Noticed UK vs Yell : Which Business Listing Is Right For You? Choosing where to list your business online can make a big difference in how easily customers find you. Two common options in the UK are Noticed UK and Yell. Both aim to boost your local presence, but they work in different ways.
This guide will help you understand how each listing works, what they offer, and which one might suit your business best. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your reach, this simple comparison will make it easier to decide.
Noticed.uk vs Yell: A Comprehensive Comparison for UK Local Business Listings
Overview of Platforms
Yell Business Directory
Established in 1966 as the Yellow Pages, Yell is a veteran in local business directories. Over decades it has evolved into a broad digital marketing platform for UK businesses.
Yell helps “millions of consumers find the local services they need” each month and offers businesses extensive solutions to be found, trusted, and chosen online.
Its services go beyond listings: Yell provides managed digital advertising, website design, social media and search engine campaigns, and an app-based marketplace for local services.
In short, Yell aims to be an all-in-one marketing partner – from business profiles and customer reviews to building websites and running ads. Its long history and large user base mean strong brand recognition and a wide reach in the UK market.
Noticed UK
Noticed is a newer entrant positioning itself as an underdog directory focused on connecting local companies with clients quickly and easily.
It is a UK business directory and lead-generation platform that matches customers with vetted local businesses in their area.
Every company listed on Noticed is “carefully selected, ensuring quality and reliability”, which reflects its curated approach.
For consumers, the process is simple: share details of the service needed, and Noticed provides a tailored list of top-rated local businesses.
For business owners, Noticed offers a dedicated profile in its directory (with company description, services, photos, contact details, etc.) and the promise of improved online visibility without the hassle or high cost often associated with traditional advertising.
In essence, Noticed positions itself as a modern, customer-centric directory that takes the hassle out of finding or advertising local services.
Core Features and Services
Both platforms help UK businesses get listed and discovered online, but their feature sets differ in scope and philosophy:
Business Profiles & Listings
On Yell, any business can create a profile (free or paid) including contact details, description, hours, photos, and even videos.
Yell profiles also integrate a customer review system where clients can leave ratings and comments directly on the listing – building trust through social proof.
Yell’s strength is its sheer scale: a basic free listing puts you in a nationwide directory, and paid options can boost your visibility on Yell’s site and app.
In contrast, Noticed.uk provides a more hands-on profile setup. Businesses submit their information via a detailed sign-up (covering services offered, service areas, social media links, logos, gallery images, etc.).
The Noticed team then curates the listing content, ensuring it’s comprehensive and optimised.
Noticed does not currently show a consumer-facing review mechanism on profiles, focusing instead on pre-selecting quality businesses and encouraging direct inquiries.
This curated model means every Noticed profile is rich in information and presented as a trusted local provider from the start.
Visibility & SEO Tools
Visibility & SEO Tools: Yell leverages its domain authority and partnerships to spread your business information widely.
According to Yell, a premium listing gives your business “a strong online presence across up to 58 platforms” and includes features like ads on Yell.com/Yell app, a presence on partner sites, and tools to manage reviews and social posts.
Yell essentially syndicates your business info to many channels for maximum reach. Noticed, being a standalone directory, focuses on improving visibility through search optimisation of your listing on its site.
Noticed UK’s Premium package will boost your position to the top of your service category and location, and their content experts include relevant keywords in your profile to help it rank higher on Google.
Noticed explicitly states that premium listings “provide a credible link” to your website, improving your site’s exposure on search engines. In summary, Yell casts a wide net (multi-platform presence and paid ad campaigns), whereas Noticed hones in on making your profile search-engine-friendly and prominent within their platform.
Customer Lead Generation
Both platforms ultimately aim to generate leads. Yell has a traditional search interface where users can find businesses and read reviews, as well as a “Post your enquiry” feature for users who want Yell to circulate their job request to relevant businesses.
Noticed UK’s model is inherently built around matching customer requests to businesses – users fill out a short form about the service they need, and Noticed provides a list of suitable local providers or forwards the enquiry to those providers.
This is similar in concept to lead marketplaces like Bark or Checkatrade.
The lead matching approach can benefit Noticed-listed businesses by delivering interested customers directly to them, rather than relying on the customer to sift through many listings.
Yell has such functionality too, but it’s one of many features on a much larger platform.
Additional Services
Both Noticed UK and Yell offer full-scale digital marketing packages which can include a custom-built website, SEO services, PPC advertising management, social media management, and more.
Yell and Noticed UK will build you a templated website and even manage Google Ads on your behalf as part of an upgraded plan.
The benefit of this approach is a one-stop-shop convenience for busy SMEs.
Local business owners can choose to focus on connecting local customers and businesses via an effective listing, or engaging in a suite of marketing services.
