Australia’s Top 10 Free Online Directories for Building Backlinks in 2021

If you’ve found this article, you’ve heard backlinks are good for your website, but probably don’t want to invest too much money into them. Well, good news! We’re here with a list of the top 10 FREE online directories for building backlinks in 2021.

A good SEO agency will include link-building in their packages as it is important, allowing you to not have to worry about it. But, if you’re trying to do it on your own, this article is for you!

Be sure to share this article with your friends with websites! This information can help them boost their search engine optimisation (SEO) easily — and who doesn’t want to do that?

How does a backlinks work?

A backlink is a link on one website taking you to another. If the link is taking you somewhere within the same website, this is called an internal link. Both are important but for different reasons. 

However, not all backlinks are weighed the same.

There are two types of backlinks:

Follow backlinks.

A follow backlink means the publisher of the backlink is allowing search engines to pass on the benefits from their website to your own. 

You only want to use a follow backlink to a website with more authority than your own, like a government website or one with high domain authority. There are domain authority checkers online that can tell you this.

No-follow backlinks.

A no-follow backlink is when the publisher of the backlink has directed search engines to not pass on any of their website’s SEO strength to your own. 

When publishing backlinks to other sites on your own website, you tell search engines to not follow a link by placing a rel=”nofollow” tag in the URL’s code. If you have an SEO specialist, they should be doing this for you as part of your link-building strategy.

Why backlinks are important in 2021:

• They show search engines you’re a trusted source for information.
• Users can follow the link and find your website.
• Using them yourself is an easy way to credit a source.
• Essentially, they’re good for your SEO.
• Backlinks are an easy way to help boost your E-A-T.
  

How do you get quality backlinks in 2021?

• List your business on reputable Australian directories.
• Comment your website on relevant blog posts.
• Share your thoughts and add your website to relevant forums.
• Guest blog, ensuring the other website links to the most relevant page on your website.
• Contact blogs and websites where a link to your website would add value without being a conflict of interest.
  

10 Best Free Australian Directories for Building Backlinks in 2021

1. Localsearch.com.au.

Localsearch has been helping more than 28,000 regional businesses with locals for more than 28 years. Businesses can receive free quotes (for relevant industries), enquiries, reviews and more, and be shown on both localsearch.com.au and the Localsearch App.

A basic Localsearch business profile is free, but you can also upgrade for additional features from $1 a day. Visit the Localsearch List Your Business page to claim your profile and get your free backlink!

2. Yelp.

Yelp provides businesses with a free business profile, with the option of advertising on their platform to reach more users. They allow restaurants to manage bookings via the Yelp App or website, reporting people are 15% more likely to wait for a booking if they are on their waitlist. 

Claim your Yelp profile over at biz.yelp.com/.

3. TripAdvisor.

TripAdvisor is a global travel online directory, supporting 28 languages to facilitate travellers wherever they are in the world. Businesses can claim their free TripAdvisor listing, allow you to have sponsored placements for increased reach and features, as well as advertise to travellers.

Check out their business page to claim your hotel or travel profile.

4. OneFlare.

OneFlare connects millions of people with services in their local area through quotes, bookings and more. It’s free to create a listing on OneFlare, but to receive quote requests, you’ll need to purchase credits.

You can register your business for a OneFlare profile on their website.

5. Sensis (Yellow Pages).

Yellow.com.au is part of the Sensis group, connecting businesses with locals throughout Australia. A basic profile with only your business details, contact information, opening hours and service notes is free, but you’ll need to pay at least $30 a month or more for any other beneficial features.

You can list your business via their Yellow Online website.

6. AutoGuru.

AutoGuru is the online directory exclusive for mechanics and those looking for mechanical services. Consumers can book car servicing and other work directly through the platform.

It’s unclear from the AutoGuru website how much it costs to list your business, however, they do have an option to apply to become a preferred mechanic on their website.

7. hipages.

hipages is a tradie-specific online directory. They claim to have posted roughly 1.4 million jobs in 2020, which is reportedly roughly every 23 seconds. 

Registering your business for hipages starts from $49 a week, and can be signed up for via their website.

8. Word of Mouth (WOMO).

Word of Mouth is a user-generated online directory, allowing consumers to recommend or not recommend businesses via reviews. Businesses with a lot of positive reviews are reportedly rewarded, however, more information about this requires an account.

You can find out more about WOMO by registering for an account.

9. Hotfrog.

Hotfrog is an online directory, reportedly servicing more than 2.7 million people. A basic profile on Hotfrog is free, allegedly allowing you to create an account using your social media.

Visit the add your profile page on Hotfrog to create your listing.

10. StartLocal.

StartLocal refers to themselves and an interactive local search engine rather than an online directory. There does not appear to be a way to add or edit your business listing on StartLocal, rather it shows what people say about your business.