Is submitting my website to online directories in 2025 still effective?

The landscape of digital marketing is ever-evolving. It’s vital that you continually assess your strategies to ensure you remain competitive. But this can be tough when there’s so much contradictory advice and so many choices to make.

Posted on: March 28th 2025    •    Posted in: Marketing Tips, Website Design

One strategy that has proven to be worthwhile in digital marketing for some years is submitting a website to online directories. However, while this is a crucial component of search engine optimisation (SEO), many businesses now question its effectiveness. In 2025, is this practice still worth your time and effort? As a professional trusted company, our answer is a resounding ‘yes,’ but let’s explain why.

The role of online directories in SEO

So, let’s start with the basics. What are online directories?

Online directories are digital listings that provide essential business information, such as name, address, phone number, and website URL. These listings, known as citations, are a critical aspect of local SEO. Search engines, such as Google, use citations as a trust signal to verify the legitimacy and relevance of a business, largely with a local focus.

The concept of ‘local’ SEO is an area where you can easily make inroads in an otherwise saturated online marketplace. Unlike good old-fashioned Yellow Pages, your website is potentially competing for space in search engine rankings with a similar company on the other side of the world. By using citations to get you ranked for your business type in your local area, you can stand out from the crowd in the place that actually matters from a customer conversion point of view.

For example, there are countless numbers of web design and SEO companies globally, but far fewer in Suffolk, and even fewer in Bury St Edmunds. So, it’s about targeting your local audience – the ones who will convert to paying customers.

Furthermore, when your business is listed consistently across reputable directories, search engines gain confidence in your credibility. This, in turn, can boost your search rankings, making it even easier for potential customers to find you.

The importance of citations for SEO

Citations play a crucial role in local SEO, helping businesses appear in search results, especially for location-based queries. Citations impact search rankings by increasing trustworthiness and providing valuable signals to search engines. All of the big-players in the world of SEO are still favouring local SEO using citations in 2025 and going forwards.

Here’s why citations remain important:

  • Enhanced local search visibility: Search engines prioritise businesses with consistent citations, helping them rank higher in local search results.
  • Increased credibility: Having your business listed across authoritative directories reassures customers and search engines alike that your business is legitimate.
  • Referral traffic: Many directories have a high domain authority, meaning they can drive direct traffic to your website.
  • Competitive advantage: If your competitors are listed in directories and you are not, you could be missing out on potential leads.

 

Are online directories still worth submitting to

The evolution of online directories

So, if online directories are still so important, why are they being questioned? It’s a matter of taking a quick history lesson in the evolution of online directories which will help you understand why they are still important but for different reasons. In short, they are still powerful, but they are used in a different way from their origins.

Years ago, online directories functioned as the go-to resource for finding businesses, much like potential customers previously turned to their hard copy Yellow Pages to look up local businesses.

However, with the rise of Google My Business, social media platforms, and advanced search algorithms, the landscape has shifted. While some customers do still use online directories in this way, the reality is that most of their heavy lifting is behind-the-scenes in terms of improving SEO so that when a customer Googles your business type in their local area, it’s you that comes out on top.

There are a huge range of directories that therefore remain valuable in 2025, including Google Business Profile, Yelp, local Chamber of Commerce websites, industry specific directories and review sites and more.

However, it’s useful to have knowledgeable people on the job because low-quality, spammy directories can do more harm than good. Google’s algorithms are adept at recognising poor-quality links, which can negatively impact your SEO if not managed carefully.

Are online directories still worth submitting to?

The short answer is yes—but with a strategic approach. Here’s how you can maximise the effectiveness of citations in 2025:

  • Focus on quality over quantity: Instead of submitting your website to hundreds of directories, choose high-authority, relevant directories that align with your industry and location.
  • Ensure consistency: Your business name, address, phone number, and website URL should be identical across all directories. Inconsistencies can confuse search engines and harm your rankings.
  • Optimise your listings: Where possible, include detailed business descriptions, keywords, images, and customer reviews to make your listing more attractive and informative.
  • Monitor and update regularly: Businesses evolve, and so should your citations. Regularly review and update your listings to ensure they reflect accurate information.
  • Leverage local SEO tools: Know and use local citations.

How can we help?

Managing citations can be a time-consuming task, and take an informed approach. So, that’s where we come in. At Kall Kwik Bury St Edmunds, we specialise in web design and SEO services, including citation management. We utilise proven strategies to ensure your business appears in the right places, helping you gain visibility and credibility in your market.

Whether you’re looking to improve your search rankings, attract local customers, establish a stronger online presence, or all three, our expertise in web design and SEO can help. By choosing Kall Kwik, you’re partnering with professionals who understand the intricacies of digital marketing and can tailor strategies to your business needs.

Ready to boost your online visibility? Contact us today to learn more about our website SEO services on 01284 752266.