MerchantCircle at a glance
- Listing price
- Free, paid upgradesFree business listing; paid advertising/upgrades
- Domain rating
- DR 77
- Captcha
- Google reCAPTCHA
- Backlink or badge
- Not required
- Email confirmation
- Yes, by link or code
- Submit at
- merchantcircle.com/signup
What MerchantCircle is and who it's for
MerchantCircle is a directory of local businesses across the US, focused on categories like Autos, Home & Garden, Legal & Financial, Education, Professional Services, and Real Estate. Visitors search for local merchants, read reviews, and request quotes. The site claims 10 million consumer visitors per month and offers free business listings plus paid advertising upgrades.
Consumers looking for local service providers, deals, and advice.
It lists
- Local businesses with a physical US address
- Service providers (autos, home & garden, legal, financial, e
- Businesses with a phone number
- Businesses that can be claimed or added by owner/representat
It doesn't take
- Online-only businesses without a physical address
- SaaS or digital products without a local presence
How to submit to MerchantCircle, step by step
Create a free account, claim or add your business, and complete the basic listing. The free Basic Listing includes essential business information and customer reviews.
Create an account
Go to merchantcircle.com/signup, choose 'I'm a merchant', and fill in first name, last name, email, password, and zip code. Agree to terms and consent to communications.
Claim or add your business
Enter your business name and phone number. If MerchantCircle finds a matching business, you can claim it; otherwise, add your business with street address, phone, description, and website.
Verify your email
Check your inbox for a verification email and click the link to confirm your account. You can resend the email if needed.
Choose a plan
Select Basic Listing (free) or Premium Listing ($480/year, discounted to $360/year). Premium includes no ads, featured placement, up to 5 locations, verified badge, and priority calls.
Optional Hero Ads
Add Hero Ads starting at $19.95/month to appear above all other businesses in chosen cities and categories. You can skip this step.
Complete your listing
After verification, access your listing dashboard to update information, respond to reviews, and manage your presence.
What the MerchantCircle form asks for
| Field | Limits and format |
|---|---|
| First Name | Required |
| Last Name | Required |
| Email Address | Required |
| Password | Required |
| Confirm password | Required |
| Zip Code | Required |
| Business Name | Required |
| Business Phone Number | Required |
| Street Address | Required |
| Phone Number | Required |
| Business Description | — |
| Business Website | — |
Our free preview drafts your name, tagline, short and long descriptions, categories and tags in the lengths directories like this one ask for. Try it with your URL.
MerchantCircle pricing: free vs paid
| Option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Listing | Free | Business listing with essential information, customer reviews and ratings |
| Premium Listing (Annual) | $480/year | No ads, featured at top of relevant search pages, up to 5 locations, preferred ranking, verified badge, custom coupons, priority access to customer calls |
| Premium Listing (Annual - discounted) | $360/year | Same as Premium Listing at discounted annual rate |
| Hero Ads | $19.95/month | Business appears above all others in chosen cities and categories |
Why MerchantCircle submissions get rejected or stall
- Business lacks a physical US street address
- Business is online-only with no local presence
- Duplicate listing already exists and is not properly claimed
- Incomplete or inaccurate business information
- Failure to verify email address
Tips for a listing that gets approved
- Claim an existing listing if MerchantCircle already has your business; it preserves reviews and rankings.
- Use the free Basic Listing first; upgrade to Premium only if you need featured placement or multiple locations.
- Complete all fields including business description and website to improve search visibility.
- Respond to reviews promptly; active engagement can improve your listing's performance.
Our take on MerchantCircle
MerchantCircle is best for local service businesses with a physical US address that want a free listing and potential local leads. SaaS or online-only businesses will not fit. Expect a quick signup with email verification, and consider paid upgrades only if you need more visibility.
MerchantCircle FAQ
How much does it cost to list on MerchantCircle?
A basic listing is free. Premium Listing costs $480/year (or $360/year discounted). Hero Ads start at $19.95/month.
How long does it take to get listed?
After creating an account and verifying your email, your listing can be created immediately. There is no stated review time.
Do I need a physical address to list on MerchantCircle?
Yes, the signup form requires a street address and phone number for your business.
Can I list an online-only business?
MerchantCircle is designed for local businesses with a physical presence. Online-only businesses are not a good fit.
Does MerchantCircle offer a free trial of Premium?
No, Premium is a paid annual plan. The free Basic Listing is always available.
Checked against MerchantCircle's own pages on Oct 24, 2026: merchantcircle.com, merchantcircle.com/signup, merchantcircle.com/articles/Landscaping-Gravel-Types-Pros-and-Cons/1092123. Directories change their forms and prices; the submit page has the final word.