Feature Comparison Table
Below is a side-by-side look at key features of Noticed UK and Yell:
| Feature / Aspect | Noticed.uk (Underdog) | Yell.com (Established) |
| Business Profile Listing | Free basic listing (mobile-friendly) with comprehensive details (services, photos, social links). Team helps curate content for quality. Premium listings get top placement in categories. | Free basic listing (name, address, phone, etc.) available to all. Paid plans unlock priority placement (sponsored listing) in search results. Profiles can include description, images, videos, and are visible on Yell’s site/app. |
| Customer Reviews on Listing | No native review system shown; businesses are vetted before listing to ensure quality. Relies on word-of-mouth and external reviews for credibility. Noticed highlights that premium exposure can lead to better local feedback and recommendations. | Yes – built-in reviews. Customers can rate and review businesses on Yell.com. These reviews display on the listing, influencing ranking and trust. Yell encourages businesses to request and manage reviews through its platform. This provides social proof, but there have been concerns about review legitimacy from some users (e.g. allegations of unverifiable “fake” reviews on some listings). |
| SEO Boost & Visibility | Premium service includes SEO optimisation of the listing – Noticed adds keyword-rich descriptions and provides a quality backlink to the business’s own site to improve Google rankings. Fewer total listings means less competition on the platform, potentially giving each premium listing more visibility. | Leverages Yell’s high domain authority – Yell pages often rank well on Google for local queries due to the site’s size and age. Paid listings can also be promoted via Yell’s Google Ads or distributed to “up to 58 platforms” online. However, SEO benefits to the business’s own website are indirect (Yell’s link to your site may be no-follow). Yell’s approach favours broad online presence via its network. |
| Lead Generation Approach | Active matching: Users can submit an enquiry and get a tailored list of businesses or quotes quickly. Noticed staff may also assist in connecting the customer with the right provider (concierge-like service). Business profiles are designed to convert with clear contact info and “Call Us” prompts. | Directory search: Users search by category/keyword and location on Yell or browse categories. Additionally, Yell offers a “Post your job” feature where the request is sent to multiple Yell advertisers. The directory is extensive, so customers have many options – good for consumer choice but competitive for businesses. |
| Pricing Model | Transparent and value-focused. Listing a business is free. Premium listings (paid) are available for enhanced exposure; pricing is not published on the site (likely a flat fee or subscription communicated upon inquiry, without long-term lock-in). The emphasis is on low-cost advertising – Noticed “reduces the cost of advertising for businesses”. No evidence of multi-month contracts for basic service – likely pay-as-you-go or short term. | Freemium with sales-driven upgrades. Free basic listing exists, but Yell’s revenue comes from selling advertising packages. Sales reps often propose annual contracts for enhanced visibility, websites, or PPC management. Costs can range widely (e.g. ~£50/month for minimal web presence, up to hundreds or nearly £1,000/month for comprehensive packages). Contracts are typically 12 months and auto-renewing, which some customers find lacking in transparency. |
| Customer Support | Personalised and proactive. As a smaller company, Noticed prides itself on hands-on support. Business owners report that the team is “genuinely invested” from the first call, answering questions, helping refine listings, and even making adjustments without fuss. The support is described as friendly, not pushy, and focused on customer success rather than hard selling. | Varies; sales-heavy. Yell provides an account manager, but many businesses experience this largely at renewal time. Support for paid services exists (phone and online help), but numerous reviews cite issues: “once they’ve got your card details, you’re on your own” with little proactive help. Aggressive sales tactics are a common complaint (reps “promising the world” and being “pushy” to close deals). Yell does respond to online complaints and has support staff, but personalization is harder at Yell’s scale. |
| User Interface & Experience | Modern & straightforward. The Noticed website is clean and easy to navigate, with clear categories and a simple form for requests. Business profiles are mobile-friendly by design. Because listings are curated, users searching on Noticed get a concise selection of quality options, making the experience more focused. Business owners benefit from the Noticed team’s help in creating the profile – they don’t need to grapple with complex dashboards. | Feature-rich but can be complex. Yell.com is a robust site with many categories, filters, and advertising banners. Consumers have a familiar search bar and can see reviews, but they may also encounter sponsored listings and ads. The interface is functional but some find it cluttered due to the breadth of content. For business users, Yell offers a portal (and mobile app) to manage their listing, ads, and reviews. However, if Yell built your website, making changes isn’t DIY – one must request edits via Yell support, which in practice are sometimes “late or not made at all” according to some experiences. This can be frustrating, giving an outdated feel of lack of control. |
Pricing: Transparency and Value for Money
Is Yell Value for Money?
Yell’s pricing has been a point of contention for many small businesses. On paper, Yell offers a free listing, but the company’s strategy is to upgrade clients into paid packages. These can be quite costly and often require an annual commitment.
For example, even back in 2015, Yell was quoting ~£190 per month for a priority listing in two local areas (guaranteeing top placement on Yell and supposedly on Google).
Today, comprehensive packages that include managed Google Ads can run on the order of hundreds to around £1,000 per month for a small business.
Yell typically doesn’t publish standard price lists; instead, sales reps negotiate packages, which can lead to inconsistency and a feeling of non-transparency.
A significant issue reported is the contract structure. Yell’s contracts often lock clients in for 12 months with no easy exit.
Some business owners have felt misled about contract terms – for instance, one customer was “talked into a 12 month contract” after being led to believe it was a flexible 28-day rolling term.
Early termination usually incurs penalties or requires paying off the remainder. This lack of flexibility means if the service isn’t yielding results, you’re still stuck paying.
