Simple, Yet Effective SEO Strategy – Submit Your Website To Directories

I want to thank my colleague Robert Kramers from found.co.nz for this excellent list of the best free New Zealand online directories.

Anyone doing search engine optimisation knows the value of back links from directories. Even with Google’s algorithm updates, it’s still beneficial to have high quality links from authority sites.

But when it comes to directories, some are better than others. And since it can take up to 30 minutes to submit your site to each directory, it helps to know which ones are worth the time and effort.

Well, you’re in luck. This list is here to help!

Definitive List of The Best FREE Online NZ Directories

1. Dmoz.org (New Zealand)
   • This is a worldwide directory, actually, but has 2-thumbs-up from Google. So put a link to your website here first! That, and it can take ages before it is approved so you might as well start the process now.
2. Google My Business
   • Creating your Google My Business account my take a little time, but it’s an essential ingredient in local SEO and boosting your rankings in Google’s search results. So it’s well worth the time!
3. Yelp.co.nz
   • Another global directory with a site dedicated to NZ businesses. Yelp offers more than just a great listing opportunity: it lets users review your business, which can further boost your search rankings.
4. Finda.co.nz
   • In my opinion the very best online directory in New Zealand. An official Google partner. Automatic submission to Google Maps & Wises.co.nz. Easy to use. Good looking profile pages
5. iBegin.com
   • A global directory, iBegin has a sub-directory dedicated to NZ businesses. High ranking and with a quick sign up process, too.
6. NZS.com (“New Zealand Search”)
   • Really good quality. Great looking graphics. Good profile pages.
7. HotFrog.co.nz
   • Impressive presence in Google.co.nz for a variety of searches.
8. Zenbu.co.nz
   • Very cool map-based business directory.
9. Yalwa.co.nz
   • Global directory, with dedicated subdomains to New Zealand cities.  Free text in the description field, so you can add hyperlinks (this is rare!).
10. NZWebZ.co.nz
    • Web directory for NZ and AU businesses. Quick and easy sign up process. Sites are listed quickly.
11. ZipLeaf.co.nz
    • “In growing stages, clean/sharp graphics, up to date functions. Promising” – [Thanks to James for his review]
12. Zoomin.co.nz
    • A unique, map based directory with a focus on location, street view and social networks. Highly rated. Quick submission process.
13. Localist.co.nz
    • With a high PR rating and an increasing number of users, Localist is the perfect place to list your business. Can add images, obtain reviews and be shared by the Localist community.
14. NZSBDirectory.co.nz (NZ Small Business Directory & Travel Guide)
    • A little long in the tooth, NZSBD is still worthy of your time. Though expect a bit of a wait before your business listing appears on the site.
15. Gopher.co.nz
    • Easy to use and with a great design, adding your business to Gopher is a super fast process that takes a matter of minutes.
16. WebLinks.NewZealand.co.nz
    • A high ranking site whose submission process can be completed in just seconds. Business descriptions are only shown if you upgrade to a paid listing, but Google still sees them so it’s a win/win for your rankings!
17. FindItOnline.co.nz
    • A great modern directory. Sign up process is quick and painless.
18. NewZealandWebsites.com
    • A quality directory with a somewhat involved submission process. Still worth the time if you have it. Also pulls businesses from other directories, so check for yours first!
19. Localbd.co.nz
    • Not the highest ranking directory in the list, but still well worth your time.
20. Fyple.co.nz
    • Painless listing process and a quality directory to boot.
21. Onzamap.co.nz
    • Great directory with a unique map-based interface.
22. BusinessZoom.co.nz
    • Listings are easy to create. Good range of categories.
23. WorkBoot.co.nz
    • A simple, barebones directory. Basic, but it gets the job done.

List Of The Best Industry-Specific NZ Directories

Technology

1. Rabble.co.nz
   • While not highly ranked compared to others, its relevancy for tech companies more than makes up for it.

Green / Eco Friendly

1. GreenDirectory.co.nz
   • A simple directory perfect for green, eco or environmentally friendly businesses. Basic listings are free.
2. Celsias.co.nz
   • A high ranking directory for sustainable businesses. Listings are free and allow the inclusion of multiple links.

