The ₹0 Marketing Stack: 100 Free Business Listing Sites in India

Published · Updated · City & Regional Marketing

Picture this. A customer is standing two streets away from your shop, phone in hand, typing "near me". Your shutters are up, your shelves are full, your prices are fair… and the phone shows them somebody else.

That gap between being open and being findable is where most small Indian businesses quietly lose customers. The good news? Closing it costs exactly ₹0. Every platform below lets you create a business listing for free — some stay free forever, some charge only when they send you a lead or a sale, and a few offer optional paid upgrades.

Think of these 100 sites as your free marketing stack: maps that guide people to your door, directories that answer "who's the best near me?", B2B portals that bring bulk buyers, and niche platforms where your exact customers already hang out.

Grab a cup of chai. Let's get your business found.

Quick Answer: The 10 Free Listings Every Indian Business Should Claim First

Short on time? Start here. These ten cover the places most Indian customers search, scroll and call from:

  1. Google Business Profile — appears in Google Search and Google Maps
  2. Bing Places for Business — Bing, Microsoft's maps and many AI assistants
  3. Apple Business Connect — Apple Maps, Siri and iPhone search
  4. WhatsApp Business — a free business profile and catalogue inside the app customers already use
  5. Facebook Page — reviews, posts and local discovery
  6. Instagram Business account — visual discovery for food, fashion, beauty and more
  7. Justdial — one of India's best-known local search directories
  8. Sulekha — strong for services, from home repairs to tuition
  9. SearchKoro — hyperlocal discovery with catalogues, offers and enquiries
  10. Truecaller for Business — your business name shows up when you call customers

Selling to other businesses? Add IndiaMART and TradeIndia to this first batch.

Why Free Business Listings Still Matter in 2026

Search has changed, but one thing hasn't: people buy from businesses they can find and trust. Free listings help with both.

  • "Near me" searches are everywhere. Customers search for "dentist near me", "AC repair near me" and "bakery open now" — and maps and directories decide who appears.
  • AI assistants read listings too. When someone asks an AI assistant for a good coaching centre in their town, the answer is built from information published across the web. Consistent listings make your business easier to recommend.
  • Every listing is a signpost. A listing on a trusted site gives customers one more road to your door — and gives search engines one more confirmation that your business is real.
  • They cost nothing to start. No agency, no ad budget, no website required.

How These 100 Sites Were Chosen

Plenty of "100 sites" lists are padded with dead directories that nobody visits. This list follows four simple rules:

  1. Free to create a listing or profile for Indian businesses (paid upgrades, per-lead charges or per-sale commissions are clearly marked).
  2. Live and active in 2026.
  3. Real people use it — customers, buyers, travellers, students or employers.
  4. Useful for at least one kind of Indian business. Not every site suits everyone, so the list is grouped by business type.

How to read the tags:

  • 🟢 Free — create and keep a listing at no cost
  • 🟡 Free + upgrades — free listing, optional paid plans for extra visibility
  • 🔵 Free to join, pay per result — no listing fee; you pay per lead, booking or sale

Features and pricing on any platform can change, so always check the current terms when you sign up.

At a Glance: 15 Popular Free Listing Platforms Compared

Platform Listing cost Best for Reviews Standout feature
Google Business Profile 🟢 Free Every local business Yes Google Search + Maps visibility
Bing Places 🟢 Free Every local business Via partners Imports from Google in minutes
Apple Business Connect 🟢 Free Every local business Via partners Apple Maps and Siri
WhatsApp Business 🟢 Free Shops, services, home businesses No Catalogue + instant chat
Facebook Page 🟢 Free Local brands, events, food Yes Community and recommendations
Instagram Business 🟢 Free Food, fashion, beauty, décor No Visual discovery, Reels
Justdial 🟡 Free + upgrades Local shops and services Yes Huge local search audience
Sulekha 🔵 Pay per lead Service providers Yes Lead-based enquiries
SearchKoro 🟡 Free + upgrades Hyperlocal shops, clinics, services Yes Catalogue, offers, WhatsApp enquiries
Truecaller for Business 🟡 Free + upgrades Any business that calls customers No Business name shown on calls
IndiaMART 🟡 Free + upgrades Manufacturers, wholesalers Yes Bulk buyer enquiries
TradeIndia 🟡 Free + upgrades B2B suppliers Yes Exporter and trade leads
Practo 🟡 Free + upgrades Doctors and clinics Yes Appointment discovery
Zomato 🔵 Pay per order Restaurants, cafés, cloud kitchens Yes Dining + delivery audience
Tripadvisor 🟢 Free Hotels, restaurants, attractions Yes Traveller reviews

No single platform does everything. The winning move is a small, well-kept stack: Google, one or two big Indian directories, and the niche sites that match your trade.