Additionally, there are anecdotes of hidden or opaque fees: one Yell PPC customer discovered that Yell was taking 33% of his ad budget as a management fee (information not immediately clear up front), leaving only 67% to actually go towards ads.
This contributed to a poor ROI in that case. Yell’s value for money is highly debated – while some clients with larger budgets might see results, many small businesses feel the returns don’t justify the cost.
A scathing summary from one reviewer: “Honestly, don’t bother with Yell… I’ve been paying nearly £1,000 a month and haven’t had a single proper lead… All they do is make promises, take your money, and deliver nothing”. Such experiences highlight why Yell is often viewed as expensive for what it delivers.
Is Noticed UK Value for Money?
In contrast, Noticed markets itself on affordability and clear value. The platform allows any business to create a free listing, which already puts you in their directory and eligible to receive customer enquiries.
For businesses looking for more exposure, Noticed offers a Premium listing upgrade. While exact prices aren’t publicly shown, the process appears transparent – likely a fixed monthly or annual fee for being “featured” in your category/area (and one can presume it’s a modest fee given Noticed UK’s focus on reducing advertising costs ).
Importantly, Noticed does not bind businesses to long contracts for the listing service – there’s no 12-month lock-in for a Premium listing. This flexibility means if a business tries the Premium option and isn’t satisfied, they can presumably cancel without the nightmare scenarios seen with Yell.
Value for money, from the customer perspective, seems positive: because Noticed Uk’s fees are lower and the team actively works on your behalf (crafting your profile, promoting it), even one or two new jobs coming from Noticed can justify the cost.
In fact, multiple Noticed users note they started seeing leads soon after signing up, suggesting a quick payoff. One reviewer wrote, “It actually worked out way better than I imagined… I’m already seeing more leads… No pushy sales pitch, just good ol’ support. Couldn’t ask for more.”.
This indicates that Noticed is managing to deliver tangible value without the hefty price tag or fine print.
In summary, Noticed provides a more budget-friendly, pay-for-performance approach, whereas Yell often requires a significant upfront investment (or contract) with results that may or may not materialize.
Noticed UK’s transparent “freemium” model and optional upgrades give businesses control over how much they spend, in stark contrast to Yell’s high-pressure sales and bundled services. For a small local business wary of wasting money, this transparency and lack of hidden fees can make Noticed a very attractive alternative.
Local SEO Performance and Effectiveness
Visibility in local search (Google in particular) is a critical outcome for any directory listing. Here’s how Yell and Noticed compare in terms of Local SEO impact and effectiveness at driving leads:
Yell SEO Performance
Strength in Domain Authority, but Mixed Effectiveness: Yell.com is a high-authority website; as a result, a business listing on Yell can often rank on the first page of Google for “[Business Type] in [Town]” searches.
In fact, marketers have observed Yell listings sometimes “dominating local search results” simply due to Yell’s overall SEO power, even if the listing itself has thin content. This means having a presence on Yell could help your business get found via the Yell page.
However, the actual benefit to the business is indirect – a potential customer might click the Yell result and see a list of competitors (including yours).
Yell’s own SEO strategy drives traffic to Yell’s site (where they can showcase multiple businesses and their own ads) rather than directly to your website. Yell does claim that as part of its paid solutions, they will keep your information updated across dozens of platforms (e.g., Apple Maps, Bing, Yahoo, Yelp, etc.) to improve local citations for SEO.
This broad citation approach can help consistency of NAP (Name-Address-Phone) data, which is a positive for local SEO.
That said, Yell’s effectiveness in generating meaningful leads via SEO is questionable according to many clients. Simply being listed on Yell doesn’t guarantee calls – you might just be one among many on Yell’s page.
Some businesses have reported that Yell’s additional SEO services (like building a Yell website or running ads) are outdated or poorly executed.
For example, Yell-built sites historically did not allow integration of Google Analytics and had very basic SEO, which limited their performance.
Yell’s approach to running Google Ads for clients also drew criticism for using broad targeting that led to irrelevant clicks (e.g., a local kitchen designer’s ads showing up for generic searches like “painters and decorators”).
These practices suggest that Yell’s “managed SEO/PPC” might not be as effective as a specialized approach tailored to the client. As one business owner lamented, “since we signed up [for Yell’s Adwords service], we have seen a massive drop in business while paying MORE… Less specific targeting… less traffic… money spent very ineffectively”.
In short, Yell has the SEO clout to get visibility, but it doesn’t always translate into quality leads for the individual business, especially if the implementation is generic.
Noticed SEO Performance
Focused SEO Optimisation for Profiles: Noticed.uk, being newer, does not yet have the nationwide domain authority that Yell enjoys. This means a Noticed business profile might not automatically rank as high on Google as a Yell page for the same query.
A realistic expectation is that Noticed is still building its SEO presence. However, Noticed tries to compensate by optimizing each listing for search engines.
The Noticed team explicitly adds relevant keywords to your business description and ensures all key details (services, locations, etc.) are present to improve your chances of ranking.
