We asked industry experts to share websites and online directories where they’ve listed their businesses that have generated a significant number of leads. Here is their advice to others looking to get listed on similar platforms to maximize business visibility and growth.
- Boost Leads with Thomasnet
- Generate Quality Leads with Clutch
- Engage Community on Planet Minecraft
- Optimize Your Profile on Yelp
- Drive B2B Leads on LinkedIn
- Leverage Apple Business Connect
- Maximize Leads on ProductHunt
- Succeed with Angi for Roofing
- Impactful Leads from Moz Directory
- Cratejoy Boosts Subscription Box Leads
- Gain Media Coverage with Featured.com
- Lead Generation with Trustpilot
- Generate Leads with G2
- Effective Leads from Justia
- Success with Coldwell Banker Directory
- Generate Leads on Houzz
16 Top Website and Directory Listings for Generating Leads
Boost Leads with Thomasnet
One online directory that has significantly boosted our lead generation efforts in the industrial and engineering niches is Thomasnet. We listed Advanced Motion Controls there because it’s a trusted platform for engineers, procurement professionals, and decision-makers seeking motion control solutions. Initially, we struggled to identify the right platform where our highly technical products would get in front of the right audience. Many directories cast too wide a net, resulting in irrelevant leads. Thomasnet stood out because it attracts a targeted audience actively searching for industrial solutions.
To maximize our presence, we invested time in creating a detailed profile that highlights our technical expertise, product specifications, and key applications. We also included downloadable resources like CAD files and product datasheets, which appeal directly to engineers. By regularly updating our profile and monitoring analytics provided by the platform, we identified trends in customer interest and tailored our offerings accordingly.
My advice to others is to focus on niche platforms where your ideal customers spend their time and ensure your listing speaks their language—technical accuracy and application-focused content are key. Don’t just list your business; treat your profile like an extension of your website and use it to educate, engage, and convert.
Rene Ymzon
Marketing Manager, Advanced Motion Controls
Generate Quality Leads with Clutch
One platform that has consistently generated quality leads for us is Clutch.co. It’s a directory specifically focused on service providers, which makes it ideal for businesses like ours in software development. The reason it works so well is its emphasis on client reviews. Potential clients trust the detailed reviews and case studies shared by previous customers, and that trust converts into leads.
Here’s our advice for getting the most out of directories like Clutch or similar platforms:
- Invest in collecting authentic reviews: We reach out to satisfied clients and encourage them to leave honest feedback. A detailed review with specifics about the work we’ve done goes a long way in building credibility.
- Optimize your profile: We treat our profile like a mini-website. Using concise, engaging content to describe our services, including visuals if possible, and ensuring contact information is easily accessible makes a big difference.
- Focus on relevant categories: We are selective about the categories or tags we list our business under. It ensures that we’re reaching the right audience rather than casting too wide a net.
Directories work best when you actively maintain your presence. Keeping profiles up to date, showcasing recent projects, and engaging with feedback is an ongoing process, but the results can be significant.
Vikrant Bhalodia
Head of Marketing & People Ops, WeblineIndia
Engage Community on Planet Minecraft
Planet Minecraft directory has been super effective for growing our community, especially since I started posting weekly updates with screenshots of our latest projects. The key was consistently engaging with comments and adding value through detailed tutorials, which helped us stand out among thousands of other listings. If you’re into gaming content, I’d suggest picking one platform and really diving deep into the community aspects rather than spreading yourself thin across multiple directories.
Jas Bola
Product Marketing, Minecraft Menu
Optimize Your Profile on Yelp
One platform that was extremely helpful for us was Yelp. As a company offering specialized financing for industries like transportation and construction, we quickly realized that Yelp’s business directory reached a wide audience of decision-makers actively seeking equipment financing solutions. The exposure we gained by listing our business on Yelp brought in high-quality leads that were looking for exactly what we offer.
My advice for anyone looking to get listed on similar platforms is to focus on optimizing your profile. Make sure your business description is clear, concise, and tailored to your target audience. Include testimonials from happy clients to build credibility. It’s important to keep your listing updated with accurate contact details, services offered, and any promotions you may be running. Engaging with reviews, both positive and negative, is another way to show you’re responsive and committed to customer satisfaction.
