High-Quality Citation Directories for UK Tradesmen
This is a comprehensive list of the best citation directories for UK tradesmen. These platforms are essential for building your local SEO and getting found by customers searching for your services.
⚠️ Remember: Consistency is Critical
Before you start building citations, ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is exactly the same everywhere. Use the same format:
- Business name: "ABC Plumbing Ltd" (not "ABC Plumbing" or "ABC Plumbing Services")
- Address: Use the same format (e.g., "123 High Street" not "123 High St")
- Phone: Use the same format (e.g., "020 1234 5678" or "01234 567890")
Complete Citation Directory List
Use these tables to find directories by priority. Start with Tier 1 (CRITICAL) and work your way down.
Tier 1: Essential UK Directories (Do These First)
These are the most important citations for UK tradesmen. Start here.
| Directory Name | Priority | Cost | URL | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | CRITICAL | Free | https://business.google.com/ | #1 local search platform. Absolutely essential. |
| Bing Places for Business | CRITICAL | Free | https://www.bingplaces.com/ | Microsoft's search engine powers many UK searches. Apple Maps uses Bing data. |
| Apple Maps Connect | HIGH | Free | https://mapsconnect.apple.com/ | Used by all iPhone users in the UK. High visibility. |
| Facebook Business Page | HIGH | Free | https://www.facebook.com/business/pages | Social citation that Google values. Also great for reviews. |
| Yelp UK | HIGH | Free (paid options) | https://www.yelp.co.uk/ | Popular review platform used by UK consumers. |
| Thomson Local | HIGH | Free basic (paid options) | https://www.thomsonlocal.com/ | One of the UK's most established business directories. Strong domain authority. |
| Yell.com (Yellow Pages UK) | HIGH | Free basic (paid options) | https://www.yell.com/ | Still widely used by UK consumers. Strong citation value. |
| FreeIndex | HIGH | Free | https://www.freeindex.co.uk/ | UK-specific directory with strong local SEO value. Great for reviews. |
Tier 2: Major UK Business Directories
These are important UK-specific directories with good SEO value.
| Directory Name | Priority | Cost | URL | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touch Local | MEDIUM-HIGH | Free | https://www.touchlocal.com/ | UK-focused local business directory. Good for local searches. |
| Scoot | MEDIUM-HIGH | Free basic | https://www.scoot.co.uk/ | Established UK business directory with good domain authority. |
| Cylex UK | MEDIUM | Free | https://www.cylex-uk.co.uk/ | UK business directory with good citation value. |
| Hotfrog UK | MEDIUM | Free | https://www.hotfrog.co.uk/ | UK business directory with decent SEO value. |
| Brownbook | MEDIUM | Free | https://www.brownbook.net/ | UK business directory with good local coverage. |
| CityVisitor | MEDIUM | Free | https://www.cityvisitor.co.uk/ | UK local business directory with city-specific listings. |
| 192.com | MEDIUM | Free basic | https://www.192.com/ | UK directory and people finder. Good citation value. |
Tier 3: UK Tradesmen-Specific Directories
These directories are specifically for tradesmen and home services.
| Directory Name | Priority | Cost | URL | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checkatrade | HIGH (if affordable) | Paid | https://www.checkatrade.com/ | UK's leading tradesmen directory. Trusted by customers. High visibility. |
| Rated People | HIGH (if affordable) | Paid | https://www.ratedpeople.com/ | Popular UK tradesmen directory. Good for leads and citations. |
| Trustpilot | HIGH | Free | https://www.trustpilot.com/ | Major review platform. Great for building trust and citations. |
| MyBuilder | MEDIUM-HIGH (if affordable) | Paid | https://www.mybuilder.com/ | UK tradesmen directory. Good for leads and local visibility. |
| Trust a Trader | MEDIUM (if affordable) | Paid | https://www.trustatrader.com/ | UK tradesmen directory with verification system. |
| Which? Trusted Traders | MEDIUM-HIGH (if affordable) | Paid | https://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/ | Which? brand carries huge trust. Excellent for credibility. |
| TrustMark | MEDIUM (if affordable) | Paid | https://www.trustmark.org.uk/ | Government-endorsed scheme. Excellent for credibility and trust. |
| Find a Builder | MEDIUM (if applicable) | Paid | https://www.findabuilder.co.uk/ | Specific to construction trades. Good for builders and related trades. |
| Buy With Confidence | MEDIUM (if available) | Paid | https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/ | Trading Standards endorsed. Excellent for trust and local SEO. |
Tier 4: Industry-Specific UK Directories
These are trade-specific directories for different trades.
