Decide who needs to find you
A Southsea retailer, a Cosham salon and a tradesperson travelling across Portsmouth need different information in a listing. Explain whether people visit you, you travel to them or appointments happen online. Name the areas you can reliably serve.
Use your real trading name, a working website and a public business telephone number. Give an accurate customer-facing address or an honest service area; do not imply a walk-in branch where you only work by appointment.
Start with an accurate Portsmouth Directory entry
Search this directory before submitting another listing. A free Standard entry gives an approved business its own page with a description, website and contact details. Choose the most suitable category and service tags, then explain what a local customer can ask you to do.
Provide an owner contact email you control. That contact stays private unless public display is explicitly chosen. Use a clear logo or a photograph you have permission to share; practical detail is more helpful than copied reviews or unsupported claims.
Consider the council’s local listing service
Portsmouth City Council points local businesses towards Rediscover Portsmouth, its free business-listing service promoted to residents shopping locally. Check the current registration process and whether its audience suits your business before applying.
For tourism-related businesses, Visit Portsmouth separately offers a free basic listing with categories for attractions, accommodation, shops, food and drink, and venues. Follow its current eligibility and image requirements rather than assuming the two services share one application.
Use networks for the right purpose
Shaping Portsmouth connects business, education and community programmes. It is worth exploring for local relationships and support, rather than treating every network as just another place to paste a directory description.
An eligible Google Business Profile and relevant professional registers can provide other routes to discovery. Compare platforms by their audience and rules. No directory, membership or profile guarantees search rankings, enquiries or sales.
Maintain the listing after approval
Check your published page for the correct phone, website, location and image. Use Edit this listing to request a management link sent to the email already on file; contact the publisher if that address is no longer accessible.
Review the details whenever your services or premises change. Featured placement is optional; the current offer is explained on this directory’s information page. Keep the entry useful whichever listing type you choose.
Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
More local guides
- About Portsmouth: the harbour, Southsea and everyday city life
- Things to do in Portsmouth: ships, Southsea and local culture
- Portsmouth community contacts: councils, libraries and local support
- Shopping in Portsmouth: Southsea independents, markets and local centres