Stroud Business Directory
How we verify local businesses.
The SBIN directory is small on purpose. Every business in it has been checked, so when you see Verified by SBIN, you know a real person from a real local business stands behind the listing.
How a listing becomes verified
- 1
Someone from the business creates the listing
Listings are added by a signed-in SBIN member, not scraped from the internet. We do not publish businesses on their behalf.
- 2
We check they can speak for the business
We compare the email address on the member's account with the business website (for example, name@yourbusiness.co.uk for yourbusiness.co.uk). A match is strong evidence they speak for the business, and we show that to our reviewer.
- 3
Every new listing is reviewed by a person
Listings start as a private draft. Before one can be submitted it must have a real description, a working website, a valid location and a way to get in touch. A member of the SBIN team then looks at every new listing and publishes it only if the business is real, operating, and based in or serving the Stroud area.
- 4
The owner stays in charge
Only the owner can edit a verified listing. Each listing shows when it was last confirmed by its owner.
Why verified listings link to the business
Because we only publish businesses we have checked, a verified listing links to the business’s website with a normal link that search engines follow. It is our way of saying we vouch for them, and it helps local customers (and search engines) find them.
- Listing is free, and always will be.
- You cannot pay for a better link or a higher place.
- We never ask for a link back. Your listing’s link does not depend on anything you do on your own site.
What verified does not mean
Verified means the business is real and the listing is genuine. It is not a review, a recommendation or a guarantee of quality. We cannot vouch for the work a business does, so use your own judgement as you would anywhere.
A badge for your own website (optional)
Verified businesses can add a small “Verified by SBIN” badge to their own website or email footer. It shows customers that you are a checked local business and links to your listing. It is entirely optional, and you will find it in your dashboard once your listing is live.
Spotted a problem?
If a listing looks wrong, or a business has closed or changed hands, tell us and we will look into it.