Essentially, they apply on-page SEO best practices to your profile. For example, if you’re a plumber in Leeds, your Noticed profile content will be crafted to mention plumbing services in Leeds, emergency call-outs, nearby areas served, etc., making it more likely to appear in a Google search for those terms.
Furthermore, Noticed provides a direct backlink to your own website from your profile. This link is described as “credible” which implies it’s a quality link that could marginally boost your site’s SEO (assuming it’s a dofollow link – even if not, it can still drive referral traffic).
Another aspect of Noticed’s effectiveness is the targeted matching: rather than relying solely on random search traffic, Noticed’s enquiry system means you could receive a lead notification when a customer specifically requests your service in your area.
This isn’t traditional SEO, but it’s an important conversion mechanism. It bypasses search engines altogether – the customer comes to Noticed and Noticed feeds the opportunity directly to businesses.
In this way, Noticed delivers highly relevant local leads (someone who wants a plumber in Leeds right now, for example), which is the ultimate goal of local SEO without needing to compete on Google at all.
From early customer feedback, Noticed Uk’s approach seems to be working in practice. Users have noted “quicker results” and an uptick in inquiries after joining. One review mentioned, “My listing went live quickly… [They] guided me through each step… definitely recommend this service for anyone needing quicker results!”.
This suggests that Noticed is effective at getting businesses in front of ready-to-buy customers in a short time frame. It might not have Yell’s massive search traffic yet, but the leads it generates are more targeted and relevant.
SEO Performance Summary:
Yell wins in sheer visibility due to its longevity and SEO dominance, but that visibility doesn’t always equal value (many businesses report low ROI on those eyeballs).
Noticed, as an underdog, is carving out visibility through precision – optimizing individual listings and actively connecting the dots between customer needs and businesses.
For a business concerned with local SEO, being on Yell is almost a given (for the citation if nothing else), but being on Noticed could mean a more effective SEO presence, especially as the platform grows.
And importantly, Noticed UK’s SEO benefits come without the risk of the broad, untargeted campaigns that Yell might upsell. As Noticed puts it, their premium listings “boost SEO” and help clients discover your business more easily – a promise that aligns with what a lean, well-optimized directory can do.
Customer Support and Service Quality
When investing in any platform to promote your business, the quality of customer support and service is crucial. Here the philosophies of Noticed and Yell diverge considerably, with one being a high-touch boutique service and the other a large-scale operation with a mixed reputation.
Noticed UK Customer Support
High-Touch, “More About Customers than Money”: As a smaller company, Noticed appears to prioritize each customer’s experience to build its reputation. Reviews consistently praise the personal support provided. Business owners describe the Noticed team as patient, responsive, and genuinely helpful.
For example, one customer wrote: “Setting up was quick, and the team was super helpful, walking me through everything without being pushy. Really pleased!” Others echoed that setting up was straightforward with guidance at every step and no aggressive upselling.
The fact that Noticed actually calls new sign-ups to assist (within an hour, in one case ) shows a proactive approach. Even if there were minor delays or issues (inevitable in any service), users say Noticed UK’s staff remained “super supportive” and made the process easy.
The support ethos is summed up well by a review stating “Great communication… Helpful with advice & not pushy… Took the time to help out. End result – very good.”.
Another simply said, “Customer care [is] great, more about customers than money.”.
This indicates that Noticed is trying to build trust and long-term relationships rather than chasing quick sales. As the underdog, every success story matters to them, so they go the extra mile – even dedicating specific account managers who “go the extra mile” to resolve issues.
The relatively small scale means if you call or email, you’re likely to reach a knowledgeable team member quickly (possibly even the same person who set up your listing).
In summary, Noticed delivers a support experience akin to a boutique service, treating each business as a valued client, which can be refreshing compared to big corporations.
Yell Customer Support
Scaled-Up Support, with Sales at the Forefront: Yell, being a large company with tens of thousands of customers, has a very different support structure. Every Yell paying customer typically gets an account manager, but the quality of interaction can vary widely.
Many customers report that Yell’s contact with them is largely sales-driven – the account manager’s primary goal is often to renew or upsell the contract each year.
One commentator noted that your Yell account manager is “a salesperson who gets in touch once a year to renew your contract rather than a marketer who works with you regularly to improve results.”.
This suggests a lack of ongoing consultative support. Indeed, a common complaint is that after the sale is made, Yell’s support becomes unresponsive or slow. “No real support” after onboarding is a phrase that comes up in reviews.
In one illustrative Trustpilot review, a small business owner lamented: “All they do is make promises, take your money, and deliver nothing… once they’ve got your card details, you’re on your own.
No results, no accountability, no real support.”. Yell does have customer service lines and a help centre, and to its credit, it replies to 99% of negative reviews on Trustpilot (often with an offer to investigate).
However, the pattern of issues – difficulty getting out of contracts, having to chase for campaign performance updates, or slow changes to websites/listings – points to a systematic support problem.
Another sore point is Yell’s pushy sales tactics on the support side. Many users recount experiences of unsolicited calls where Yell reps used high-pressure tactics.
One reviewer said the Yell rep was extremely pushy and even “rude… not letting me go” when he tried to decline, which was unexpected “from a big company like Yell.”.