Search Engines & Maps (1–6)

These put your business on the map — literally. Start here.

1. Google Business Profile 🟢 — The most important free listing in India. Shows your business in Google Search and Maps with hours, photos, reviews, posts and a call button.

2. Bing Places for Business 🟢 — Puts you on Bing and Microsoft maps. You can import your Google profile, so setup takes minutes.

3. Apple Business Connect 🟢 — Controls how your business looks on Apple Maps, in Siri and in iPhone search. Free to claim.

4. Mappls (MapmyIndia) 🟢 — India's homegrown map app. Use its add-a-place option so customers on Mappls can find your exact location.

5. OpenStreetMap 🟢 — A free, community-edited world map that powers many apps and websites. Adding your shop here quietly spreads your location far and wide.

6. Waze 🟢 — A popular navigation app. Adding your place helps drivers reach your door without wrong turns.

Major Indian Local Directories (7–15)

The "Yellow Pages" of the smartphone age — where Indian customers compare local businesses.

7. Justdial 🟡 — One of India's largest local search platforms, across web, app and phone. Free listing; paid packages for top placement.

8. Sulekha 🔵 — Built for services: home repairs, packers and movers, tuition, events and more. Free profile; you pay for the leads you choose.

9. SearchKoro 🟡 — Hyperlocal discovery for shops, clinics, coaching centres and service providers, with catalogues, offers and WhatsApp enquiries on one page. Free listing; optional premium tools.

10. Truecaller for Business 🟡 — Create a business profile so your name, logo and category show up when you call customers. Builds instant trust and reduces ignored calls.

11. Grotal 🟡 — An Indian local search engine where businesses can add their details. Paid plans available.

12. Hotfrog India 🟢 — A long-running business directory with an India edition and a free "add a business" option.

13. Opendi India 🟢 — An international directory with a dedicated India site. Basic listings are free.

14. Cylex India 🟢 — Part of a global directory network; add your company for free.

15. OLX India 🟡 — Best known for classifieds, but handy for service providers and resellers. Free ads within limits; business packages available.

B2B Marketplaces, Trade & Government Portals (16–27)

Manufacturer, wholesaler, exporter or supplier? These platforms bring bulk buyers and tenders.

16. IndiaMART 🟡 — India's biggest B2B marketplace. Free supplier listing; paid plans unlock more buyer leads.

17. TradeIndia 🟡 — A major B2B portal for manufacturers, exporters and traders. Free basic listing.

18. ExportersIndia 🟡 — Focused on exporters and manufacturers looking for domestic and global buyers.

19. JD Mart 🟡 — Justdial's B2B marketplace, connecting suppliers with business buyers.

20. Indian Yellow Pages 🟡 — A B2B directory where companies can post products and free classified ads.

21. Kompass India 🟡 — A global B2B directory with an India edition. Free registration; premium tools available.

22. Fibre2Fashion 🟡 — The go-to B2B platform for textile, apparel and fashion businesses.

23. go4WorldBusiness 🟡 — Global import–export marketplace. Free membership for suppliers; premium tiers exist.

24. TradeKey 🟡 — International B2B marketplace with free sign-up and paid upgrade tiers.

25. GeM (Government e-Marketplace) 🟢 — Register as a seller to supply products and services to government buyers across India.

26. Startup India 🟢 — Recognised startups get a profile on the government's startup portal, visible to investors, mentors and partners.

27. India Handmade 🟢 — A government-backed portal where registered artisans and weavers can showcase and sell handmade products.

Social & Messaging Platforms (28–38)

Where customers scroll, chat and ask friends for recommendations.

28. Facebook Page 🟢 — Hours, address, reviews, posts and messages in one place. Still a strong local discovery tool in India.

29. Instagram Business account 🟢 — Perfect for food, fashion, beauty, décor and anything that looks good on camera.

30. WhatsApp Business 🟢 — Free business profile, catalogue, quick replies and labels — right inside India's favourite messaging app.