List Of The Best Location Specific NZ Directories

Most directories sort your business into a location-specific category. But better than this? Directory sites that are devoted to a given region, town or city.

Listing your business with these directories further boosts your relevancy, and increases your visibility within lucrative local searches.

Auckland

1. HotCity.co.nz
   • A highly ranked business directory perfect for Auckland businesses. Membership is free for anyone who owns or operates a business on commercially rated property within Auckland’s boundaries. A great way to kickstart your Auckland-specific SEO.
2. DevonportDirectory.co.nz
   • Quality directory dedicated to Auckland’s suburb of Devonport.
3. MangereBridge.co.nz
   • A directory for Mangere Bridge, located in Manukau Harbour. Listings are free and easy to submit.

Coromandel

1. CoromandelTown.co.nz
   • This directory does not include a link back to your website. Can still contribute to your local SEO as it lists your Name, Address and Phone (NAP).

Hawke’s Bay

1. BusinessHawkesBay.co.nz
   • An exhaustive list of businesses located in the Hawke’s Bay. Listing process is quick and easy.

Queenstown

1. Queenstown.net.nz
   • Anything and everything Queenstown. Including a directory of businesses. Requires a quick email to set up an account. Listing process is otherwise straightforward.

Raglan

1. RaglanDirectory.co.nz
   • Directory for Raglan’s businesses. Option to be listed in the hardcopy print edition, too!

Otago

1. CentralOtagoNZ.com
   • If your business operates in Otago? This is the place to be. No submission form on the site, so just shoot them an email.

List of The Best Paid NZ Directories

For the sake of completeness I thought I would start to list “paid-inclusion” directories, too. So here it is!

1. Yellow.co.nz
   • One of the highest-ranking NZ directories around. Can be well worth the price of admission.
2. iLook.co.nz
   • A middle-of-the-road directory in both design and ranking. Fees are unclear, so shoot them an email!
3. BusinessMe.co.nz
   • A sleek, modern directory. Listing prices are a little higher than others.
4. AZdirect.co.nz
   • Run by Stuff.co.nz, this is a high ranking directory. Though you’ll likely pay an equally high fee to join.
5. NetworkNZ.nz
   • A relatively new directory site that’s growing fast. Quality, modern design. Adding your business is even faster! Includes the rare ability to add extra links within description text.
6. BizNZ.com
   • A once free directory, BizNZ has since switched to a paid service. Depending on your budget, this may still be worth a look.
7. KiwiDirectory.co.nz
   • Another free directory that now charges for listings. Site also allows users to leave reviews and add business to their favourites.
8. In24.co.nz
   • Upwards of 15,000 businesses and counting. Listing requires PayPal checkout.

NZ Directories That ARE NOT Worth Your Time

1. NZSearch.co.nz & SearchNZ.co.nz
   • 5 years ago these directories were great because there was little else to choose from, but the web developers abandoned it long ago and it has slowly rotted away.  Badly in need of an overhaul.
2. PiperPat.co.nz
   • Crude, old, but effective (Page Rank 6!). But I have had no response to my requests for additions for over 6 months.
3. NZDirectory.co.nz
   • Demands a reciprocal link
   • “Clean/sharp graphics, up to date functions, PR 5 with a lots of categories with PR 4/3, Alexa rank isn’t too bad either” – [Thanks to James for his review]
4. NZWebSeek.co.nz
   • An otherwise well-ranked directory site that is quickly filling up with a number of spam links. Looks old and outdated. Worth skipping.
5. WebLinks.co.nz
   • Requires a reciprocal link.
6. SearchNewZealand.co.nz
   • As others here, requires a reciprocal link.
7. SearchMe.co.nz
   • Another that requires a reciprocal link!
8. Street-Directory.co.nz
   • An otherwise quality map-based directory. Map functions appear to be broken when adding a listing.
9. NZDelivers.co.nz
   • Low rating. Latest listings are years old. Requires a subscription to list your business.
10. GoNZoz.com
    • Highly ranked, but requires a reciprocal link.
11. Go4NewZealandBusiness.com
    • A ghastly B2B site with no option to add a link to your site within a listing.
12. NZ.BusinessDirectoryForMobile.com
    • A low ranking site that charges far more than others for a comparable listing. Look elsewhere first.

NZ Directories That Are No Longer Active