This aggressiveness can continue once you’re a customer, with constant pitches for upgrades. It can make businesses feel less like valued clients and more like targets for revenue.
In worst cases, some have felt harassed or mis-sold, leading to formal complaints and even legal action threats (there are online “action groups” for those who feel mis-sold by Yell).
In fairness, not every Yell experience is bad – there are business owners who have good relationships with their reps and do get attentive service.
And Yell does provide certain support that a small firm like Noticed cannot, such as a large knowledge base of marketing guides, and perhaps more automated tools (e.g., the Yell for Business app to manage your profile).
But overall market sentiment suggests Yell’s support is impersonal and hit-or-miss. It’s the classic case of a big corporation vs a small startup: Yell has more resources but also more bureaucracy, whereas Noticed is nimble and eager to please.
If having a dedicated point of contact who actually cares about your results is important, Noticed seems to excel there. One Noticed client even named team members who helped him, noting they “weren’t too pushy” and guided him through upgrading his listing in a friendly manner – an anecdote rarely heard with Yell.
Customer Support Summary
In conclusion, Noticed wins on support quality for the average user, providing a responsive, human touch. Yell’s support, while extensive in offerings, often falls short in responsiveness and genuine care, as evidenced by the volume of customer complaints.
For a small business that might need a bit of hand-holding or fast answers, this distinction is critical. The underdog advantage for Noticed here is clear: they can offer customer service that treats you like a partner, not just a number.
User Experience and Interface
User experience (UX) encompasses both the interface that consumers use to find businesses and the experience business owners have in using the platform. Here’s how Noticed and Yell compare:
For Consumers (Finding Local Businesses)
Yell:
As a consumer-facing platform, Yell.com is well-known and widely used. The interface is akin to a search engine or a modern Yellow Pages – you enter a keyword and location, and Yell returns a list of matching businesses. It also suggests popular categories and has filtering options (by ratings, location, etc.).
Yell’s site includes maps, directions, and the ability to contact businesses directly through the site or app. The design has improved over the years, but given the vast amount of content, it can feel busy. Users might see sponsored listings at the top (clearly marked “Ad” or “Sponsored”), which are paid placements.
Below that, the organic (free) listings are shown, often with those having better reviews or more complete profiles appearing more prominently. Yell also integrates articles and guides on its site (for SEO and added value), so the interface is a bit of an ecosystem beyond just listings.
The sheer breadth of Yell’s directory is a double-edged sword: consumers have lots of choices, but sometimes too many choices can be overwhelming. However, Yell does allow sorting by rating, which helps surface quality businesses.
The presence of reviews on Yell profiles is a plus for user experience – seeing a star rating next to each business helps in decision-making at a glance.
Yell also offers a mobile app which streamlines the experience for on-the-go searches, and features like the “Post your enquiry” (where Yell will circulate your request to multiple providers) add convenience for users who don’t want to call around.
Noticed UK:
Being a newer platform, Noticed’s consumer interface is relatively simple and clean. The homepage invites users to either search for providers or submit a request.
Noticed emphasizes matching the user to the “best local businesses” without the user having to do the heavy lifting. In practice, a user can choose a category or type in what they need (e.g., “plumber in Manchester”) and Noticed will show relevant businesses.
Alternatively, the user can fill in a short form describing their job and contact info; Noticed will then send this enquiry to appropriate businesses in their network (or present the user with a shortlist). Because Noticed carefully curates its listings, a search typically yields a handful of vetted providers rather than dozens of random names.
This can be a more streamlined experience for users – instead of combing through 50 options on a big directory, they might get 3–5 top options on Noticed, each with a detailed profile. The profiles themselves on Noticed are user-friendly: they clearly display contact information (“Call us” buttons), a list of services, and business hours in a tidy layout.
There is no clutter of ads on the profile page, and each profile has a consistent, clean design. One thing Noticed lacks for consumers is internal reviews/ratings – you won’t see star counts on Noticed listings as you would on Yell.
This might be because Noticed only lists trusted providers to begin with (possibly leveraging external reviews or certifications when deciding whom to list). To a user, this means they have to trust Noticed’s vetting or do a bit of external research (e.g., check Google reviews) if they want to validate the quality.
Noticed does showcase some testimonials on its site front page, which are positive experiences from people who found services through the directory , but these are not the same as a robust review system per business.
Overall, Noticed’s UX for consumers is straightforward and focused on quickly getting you to a solution, whereas Yell’s is feature-rich but more involved.
For Business Owners (Using the Platform):
Yell:
Business owners interacting with Yell will likely use the Yell Business portal or consult with their Yell account manager for changes. If you have a free listing, you can claim it and update details yourself via an online interface (adding photos, editing description, etc.).
Yell’s interface for that is fairly standard, though some have found it non-intuitive at times. If you’re on a paid plan, you might rely on Yell’s team to do certain updates (especially if it’s a Yell-built website or ad campaign).
One pain point noted historically is that if Yell controls your website, you cannot make edits directly – you must request changes. JDR Group recounted that with Yell websites, “you can’t make any changes yourself – you request the changes by email or phone but… these changes are either late or not made at all.”.