| Directory Name | Priority | Cost | URL | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NICEIC (Electrical) | CRITICAL (electricians) | Free (if registered) | https://www.niceic.com/ | Official electrical contractors directory. Essential for electricians. |
| Gas Safe Register (Gas Engineers) | CRITICAL (gas engineers) | Free (if registered) | https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/ | Official gas engineer directory. Legal requirement for gas work. |
| OFTEC (Oil & Heating) | HIGH (relevant trades) | Free (if registered) | https://www.oftec.org.uk/ | Official directory for oil and heating engineers. |
| CIPHE (Plumbing) | HIGH (plumbers) | Free (if member) | https://www.ciphe.org.uk/ | Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering directory. |
| FENSA (Windows & Glazing) | HIGH (window installers) | Free (if registered) | https://www.fensa.org.uk/ | Official window and glazing installer directory. |
| HETAS (Solid Fuel) | HIGH (relevant trades) | Free (if registered) | https://www.hetas.co.uk/ | Official directory for solid fuel heating engineers. |
| RECC (Renewable Energy) | MEDIUM (renewable installers) | Free (if registered) | https://www.recc.org.uk/ | Renewable Energy Consumer Code directory. |
Tier 5: Local & Regional UK Citations
These help with hyperlocal rankings. Look for directories specific to your city, county, or region.
| Directory Name | Priority | Cost | URL | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Council Directories | MEDIUM-HIGH | Free | Check local council website | Many UK councils have business directories. |
| Local Chamber of Commerce | MEDIUM | Varies | Search "[Your City] Chamber of Commerce" | Many chambers have business directories. Great for local credibility. |
| Local Newspapers & Media | MEDIUM | Free | Check local newspaper websites | Many local newspapers have business directories. |
| VisitBritain/VisitEngland | LOW-MEDIUM | Varies | Varies by region | Tourism and business directories for local areas. |
Citation Building Checklist
Use this table to track your progress. Check off directories as you complete them.
| Directory | Tier | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | 1 | [ ] | CRITICAL - Do first |
| Bing Places for Business | 1 | [ ] | CRITICAL |
| Apple Maps Connect | 1 | [ ] | HIGH priority |
| Facebook Business Page | 1 | [ ] | HIGH priority |
| Yelp UK | 1 | [ ] | HIGH priority |
| Thomson Local | 1 | [ ] | HIGH priority |
| Yell.com | 1 | [ ] | HIGH priority |
| FreeIndex | 1 | [ ] | HIGH priority |
| Touch Local | 2 | [ ] | MEDIUM-HIGH priority |
| Scoot | 2 | [ ] | MEDIUM-HIGH priority |
| Cylex UK | 2 | [ ] | MEDIUM priority |
| Hotfrog UK | 2 | [ ] | MEDIUM priority |
| Brownbook | 2 | [ ] | MEDIUM priority |
| CityVisitor | 2 | [ ] | MEDIUM priority |
| 192.com | 2 | [ ] | MEDIUM priority |
| Checkatrade | 3 | [ ] | HIGH (if affordable) |
| Rated People | 3 | [ ] | HIGH (if affordable) |
| Trustpilot | 3 | [ ] | HIGH priority |
| MyBuilder | 3 | [ ] | MEDIUM-HIGH (if affordable) |
| Which? Trusted Traders | 3 | [ ] | MEDIUM-HIGH (if affordable) |
| TrustMark | 3 | [ ] | MEDIUM (if applicable) |
| Find a Builder | 3 | [ ] | MEDIUM (if applicable) |
| Buy With Confidence | 3 | [ ] | MEDIUM (if available) |
| NICEIC (if electrician) | 4 | [ ] | CRITICAL for electricians |
| Gas Safe Register (if gas engineer) | 4 | [ ] | CRITICAL for gas engineers |
| OFTEC (if applicable) | 4 | [ ] | HIGH (if applicable) |
| CIPHE (if plumber) | 4 | [ ] | HIGH (if applicable) |
| FENSA (if window installer) | 4 | [ ] | HIGH (if applicable) |
| HETAS (if applicable) | 4 | [ ] | HIGH (if applicable) |
| RECC (if applicable) | 4 | [ ] | MEDIUM (if applicable) |
| Local Council Directory | 5 | [ ] | MEDIUM-HIGH priority |
| Local Chamber of Commerce | 5 | [ ] | MEDIUM priority |
| Local Newspaper Directory | 5 | [ ] | MEDIUM priority |
Tips for Building Citations
- Start with Tier 1 - Complete all Tier 1 citations before moving on
- Use the same NAP format - Consistency is critical
- Complete your profile - Fill out all available fields on each directory
- Add photos - Many directories allow photos - use them
- Get reviews - Encourage reviews on platforms that allow them
- Verify listings - Many directories require verification - complete it
- Keep information updated - Update your listings if anything changes
Remember
- Quality over quantity - Better to have complete, accurate listings on 20 directories than incomplete ones on 50
- Consistency is key - Your NAP must be identical everywhere
- Start with free options - You can build strong citations without paying
- Paid directories are valuable - If you can afford Checkatrade, Rated People, etc., they're worth it for leads AND citations
- Trade bodies matter - If you're registered with a trade body (NICEIC, Gas Safe, etc.), get listed in their directory
Building citations takes time, but it's one of the most effective ways to improve your local search rankings and get more jobs.