Many customers use it to check if you are open, see recent photos, and send a quick message. Keep your hours and phone number in the About section.
Why list in many places: keep your NAP the same
NAP means name, address, and phone number. Search engines and map apps compare your details across many business directory sites. When they match, it is easier for them to trust that your business is real and open. When they don't match, customers may call an old number or drive to the wrong place.
Pick one exact version of your details and copy it everywhere. If your sign says "Suite 2B," don't write "#2B" on one site and "Unit 2" on another. Small differences like this are the most common reason listings look messy.
More listings is not always better. Ten accurate listings beat thirty half-finished ones. Focus on sites your customers really use.
Think about how your own customers search. A tourist may open Apple Maps on an iPhone. A local mom may ask on Nextdoor. A diner may scroll Yelp photos. Each free online directory is another door into your business, as long as the details behind every door are the same.
- Write down your official name, street address, phone, website, and hours in one note.
- Copy and paste from that note every time. Don't retype.
- Use a local phone number, not a personal cell, if you can.
- Use the same main photo and short description on every site.
20 free business listing sites compared
Here are 20 places to list your business. "Free" means a basic listing costs nothing. Most of these sites also sell paid upgrades or ads, and some industry sites charge fees or commission. Set-up times are rough estimates for one location and do not include waiting for verification.
| Site | Free basic listing? | Who sees it | Time to set up | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | Yes | Google Search and Maps users | 30-60 min | Pick the most exact category you can. |
| Apple Business Connect | Yes | Apple Maps and Siri users | 20-40 min | Add action links like book or order. |
| Bing Places | Yes | Bing search and Bing Maps users | 10-20 min | Import from Google to save time. |
| Yelp | Yes (claim page) | Diners, shoppers, service seekers | 20-30 min | Add at least 10 clear photos. |
| Facebook page | Yes | Locals and repeat customers | 20-30 min | Fill in hours and turn on messaging. |
| Instagram business account | Yes | Younger and visual shoppers | 15-20 min | Put your address and link in the bio. |
| Nextdoor Business Page | Yes | Neighbors in nearby areas | 15-20 min | Great for salons, spas, and home services. |
| TripAdvisor | Yes (claim listing) | Travelers planning trips | 20-30 min | Key for tours, hotels, and restaurants in tourist areas. |
| Yellow Pages (yp.com) | Yes | Searchers who use online yellow pages | 15-20 min | Check for old duplicate listings first. |
| Foursquare | Claim steps vary | Apps and maps that use Foursquare data | 10-20 min | Check the current claim process on their site. |
| MapQuest | Varies | Drivers using MapQuest | 10-15 min | Search for your business; fix it if it already shows. |
| BBB Business Profile | Yes (profile) | Shoppers checking trust | 15-20 min | A profile is free; accreditation is a separate step. |
| Local chamber of commerce | Often with membership | Local residents and other businesses | Varies | Ask what the directory includes before you join. |
| City or visitor bureau site | Often free or member-only | Visitors and new residents | Varies | Call your local visitor center and ask. |
| OpenTable (restaurants) | Paid plans | Diners booking tables | 1-2 hours | Only worth it if you take reservations. |
| Booksy / Vagaro / Fresha (beauty) | Varies by app | Clients booking salon or spa visits | 1-2 hours | Compare booking fees before you commit. |
| Booking.com / Expedia (lodging) | Commission per booking | Travelers booking rooms | 2-4 hours | Check the current commission on their partner page. |
| Viator (tours) | $29 submission fee per experience; commission on bookings | Travelers booking tours | 2-3 hours | Rates vary by location; see their supplier page. |
| Industry association directory | Often with membership | People looking for trusted pros | Varies | Look for your trade group's member list. |
| EODIGO | Yes (Standard listing) | Korean travelers planning trips | 10-15 min | We write your Korean description for you. |
Best combos by industry
You don't need all 20. Here is a smart starting set for common local businesses. Add the must-do five first, then the extras below.