This is clearly frustrating from a UX perspective for business owners, essentially leaving them powerless over their own content. Another UX consideration is the analytics and reporting Yell provides.
Yell tends to use its own dashboards to show you how your listing or ads are performing. Some users have found these dashboards lacking detail – e.g., one client was not given Google Analytics access and had to rely on Yell’s basic stats which gave very little insight.
A positive in Yell’s interface is the integration – from the Yell portal, a business can manage their Yell listing, see and respond to Yell reviews, and even monitor their ads (if Yell is running them).
So it’s one login for multiple marketing channels, which is convenient if all is going well. The Yell for Business mobile app similarly consolidates these functions for on-the-go management.
The design of these tools is serviceable but not particularly modern or innovative – they get the job done but can feel a bit outdated in approach, reflecting Yell’s legacy systems.
Noticed UK:
Business owners working with Noticed have a very simplified experience. Initially, you provide your business info via the sign-up form on their site. After submission, it appears the Noticed team takes over to format and publish your listing (they may call you to clarify details or gather more info).
This means you, as the owner, don’t have to wrestle with formatting or SEO – it’s done for you. If you want to update something (say, add a new service or change your hours), you likely can contact Noticed’s support and they’ll update the listing.
This concierge model means there isn’t a typical self-service dashboard for Noticed (at least none is mentioned publicly). While this means slightly less control at your fingertips, the trade-off is you have a partner handling the technical bits.
The overall UX is extremely user-friendly for non-technical business owners – you basically just communicate what you want and Noticed implements it. From the tone of customer reviews, Noticed is quick to make adjustments when asked.
One reviewer noted they “didn’t mind when I asked for adjustments” to the listing , implying the process to tweak your profile is easy and welcome.
In terms of analytics, Noticed hasn’t indicated having a fancy dashboard; they might provide lead notifications via email/phone when customers inquire. As the platform grows, they may introduce a portal, but currently the experience is very much “tell us what you need and we handle it.”
This low-friction approach is great for busy tradespeople or local businesses who don’t have the time or desire to log into yet another system.
User Experience Summary:
In summary, for user experience, if you prefer a minimalist, done-for-you approach, Noticed shines. It strips away the complexity and leaves both the end-user and the business owner with just the essentials needed to connect.
Yell, by virtue of its size, offers more bells and whistles, which can be beneficial if you want to self-service a lot of marketing tasks in one place, but it also means more complexity and the risk of feeling like the system isn’t fully in your control (especially if you’ve let Yell handle your website/ads).
Yell’s interface is functional but carries the baggage of an older enterprise, whereas Noticed’s interface is modern, simple, and customer-centric.
One could say Yell’s UX is built to scale (one size fits all, somewhat rigid), while Noticed’s UX is built to adapt to each user (flexible and personal).
Depending on your preference, you might value one over the other – but many small businesses will likely appreciate Noticed’s straightforwardness after experiencing the complexity of platforms like Yell.
Reputation, Reviews, and Market Sentiment
The reputation of these platforms in the eyes of the businesses using them (and the general public) is an important consideration. Here we’ll look at overall market sentiment, including verified customer feedback and reviews, for Noticed.uk and Yell.
Yell’s Reputation:
As a long-standing player, Yell has a mixed to average reputation among UK small businesses. On one hand, Yell is a recognized brand (many people still equate it with the idea of “the phone book for businesses”), and it has a large customer base.
There are companies that have stuck with Yell’s services for years, some even decades, which suggests that at least for certain businesses, Yell delivered value historically. On public review platforms, however, Yell’s image is tarnished by a significant number of complaints.
On Trustpilot, Yell is rated 3.5 out of 5 (categorized as “Average”) with over 15,000 reviews. Notably, 24% of Yell’s reviewers gave a 1-star “Bad” rating , which is substantial.
Common themes in negative reviews include: feeling scammed or mis-sold, being locked into contracts, poor return on investment, and unhelpful customer service.
Some reviewers use extremely harsh language – for instance, “SHOULD BE ILLEGAL! Huge scammers, stay away new businesses!” or “They prey on small start-up businesses… promising the world and deliver nothing but scam calls. Absolutely disgusting behaviour”.
These are obviously very upset customers, but there are enough of them to detect a pattern.
Another recurring issue in Yell’s reputation is trustworthiness and transparency. There have been accusations (like the one mentioned earlier) of Yell populating listings with fake customer reviews to make their service look effective , though Yell denies such practices.
While we can’t verify those specific claims, the fact that a customer would even suspect that indicates low trust. Yell’s parent company (formerly known as hibu) also went through well-publicized financial troubles about a decade ago, and although that’s in the past, it perhaps contributes to a narrative of a company that struggled to adapt.
In digital marketing circles, Yell’s services are often viewed skeptically. Industry blogs and experts frequently advise caution in using Yell.
For example, one blog titled “Yell.com review: A scam that will hurt your business” aggregated many user comments about “poorly managed campaigns, pushy salesmen and broken promises”.
Another expert dubbed the phenomenon “The Death of Yell” – highlighting how many small businesses felt burned by expensive Yell contracts that yielded no results.