Gerti Mema
Marketing Manager, Equipment Finance Canada
Drive B2B Leads on LinkedIn
One platform that has consistently generated significant leads for us is LinkedIn. As an innovation-driven company targeting a B2B audience, LinkedIn has been invaluable in connecting with professionals in manufacturing, healthcare, and aerospace industries. The key challenge we faced was reaching decision-makers in a crowded space while showcasing the unique value of our 3D printing solutions. To overcome this, we focused on building a strong company page, sharing thought leadership content like case studies and white papers, and actively engaging with industry-specific LinkedIn Groups.
We leveraged LinkedIn Ads to target professionals based on job titles, industries, and regions, ensuring our messaging reached the right audience. By highlighting real-world applications of our technology—such as how our printers enable cost-effective prototyping or reduce production time—we positioned ourselves as innovators. Engaging directly with prospects through comments, personalized InMail, and webinars helped establish trust and nurtured relationships.
For others looking to maximize LinkedIn, my advice is to focus on showcasing practical value. Share compelling stories about how your solutions solve specific industry problems, and make your presence interactive by responding to inquiries promptly. LinkedIn isn’t just a platform—it’s a tool for fostering meaningful B2B connections and building credibility.
Olivia Tian
Marketing and Innovation Manager, Raise 3D
Leverage Apple Business Connect
Google Business Profiles continue to generate the highest volume of leads for both our company and our clients. However, an emerging directory that many small businesses overlook is Apple Business Connect. In recent years, Apple drastically overhauled their business listing platform, making it a powerful tool worth leveraging. We strongly recommend claiming and fully optimizing your profile on Apple Business Connect, as it integrates across a wide range of Apple products.
Ben Seidel
CEO & Founder, Igniting Business
Maximize Leads on ProductHunt
If you’re into SaaS, ProductHunt is a great website to try. I’ve launched my SaaS tools there several times, and it always gives good results. I usually write a clear description of my tool and offer a special coupon just for ProductHunt users. When the writing is done well and includes the right details, this platform can help you get more than 1,000 views on the first day and bring in some monthly paying customers. For anyone working with SaaS, I highly recommend using ProductHunt. You’ll also get useful feedback to show on your website, along with tips to make your platform better for your users.
Sunny Kumar
Founder & CEO, HeySERP
Succeed with Angi for Roofing
I’ve found incredible success with Angi (formerly Angie’s List) for our roofing business, generating about 30% of our qualified leads last year. When we first listed, I made sure to respond to every review within 24 hours and included detailed photos of our completed projects, which really helped build trust with potential customers. I’d suggest new businesses start by asking their best clients to leave honest reviews and always follow up with a personal message—it’s extra work, but it makes a huge difference in standing out from competitors.
James Kramer
Founder and CEO, Home Pro Roofing
Impactful Leads from Moz Directory
Listing my business on the Moz Directory has made a remarkable impact on generating leads. I wasn’t sure if investing time in an online directory would pay off but Moz has been a super valuable tool. The focus on local SEO and ensuring business listings are accurate means my business is getting in front of the right people—people actively searching for the services I offer.
What sets Moz Directory apart is its credibility and attention to detail. Unlike generic directories that seem to exist just for link building, Moz verifies and ensures all listings are consistent. That builds trust with the search engines and has directly helped my local rankings. For example, after I optimized my business on Moz I saw a big increase in local visibility, and customer inquiries started to roll in.
If you’re considering other platforms, my advice is to focus on accuracy and completeness. Double-check that your business name, address, phone number, and website URL are consistent across all directories—not just Moz. Inconsistencies will confuse the search engines and customers. Make sure to include all the details—descriptions, photos, categories—to make your business stand out.
Finally, treat your listings as a living resource, not a one-time effort. Review and update your information regularly to reflect any changes to your business. That ongoing effort keeps your listings relevant and ensures they continue to deliver value over time. Moz has shown me that using an online directory strategically can do more than just increase visibility—it can drive real leads and growth.
Soubhik Chakrabarti
CEO, Canada Hustle
Cratejoy Boosts Subscription Box Leads
Without a doubt, Cratejoy has been a game-changer for us. As a marketplace dedicated to subscription boxes, it connects highly engaged shoppers who are already looking for curated products. Unlike general e-commerce platforms, Cratejoy specifically targets subscription-based businesses, which means the traffic we get is already pre-qualified and more likely to convert into paying subscribers. Listing on Cratejoy has helped us increase brand visibility, grow our recurring revenue, and attract customers who wouldn’t have found us otherwise.
My advice?
