Make it clear what you do and where you work
A good local listing answers a practical question: can this business help with the job or purchase I have in mind? Use your trading name and explain your main services in ordinary language. A roofer, accountant, café and community group need different descriptions, even when they serve the same part of Durham.
State your real base and the places you cover. A tradesperson in Langley Moor may travel into the centre, while a shop in Durham may serve customers from surrounding villages. Neither needs a made-up city-centre address. Distinguish Durham city from the much wider county when describing your catchment.
Choose categories and service tags that match the work
Select the main category that best describes the business, then use service tags for genuine specialisms. A building firm should not add electrical or gas services simply to appear in more searches. Explain the work you actually provide, and make any qualifications or membership claims precise and current.
Be specific enough to help a customer choose. For example, describe the types of roof repairs, bookkeeping work, vehicle servicing or beauty appointments available. Avoid a long list of repeated town names or promotional claims that a visitor cannot check. Clear information is more useful than filling every field with keywords.
Use contact details and an image you can maintain
Include a working telephone number, your own website and an email address you control. The submission form lets you choose whether the email is shown publicly. An accurate management contact also matters when you need to look after the listing later; do not use another business’s address.
Upload a complete logo, a clear premises photograph or an image of your own work that you have permission to use. Keep lettering inside the image bounds, and avoid screenshots containing private customer details. A recognisable image helps people connect the listing with the business they intended to find.
Keep the listing useful after it goes live
Review your listing when your telephone number, website, base or service area changes. If work is appointment-only, explain how customers should arrange it. A clear description of collection, visits or mobile service prevents an enquiry from becoming a wasted journey.
The Durham Directory sits alongside your own website and other local information. Inclusion does not promise leads or search rankings. Its value depends on accurate, useful entries that help people compare options and contact the right organisation. Use the site’s account and management process when you need to update an existing listing.
Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
More local guides
- About Durham: city, river and nearby villages
- Things to do in Durham: riverside walks, heritage and culture
- Durham community contacts: everyday help and local connections
- Shopping in Durham: markets, independent shops and local finds
- What’s on in Durham: November and December 2026