It’s not all bad: Yell does have positive reviews too – 62% of Trustpilot reviews are 5 or 4 stars. Satisfied customers often mention a helpful Yell rep or a decent influx of calls/leads at the start.
In fact, Yell’s aggregate rating of 3.5 suggests a very polarized base: some love it, many hate it. The market sentiment overall among tech-savvy small business owners skews negative, primarily due to the stories of hidden fees and aggressive sales.
Yell’s reputation in forums and social media is that of a company using somewhat outdated methods (cold-calling, hard selling) to sell modern services – a disconnect that undercuts trust.
Noticed UK’s Reputation:
As a newer entrant, Noticed doesn’t have the sheer volume of feedback that Yell has, but early indicators are quite promising. On Trustpilot, Noticed UK is rated 4.5 out of 5 (an “Excellent” rating) with the vast majority of reviewers (90%) giving 5 stars.
Although there are only 20+ reviews so far , the consistency of praise is notable. Business owners speak highly of the results and the service. Words like “helpful”, “supportive”, “genuine”, and “professional” appear frequently.
We did not come across any serious complaints or negative reviews about Noticed in our research – the worst might be a minor comment about a delay in updates (which was resolved). This is a great start for building a positive reputation.
Noticed is also positioning itself as a bit of a community trusted platform. By highlighting that they carefully select businesses and ensure quality, they are trying to create an image of reliability for end-users. It’s akin to what Checkatrade or TrustATrader do (screening businesses before listing them).
This approach, if maintained, could give Noticed a strong reputation among consumers as well – knowing that “if it’s on Noticed, it’s a reputable firm.” That kind of trust can take time to build, but it’s a differentiator from Yell, which is an open directory with no such vetting (anyone can list on Yell, leading to mixed quality).
From the viewpoint of businesses, Noticed’s early adopters feel they are getting value and being treated well. Quotes like “It has made a huge difference to my company.
I highly recommend them.” and “Good service… I had a phone call within an hour of signing up to tell me my listing was live and to check I was happy with everything” reflect a level of satisfaction that will serve Noticed’s word-of-mouth well.
If Noticed continues to deliver leads and maintain transparent dealings, its reputation should remain strong.
The challenge for Noticed will be scaling this positive experience as they grow – but being aware of the pitfalls Yell fell into (e.g., don’t oversell, keep support quality high) will help them avoid tarnishing their name.
Public Perception – The Underdog vs the Giant:
In the narrative of an underdog competing with a giant, Noticed can capitalize on being the fresh alternative to the “incumbent that people love to hate.” Many small businesses are actively looking for options other than Yell because of past bad experiences.
If Noticed is savvy, it will emphasize the ways it’s different: no long contracts, no hidden fees, genuine support, etc. Already, Noticed’s marketing messaging touches on those points (e.g., reducing advertising cost, simplifying the process, focusing on trust ). This appeals to businesses who feel burned by Yell’s “old tricks.”
One can gauge market sentiment by how these brands are discussed. On small business forums and Reddit, one frequently sees warnings like “Avoid Yell, not worth it”.
In contrast, Noticed doesn’t have such baggage; it’s more likely to be introduced by someone saying “Hey, has anyone tried Noticed.uk? I heard they’re pretty good.” The fact that Noticed is still building its brand means it doesn’t carry negative connotations – and if it continues to focus on customer success stories, those will define its reputation.
To sum up, Yell’s reputation is one of a once-dominant service that now faces a lot of criticism from its user base, whereas Noticed’s reputation is that of a rising player with goodwill on its side.
Quantitatively, Noticed’s Trustpilot score (4.5★) eclipses Yell’s (3.5★) , albeit on a smaller sample. Qualitatively, the sentiment is that Noticed is “doing things right” where Yell often “gets it wrong.” This positive market sentiment is a valuable asset for Noticed as it competes against the much larger Yell.
Noticed UK’s Underdog Advantages vs Yell – Key Takeaways
Bringing it all together, it’s clear that Noticed.uk, though smaller, can compete strongly with Yell by excelling in areas where Yell is weakest. Here are the areas where Noticed outperforms or addresses a shortcoming of Yell, effectively turning its underdog status into an advantage:
- Transparent, Fair Pricing (vs. Yell’s Hidden Fees & Contracts): Noticed operates with straightforward free and premium options. Businesses know what they’re getting and are not locked into long commitments. This is a breath of fresh air compared to Yell’s reputation for opaque pricing and surprise costs. Yell’s 12-month contracts and stories of unexpected fees have angered many.
- Noticed UK’s no-nonsense approach – no binding contract unless you choose premium, and even then it’s presumably flexible – makes businesses feel safe. The underdog can proudly say it won’t trap you or bleed you dry; you stay because you’re getting value, not because you’re stuck.
- Personalised Support and Trust (vs. Yell’s Sales-Driven Approach): Noticed has scored high marks for genuinely caring about its clients. This directly contrasts with Yell, where many feel like they’re just a number or a quota to hit. By being responsive, patient, and not pushy, Noticed builds trust and loyalty.