Make sure your listing stands out by optimizing your product images, descriptions, and customer reviews. Subscription marketplaces like Cratejoy are competitive, so you need to clearly communicate what makes your box unique. Use high-quality visuals and emphasize the value customers will get, whether that’s exclusive products, personalization, or discounts for long-term subscribers.
Zarina Bahadur
CEO and Founder, 123 Baby Box
Gain Media Coverage with Featured.com
One of the most unexpected lead-generating platforms we’ve leveraged is Featured.com—not for finding customers directly, but for getting media coverage that leads to high-value inbound leads.
Most people think about directories in terms of Yelp, Clutch, or even Google My Business. But what if the best way to attract leads isn’t by listing where your customers are searching—but by positioning yourself as the expert they trust?
Here’s how it worked for us: We started responding to relevant journalist queries on Featured, offering insightful, non-promotional answers. Within weeks, we were quoted in major industry publications. Those articles then ranked high in search results, often outranking our own website for key terms. As a result, we had clients reach out directly, citing articles where we were featured as the reason they trusted us.
The key takeaway? Instead of fighting for visibility on a crowded business directory, position yourself where decision-makers are already looking for expertise—media and authoritative content. It’s an indirect but incredibly powerful lead-generation strategy.
My advice: If you’re looking to list your business somewhere, don’t just think about directories where you’re competing against hundreds of others. Think about platforms that boost your credibility and put you in front of an audience that already trusts the source—like journalists, industry roundups, or expert panels. The best leads don’t always come from where everyone else is looking.
Derek Pankaew
CEO & Founder, Listening.com
Lead Generation with Trustpilot
With my experience in insurance, I’ve found that Trustpilot has been our biggest lead generator, bringing in about 30 qualified leads per month after we actively started asking satisfied clients to share their experiences. I always suggest responding thoughtfully to both positive and negative reviews, as I’ve noticed potential clients often read through the responses to gauge how we handle different situations.
Gregory Rozdeba
CEO, Dundas Life
Generate Leads with G2
G2 has been a game-changer in generating leads. It’s a platform where potential customers actively look for reviews and recommendations before making decisions, especially in the HR tech space. Listing our business there allowed us to tap into a highly targeted audience, and the user reviews helped build trust and credibility.
My advice to others is simple: focus on getting authentic, positive reviews from your customers. Actively engage with reviews, whether they’re positive or negative, to show that you care about feedback and constantly improve. Make sure your profile is fully optimized, with clear descriptions, use cases, and visuals that highlight your unique selling points. The more information you provide, the more likely you are to stand out and attract leads.
Abhishek Shah
Founder, Testlify
Effective Leads from Justia
For me personally, Justia has been the most effective online directory for generating new business. A lot of attorneys focus on Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell, which can work, but Justia has consistently delivered high-quality leads with less competition. Since listing my firm there, I’ve seen a 40% increase in direct client inquiries compared to other directories. The clients coming through Justia tend to be more informed about their legal needs, which has led to better client retention and more efficient consultations.
I believe the key to getting results from an online listing is optimizing every detail. A basic profile with minimal information will not attract the same level of engagement as one with a clear, well-written description of services. On my Justia profile, I made sure to include specific areas of litigation I focus on, case types I handle, and what clients can expect from working with me. Since making those updates, my profile views have nearly doubled, and consultation requests have increased by 30%.
Nate Baber
Partner and Lawyer, InjuredCT
Success with Coldwell Banker Directory
I’ve had amazing success with Coldwell Banker’s agent directory, which consistently brings in qualified leads from both local and relocating buyers. Last month alone, I connected with three serious clients who found me through my detailed profile, which includes my specialized knowledge of Westport’s waterfront properties and renovation expertise. My advice is to really flesh out your profile with recent sales, genuine client testimonials, and local market insights—don’t just list basic credentials that everyone else has.
Judy Michaelis
Real Estate Broker, Judy Michaelis
Generate Leads on Houzz
For generating leads, it is Houzz. This site connects homeowners with professionals in the home improvement industry and showcases our range of products.
For those seeking to get listed on Houzz or similar platforms, creating a visually appealing portfolio that highlights your best work is essential. Include high-quality images and detailed descriptions of your items, such as custom kitchen cabinets and freestanding bathroom cabinets. Actively participating in the community by answering questions and sharing insights can further establish your expertise and draw potential customers to your profile. Engaging with client reviews also boosts credibility and encourages more inquiries.
Josh Qian
COO and Co-Founder, Best Online Cabinets
Image Credits: Photo by Le Buzz Studio on Unsplash