31. LinkedIn Company Page 🟢 — Essential for B2B companies, professional services and anyone hiring.

32. YouTube channel 🟢 — How-to videos, product demos and shop tours rank on YouTube and Google.

33. X (Twitter) business profile 🟢 — Useful for updates, customer service and local news.

34. Pinterest Business 🟢 — Great for weddings, home décor, fashion, recipes and gifting ideas.

35. Threads 🟢 — Instagram's text-based app; an easy extra channel if you're already on Instagram.

36. Snapchat Public Profile 🟢 — Reach younger audiences with a public business profile.

37. Quora 🟢 — Answer questions in your field and build trust with people actively looking for advice.

38. Telegram channel 🟢 — Broadcast offers, new arrivals and updates to subscribers for free.

Selling Platforms with Free Seller Accounts (39–42)

Free to list products; you pay only when something sells.

39. Google Merchant Center 🟢 — Upload your products and they can appear free across Google Shopping, Search and Images.

40. Meesho 🔵 — Free supplier account for small sellers, especially fashion, home and lifestyle.

41. Flipkart Seller Hub 🔵 — Free to register; fees apply per sale.

42. Amazon.in Seller Central 🔵 — Free to register; fees apply per sale.

Review, Reputation & Employer Platforms (43–47)

Trust is the new currency. These sites help customers — and future employees — believe in you.

43. Trustpilot 🟡 — Free business account to collect and reply to reviews; paid plans add more tools.

44. Sitejabber 🟡 — Free business profile to respond to customer reviews, especially for online sellers.

45. Glassdoor 🟢 — Claim a free employer profile to show your workplace culture to job seekers.

46. AmbitionBox 🟢 — India's popular company review site; claim your employer profile for free.

47. Indeed Company Page 🟢 — Free company page alongside job listings.

Healthcare & Wellness (48–51)

Patients search carefully. Be where they look.

48. Practo 🟡 — India's best-known doctor discovery platform. Free profile; paid tools for clinics.

49. Lybrate 🟡 — Doctor profiles, online consultations and health Q&A.

50. ABDM Health Facility Registry (HFR) 🟢 — Register your hospital, clinic, lab or pharmacy with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission so it's part of India's digital health network.

51. ABDM Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR) 🟢 — The matching free registry for doctors, nurses and other health professionals.

Food, Cafés & Restaurants (52–56)

Hungry customers decide fast. Make sure they decide on you.

52. Zomato 🔵 — Restaurant page with menu, photos and reviews; delivery and dining partnerships charge per order or booking.

53. Swiggy 🔵 — Food delivery partnership for restaurants and cloud kitchens; commission per order.

54. Swiggy Dineout 🔵 — Table bookings and dining deals for restaurants and cafés.

55. EazyDiner 🔵 — Restaurant discovery and table bookings with deals.

56. magicpin 🟡 — Discovery and rewards app for local restaurants, cafés and stores.

Hotels, Homestays, Travel & Experiences (57–67)

Travellers book what they can see, compare and trust.

57. Tripadvisor 🟢 — Free listing for hotels, restaurants and attractions, with traveller reviews.

58. Booking.com 🔵 — Free to list your property; commission per booking.

59. Airbnb 🔵 — Free to list homestays and unique stays; service fee per booking.

60. MakeMyTrip & Goibibo (via InGo-MMT) 🔵 — List hotels and homestays on two of India's biggest travel apps; commission per booking.

61. Agoda 🔵 — Strong for Asian travellers; free to list, commission per booking.

62. Expedia Partner Central 🔵 — Reach international travellers; commission per booking.

63. Trip.com 🔵 — Global travel platform with a hotel partner programme.

64. Hostelworld 🔵 — The go-to site for backpacker hostels.

65. Viator 🔵 — List tours and activities for travellers worldwide.

66. GetYourGuide 🔵 — Tours, experiences and activities; commission per booking.

67. Klook 🔵 — Popular for attractions and experiences across Asia.

Education, Coaching & Tutors (68–72)

Parents and students research hard before they pick a teacher.

68. UrbanPro 🔵 — India's large marketplace for tutors, coaching institutes and trainers. Free profile; pay to respond to enquiries.