- Clients have remarked on Noticed staff going the extra mile to help , something rarely attributed to Yell’s team. This means Noticed can retain customers through goodwill, whereas Yell often loses them after one contract cycle due to frustration.
- The underdog’s agility in customer service is a huge competitive edge – small businesses often prefer a human touch over a call-center-like experience.
- Modern SEO & Marketing Practices (vs. Yell’s Outdated Tactics): Noticed, being newer, isn’t burdened by legacy systems. It leverages current SEO best practices (keyword optimisation, quality content, mobile-friendly design) naturally. Meanwhile, Yell’s approach has been critiqued as outdated or cookie-cutter – e.g., templated websites you don’t own , broad PPC campaigns that waste money , and a slow pivot from print to digital. Noticed also taps into the modern consumer behaviour of expecting quick, curated results (through its matching service). Yell, though it has added similar features, is essentially a digitized Yellow Pages at its core.
- The underdog can innovate faster and adopt new trends in local search (for instance, optimizing for voice search or Google’s continuously changing local algorithms) more readily than Yell can adjust its massive platform. This allows Noticed-listed businesses to potentially get better outcomes in emerging areas of local SEO.
- Value for Money and ROI (vs. Yell’s ROI Complaints): Perhaps the most important area: Noticed can point to its high customer satisfaction and success stories – multiple small businesses seeing tangible leads and new clients after joining – achieved with minimal investment. Yell, by contrast, has a cloud of skepticism around its ROI; paying large sums and getting little back is a common refrain (e.g., “haven’t had a single proper lead” despite hefty spend ).
- By keeping costs reasonable and delivering results, Noticed makes a very compelling value case. It frames Yell’s offering as bloated and inefficient. Essentially, Noticed can say: “We do what Yell claims to do, but for a fraction of the price and with actual results to show for it.” For budget-conscious SMEs (which is most of them), that’s a powerful message.
- Positive Word-of-Mouth and Fresh Reputation (vs. Yell’s Tarnished Image): As discussed, Noticed is building a reputation for excellence at a small scale. Happy clients will recommend it to peers.
- Being new, it also benefits from curiosity and goodwill – people like rooting for a capable underdog, especially one that is seen as correcting the misdeeds of a big player. Yell’s name, in contrast, often comes with a warning. In an era where online reviews and social media chatter influence decisions, Noticed’s glowing reviews are a marketing asset, whereas Yell has to constantly counteract the negative stories about it. Noticed can capitalize on this by showcasing testimonials and case studies of clients who “switched from Yell” and thrived.
- Focus and Specialization (vs. Yell’s One-Stop-Shop): Yell sells everything from listings to websites to Google Ads to social media management. This breadth can dilute quality – Yell might not be the best at each individual service. Noticed focuses on what it does best: being a great local directory and lead generator. This specialization means all of Noticed’s resources and attention go into improving that core product. The result is likely a better experience in that domain.
- The underdog doesn’t try to be all things to all people, which in turn can make it better at the thing it chooses to do (the “jack of all trades vs master of one” argument). Businesses who just want a solid listing and leads (and perhaps already have a website or marketing handled elsewhere) will appreciate Noticed’s focus and competence, versus feeling upsold on something they don’t need with Yell.
Noticed UK vs Yell Conclusion
In the battle of Noticed.uk vs Yell for UK local business listings, we see a classic matchup of an innovative underdog against an established giant.
Yell brings to the table its legacy – a well-known name, a massive directory with millions of visitors, and a comprehensive suite of digital marketing services born from decades in the industry.
Noticed UK, on the other hand, brings fresh energy – a modern, user-friendly platform laser-focused on connecting quality local businesses with ready customers, all wrapped in transparency and personal touch.
For businesses deciding between the two, the choice may boil down to priorities: If you want broad exposure and don’t mind paying a premium (and navigating a corporate system), Yell is the traditional route – it can still put you in front of many eyeballs, though you should weigh the costs and read the fine print.
But if you value personalised service, clear value for money, and a partnership-like experience, Noticed.uk stands out as a compelling alternative. It addresses many of the pain points people have had with Yell – from pricing and contracts to support and results – and turns them into its strengths.
From core features (listings, SEO, reviews) to pricing, from local SEO performance to user experience, and from customer support to overall reputation, we’ve seen that Noticed is not only holding its own against Yell, but in several areas outperforming expectations.
It leverages modern best practices and a customer-centric philosophy to punch above its weight. As an underdog, Noticed can’t (yet) match Yell’s sheer size or fame, but it competes by being better where it truly counts for customers.
References and Sources:
- Yell’s Trustpilot profile and reviews (customer feedback on services, contracts, support)
- Noticed.uk’s Trustpilot profile and reviews (customer feedback on support, results)
- Official content from Yell (About Yell’s services and features)
- Official content from Noticed.uk (Features of free vs premium listings, SEO benefits)
- JDR Group blog on Yell (analysis of Yell’s marketing services and issues)
- BowlerHat case study on Yell vs independent marketing (Yell contract issues, ROI)
- Trustpilot ratings summary for Yell and Noticed (reputation metrics)
- The Framers Forum discussion on Yell pricing (example of Yell sales pitch £190/month).