A good rule: if you can't keep a listing up to date, skip it for now. A stale listing with old hours can hurt more than no listing at all.
- Restaurants and cafes: the five must-dos, plus Instagram, TripAdvisor, and a reservation or ordering link. If you get tourists, add a travel directory and a translated menu. See our restaurant page.
- Hair salons, nail salons, and spas: the five must-dos, plus Instagram, Nextdoor, and one booking app like Booksy, Vagaro, or Fresha. See hair salons and massage and spas.
- Hotels, inns, and vacation rentals: the five must-dos, plus TripAdvisor and one or two booking sites. Keep room photos and rates in sync. See hotels.
- Tours and activities: the five must-dos, plus TripAdvisor, one tour marketplace like Viator, and your visitor bureau. See tours and our guide to selling tours online.
- Retail shops and car rentals: the five must-dos, plus Nextdoor, BBB, and your chamber of commerce.
5 common listing mistakes
- Different details on different sitesAn old phone number on one site can send calls nowhere. Keep one master note and copy from it.
- Leaving duplicates liveOld owners or data companies sometimes create extra listings. Search your name and phone on each site and ask the site to merge or remove duplicates through its official help page.
- Wrong or vague category"Restaurant" is weaker than "Korean barbecue restaurant." Pick the most specific category offered.
- No photos or old photosCustomers want to see the place before they come. Add fresh photos of the front door, inside, and your top items.
- Ignoring reviewsReply to reviews, good and bad, in a calm and short way. If a review breaks a site's rules, use that site's official report button. No one can promise to remove a real review.
3-month listing maintenance checklist
Set a reminder every three months. The whole check usually takes under an hour once your listings are set up.
- Search your business name on Google, Apple Maps, Bing, and Yelp. Is everything correct?
- Update hours for upcoming holidays and seasons.
- Add 3-5 new photos to your main listings.
- Reply to any reviews you missed.
- Check for new duplicate listings and report them.
- Look at your Google Business Profile performance, like calls and direction requests.
- Update menus, prices, or services that changed.
- Make sure your website link still works on every listing.
Where Korean travelers look: EODIGO
If you are in a place Korean visitors love, like Guam, Saipan, or Hawaii, many of them plan with Korean-language apps and sites before the trip. English-only listings can be hard for them to read, so they may pick a place they can understand.
EODIGO is a free directory Korean travelers use to find local businesses. The Standard listing is free, we write your Korean description for you, and there is no commission. Pro ($30/month) and Premium ($200/month) plans are coming soon for businesses that want more. You can list your business for free in a few minutes.
Learn more about travel hot spots on our Guam, Hawaii, and Saipan pages.
FAQ
Is a free business listing enough?
For many small businesses, free listings are a strong base. They help people find your hours, address, and phone. Whether you also need ads depends on your goals and competition. Read how to advertise your business to compare options.
How many business listing sites should I use?
Start with the five must-dos, then add three to eight sites that fit your industry and customers. Accuracy matters more than a big number.
Do I need a paid listing service?
No. You can claim the main listings yourself for free. Paid services can save time if you have many locations, but they are optional. Read the terms and cancellation rules before you sign up.
How fast do new listings show up?
It varies by site. Some show up within days, while others need you to verify by phone, email, mail, or video first. Check each site's help page for its current verification steps.
What is the difference between online directories and review sites?
Online directories mainly list your details, like address and hours. Review sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor also collect customer reviews. Many sites now do both.
Sources
- Google Business Profile (free)
- Google Business Profile performance metrics
- Apple Newsroom: Introducing Apple Business Connect
- Bing Blogs: New Bing Places for Business
- Yelp for Business: claim your free page
- Nextdoor: free Business Page
- Tripadvisor: claim your free listing
- YP.com free listing
- BBB: get listed
- Viator supplier sign-up info
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Features and prices of other services change; check each official page.
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