69. Superprof 🟢 — Free tutor profiles for academics, music, languages and hobbies.

70. LearnPick 🟡 — Tutor and institute marketplace with free sign-up.

71. TeacherOn 🟡 — Free tutor profiles, with optional paid features for contacting students.

72. MyPrivateTutor 🟡 — Tutor and coaching profiles across Indian cities.

Real Estate, Interiors & Home Services (73–78)

Property and home projects are big decisions — buyers compare a lot.

73. 99acres 🟡 — Owners can post properties for free; agents and builders have paid plans.

74. MagicBricks 🟡 — Free property listings for owners; paid packages for professionals.

75. Housing.com 🟡 — Free owner listings for rent and sale.

76. NoBroker 🟡 — Owner-to-tenant and owner-to-buyer listings without brokers.

77. Makaan 🟡 — Property portal with free listings for owners.

78. Houzz 🟢 — Free professional profile for interior designers, architects and contractors, with a portfolio of projects.

Weddings, Events & Ticketing (79–84)

From shaadi season to Saturday workshops.

79. WedMeGood 🟡 — India's popular wedding planning platform; register as a vendor.

80. WeddingWire India 🟡 — Wedding vendor directory with free business registration.

81. BookEventz 🔵 — Add your banquet hall or venue to India's event booking portal.

82. AllEvents 🟢 — Free event listings that help locals discover what's happening in their city.

83. District by Zomato 🔵 — List events, shows and experiences; fees apply on ticket sales.

84. Eventbrite 🔵 — Free for free events; fees apply on paid tickets.

Agencies, Software, Freelancers & Startups (85–96)

Selling skills, services or software? These platforms are where buyers shortlist.

85. Clutch 🟡 — Free profile for agencies and IT services firms, built on verified client reviews.

86. GoodFirms 🟡 — Free listing for software companies and agencies.

87. DesignRush 🟡 — Agency directory with free listings for marketing, design and development firms.

88. G2 🟡 — Free product profile for software companies, powered by user reviews.

89. Capterra 🔵 — Free software listing; pay per click for extra visibility.

90. Upwork 🔵 — Free freelancer and agency profiles; fees per contract.

91. Fiverr 🔵 — List services as "gigs" for free; a fee applies per order.

92. Freelancer.com 🔵 — Free profile; fees per project.

93. Truelancer 🔵 — An Indian freelancing marketplace with free profiles.

94. Crunchbase 🟢 — Free company profile; widely used by investors and journalists.

95. Wellfound 🟢 — Startup profiles and hiring; free for companies to list.

96. F6S 🟢 — Free startup profile to apply for programmes, deals and funding.

Global Directories That Welcome Indian Businesses (97–100)

Extra signposts that help search engines confirm your details.

97. Brownbook 🟢 — Global business database with free listing and free claiming.

98. Cybo 🟢 — Worldwide business directory with free listings.

99. Infobel 🟢 — International directory covering India and many other countries.

100. Product Hunt 🟢 — Launching an app or digital product? A free launch page can bring early users and press.

Where to Start: The Right Stack for Your Business

You don't need all 100. Pick your lane:

Your business Start with these
Kirana, retail shop, electronics store Google, Bing, Apple, WhatsApp Business, Justdial, SearchKoro, Truecaller
Clinic, doctor, diagnostic lab Google, Practo, Lybrate, ABDM HFR/HPR, Justdial, SearchKoro
Restaurant, café, bakery Google, Zomato, Swiggy, Instagram, Tripadvisor, magicpin
Coaching centre, tutor Google, UrbanPro, Superprof, Sulekha, SearchKoro, YouTube
Salon, spa, gym Google, Instagram, WhatsApp Business, Justdial, SearchKoro
Hotel, homestay Google, Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Airbnb, MakeMyTrip & Goibibo
Manufacturer, wholesaler Google, IndiaMART, TradeIndia, ExportersIndia, LinkedIn, GeM
Home services (plumber, electrician, AC repair) Google, Sulekha, Justdial, SearchKoro, WhatsApp Business
Agency, IT firm, freelancer Google, LinkedIn, Clutch, GoodFirms, Upwork

Set up five to eight listings properly. That beats fifty half-finished ones every time.

The NAP Rule: Name, Address, Phone — Identical Everywhere

Search engines cross-check your details across listings. When they match, trust goes up. When they don't, your business can look like three different shops.

