Places to list your business phone number for free

How often do you search online for a business’s phone number? Whether it’s to call a restaurant for a reservation or check a store’s hours, consumers are looking to connect with businesses like yours every day—and they expect to find that information online instantly.

If your number isn’t easy to find, potential customers might give up and move on to a competitor. That’s why listing your business phone number across multiple listings is essential. The good news? Many of these listings are completely free. They only require a little effort on your part to take advantage of them.

From your Google listing to top online business directories, we’re covering the best free places to place your business phone number, plus some tips to help you get the most out of your listings. Let’s get started.

Why business listings matter for visibility and SEO

Being present in an online business directory boosts your visibility and helps people find you faster. Think about it. How many times have you searched for a business and just called the number that popped up in the listing without even clicking through to their website? You’re not alone.

Most consumers are looking for quick answers, especially on mobile. If your listing shows up first with accurate info, you’re already ahead of the game. That phone number might be your one shot at capturing their interest, so making sure it’s correct and easy to find is key.

Search engines use business listings to verify your credibility, as well. When your name, address and phone number (often referred to as NAP) are consistent across platforms, it signals trust and can improve your local search rankings–a powerful form of search engine optimization (SEO).

Having your phone number listed on reputable directories can also reassure potential customers. According to Google, customers are 70 percent more likely to visit and 50 percent more likely to consider purchasing from businesses with a complete Business Profile on Google. Plus, when they see positive reviews, that social proof makes it even easier to choose you over a competitor.

Top online business directories to list your number

When it comes to boosting your business’s visibility, listing your phone number on multiple platforms is crucial. Here are some of the places you can list your business phone number for free.

Google Business Profile

Let’s start with the big one. Google business listings (also known as Google Business Profile) are essential for any business. When someone searches for your company—or even just the service you offer in their area—Google may show your profile in the map pack. Your Business Profile is free to create and personalize, so don’t hesitate to create or claim your listing, and make sure your phone number, address, hours and other details are accurate and up-to-date.

Bing Places for Business

While Bing might not have Google’s reach, it still accounts for 12.23 percent of the global search market and is often integrated with searches on Microsoft products. Listing your business on Bing Places for Business is free and ensures you’re not missing out on customers who prefer Microsoft’s search engine. It’s a quick setup that can complement your Google efforts.

Apple Maps

Many iPhone owners rely on Apple Maps instead of Google. By submitting your information through the free platform Apple Business Connect, you ensure that your business phone number and details reach another key segment of potential customers.

Yelp

Yelp is a trusted source of information for many, especially when it comes to local businesses like restaurants, real estate agents, coffee shops and beauty salons. While the platform offers paid advertising and guest management solutions, claiming and managing your listing is free. A well-managed Yelp listing that includes business information, photos and reviews can attract new customers and help build your reputation. It’s a platform where consumer opinion really matters, so encourage your happy customers to leave a review.

Facebook Page

Having a dedicated Facebook Page means your phone number and other key details can be seen and be accessed by the platform’s billions of active users. It’s also a great (and free!) way to engage with customers through messages, reviews and regular updates about your services.

Industry-specific directories

Don’t overlook business listing sites that are unique to your industry. For instance, if you’re a hotel, you’ll want to list your hotel online on platforms like TripAdvisor. If you’re a restaurant, OpenTable is a popular option. Other examples include:

• Zocdoc and Healthgrades for healthcare
• Avvo and Justia for legal services
• Houzz and Angi for home service professionals

These listings often rank well on search engines and can give your business extra exposure to the right audience.

Note that while you can create or update your listing on these directories for free, most also offer solutions—like advertising, booking tools or client communication features—that come at a cost. Do your homework to see what’s available and decide what’s worth the investment.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) and traditional directories

While platforms like the BBB and Yellowpages might not drive tons of traffic on their own these days, they still serve an important purpose. It’s free to submit your business to both—and you don’t even need to be accredited by the BBB to get listed.

These traditional directories are considered authoritative sources by search engines, which makes them helpful for SEO. Listing your business phone number and contact details on a local business directory can help search engines confirm that your business is legitimate and trusted.

In other words, even if potential customers aren’t actively browsing YellowPages.com, search engines are still paying attention. Think of each local business listing as one more signal to Google that your business is real, established and worth showing to searchers.

Business phone directory requirements

Before your business can show up in a phone directory or online listing, there are typically a few steps to complete—and for good reason. Business phone directories are meant to help customers find real, trustworthy businesses, so most platforms have some kind of verification process. That usually includes confirming your business phone number, address or website.

Directories may require you to verify your business through phone, text, email, video recording or even mail to confirm that you’re the real deal. Because these verification steps hinge on reliable contact details, having a dedicated, accurate phone number will make it easier to get listed and verified. If you haven’t already, it might be time to get a business phone number so you can take full advantage of these free listings.

Best practices for listing your business phone number

Before you start adding your business phone number to every directory you can find, it’s worth taking a few minutes to get organized. A little planning up front can save you time and help you show up better in search results. Here are some best practices to keep in mind.

1. Keep your details consistent

The first rule of thumb is to ensure your business information is consistent on every platform. This not only makes it easier for customers to find you, but also boosts your search engine credibility. When search engines spot discrepancies between listings, they might assume something’s off. If you’ve already submitted your information, double-check every listing to make sure the information is the same everywhere.

2. Create a cheat sheet

Before you start listing your business on any new directories, consider creating a cheat sheet with all the frequently requested details. Include your phone number, business name, physical address, website URL, hours of operation and a brief description of your services. Having a master document makes it easier to copy and paste the same information, ensuring you don’t miss any important details or make any mistakes across different platforms.

3. Fill out as much information as you can

Most directories give you the option to add more than just your phone number—and you should take advantage of that. Add your business hours, categories, services offered, links to your website and social media accounts, and any other applicable details.

Each additional piece of information can help potential customers get a clearer picture of what your business offers. Customers who find a complete Business Profile on Google Maps and Google Search are 2.7 times more likely to consider that business reputable.

For instance, if you’re a restaurant, upload images of your menu and some photos of your space. If you’re a service provider, listing out your specialties and price ranges can set clear expectations right from the start. The more complete your listing, the more useful it is to potential customers (and the more favorably search engines may treat it).

4. Encourage and manage reviews

Customer reviews are a major asset. They not only build trust with prospective customers, but also improve your rankings in many online directories. Ask for reviews from your satisfied customers and make sure to respond to any feedback (both positive and negative) in a timely and professional manner.

5. Regularly update your listings

Make a habit of checking your listings every few months to ensure that all your information is up to date. If you change your phone number or hours of operation, update all your listings immediately to avoid any confusion.

Some platforms, like Google Maps and Yelp, even display little badges that let viewers know when your page was last updated, so keeping things fresh can give your business an extra boost of credibility and show customers you’re active and engaged.

Make business listings work for you

Getting your business phone number out there might seem like a small thing, but when it’s listed in the right places, it can make a big impact. Free business listings are a straightforward way to boost your visibility, drive traffic to your website and help customers reach you faster.

Whether it’s a comprehensive business phone directory or targeted business listings, every listing enhances your credibility. Plus, most of these directories are entirely free. So take charge of your online presence today and make your business easy to contact when it matters.