  • Name: use your real signboard name everywhere. No stuffing keywords like "Best Mobile Shop Cheap Guwahati".
  • Address: write it the same way each time, including landmark style ("near", "opposite") and PIN code.
  • Phone: use one main number across all listings, ideally the one you actually answer.

Keep a simple note with your "official" name, address, phone, hours and category, and copy-paste from it every time.

Step by Step: Building a Listing That Actually Gets Calls

A listing is like a shop window. Here's how to dress it well.

Pick the Right Name and Category

Choose the most specific primary category ("Dentist", not "Healthcare"; "Mobile Phone Shop", not "Store"). Add secondary categories only if they're genuinely true.

Add Real Photos

Upload your signboard, shopfront, inside view, products and team. Real photos win over stock images — customers want to know exactly what they'll walk into.

Set Accurate Hours

Add regular hours, Sunday hours and festival changes. Nothing loses a customer faster than a closed shutter after Maps said "Open".

Write a Description That Sells

Two or three short sentences: what you offer, who it's for, and why people choose you. Mention your area and a landmark.

Keep It Fresh with Offers and Updates

Post new arrivals, seasonal offers and festival deals. Fresh listings look alive — and live businesses get more calls.

Free vs Paid Listings: When Upgrading Makes Sense

Free listings are the foundation. Paid upgrades can help — but only after the basics work.

  • Stay free while your listings are new and you're still collecting reviews.
  • Consider paying when a platform clearly brings you good enquiries and you want more of them.
  • Measure before you renew. If an upgrade doesn't bring more calls, visits or orders than it costs, switch it off.

Per-lead and per-sale platforms are a middle ground: no upfront fee, but track your cost per customer carefully.

7 Listing Mistakes That Quietly Kill Enquiries

  1. Wrong or old phone numbers — the fastest way to lose a ready-to-buy customer.
  2. Missing hours — people won't risk a wasted trip.
  3. Zero photos — an empty listing looks like an empty shop.
  4. Different names on different sites — confuses customers and search engines.
  5. Ignoring reviews — a polite reply to every review, good or bad, builds trust.
  6. Too many categories — be specific, not everything-for-everyone.
  7. Set-and-forget — listings need a quick check every month.

How to Track Which Listings Actually Bring Customers

Free doesn't mean "don't measure". A few easy habits:

  • Ask every new customer: "How did you find us?" Keep a tally for a month.
  • Check platform insights: Google Business Profile and most directories show views, calls and direction requests.
  • Use a separate WhatsApp link or number for one platform to see exactly how many chats it brings.
  • Review monthly: keep investing time in the listings that bring customers, and refresh or drop the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Google Business Profile really free in India?

Yes. Creating and managing a Google Business Profile is completely free. Google Ads are a separate, optional paid product.

How many business listings do I need?

Quality beats quantity. Five to eight well-kept listings on the right platforms usually do more than dozens of incomplete ones. Start with the "Quick Answer" ten, then add the sites that match your trade.

Do business listings help SEO?

Yes. Consistent listings on trusted sites help search engines confirm your business details, and many listing pages rank in search results themselves — giving you more ways to be found.

Can I list my business without GST registration?

Many platforms let you create a basic listing without GST, especially local directories, maps and social platforms. B2B marketplaces and selling platforms usually ask for GST or other business documents.

Can a home-based business be listed?

Yes. Most maps and directories allow service-area businesses to hide their home address and show only the areas they serve.

How long does it take for a new listing to appear?

It varies. Some directories show your listing instantly; maps and search platforms may take a few days to verify and publish it.

Final Checklist: Your ₹0 Marketing Stack

  • ☐ Claim Google Business Profile, Bing Places and Apple Business Connect
  • ☐ Set up WhatsApp Business with a catalogue
  • ☐ Create Facebook and Instagram business profiles
  • ☐ List on two or three big Indian directories (Justdial, Sulekha, SearchKoro)
  • ☐ Add the niche platforms for your trade
  • ☐ Use the same name, address and phone everywhere
  • ☐ Upload real photos and accurate hours
  • ☐ Reply to every review
  • ☐ Post an update or offer every month
  • ☐ Ask every new customer how they found you

Your shop is already open. Now make sure the whole neighbourhood — and every phone in it — knows it. 🚀