Start broad, narrow by location, then use the directory tools to find the most relevant local options.
Town Connect gives you several ways to search, so you do not need to know the name of a business before you begin. You can search by what you need, where you need it, or explore categories and nearby options until you find a useful match.
1. Search by what you need
Enter a business type, service or business name into the main search field.
- plumber
- coffee shop
- accountant
- roofing
- web design
- Italian restaurant
If you already know the company name, search for that directly. If you do not, use the service or category you need.
2. Add a town or city
Use the location field to focus the search on the area that matters to you. Combining a service with a place usually gives a more useful local search than either term on its own.
- Electrician + Pontypridd
- Restaurant + Treorchy
- Solicitor + Cardiff
- Hotel + Bristol
If you are willing to travel, try nearby towns as well. A business just outside your first search area may still be a better fit.
3. Use Near Me when location matters most
Where available, Near Me uses your current location to help focus the search around businesses close to you.
This can be useful when you are visiting an unfamiliar town, looking for somewhere nearby, trying to find a service without knowing the area, or comparing businesses by convenience as well as relevance.
Your browser or device may ask for permission before location-based search can work.
4. Browse categories when you are still deciding
If you know the general type of business you need but not the exact search term, browse Town Connect by category. Main categories group related businesses together, while subcategories help you move to a more specific service.
Home Services → Electricians
Professional Services → Accountants
Restaurants & Food → Restaurants → Italian
5. Use the map to understand location
Where map views are available, use them alongside listing results to understand where businesses are located.
- see which businesses are closest to the area you are interested in
- compare several businesses within the same town or neighbourhood
- identify clusters of businesses in town centres and commercial areas
- decide whether a business is conveniently located before opening its full profile.
How map clusters work
When several businesses are close together, Town Connect may group their map markers into a cluster. Zoom further into the map to separate the cluster and explore the individual businesses within that area.
6. Explore nearby businesses
When nearby options are available, use them to compare alternatives without starting a completely new search. This can help if your first choice is unavailable, you want to compare several providers, or you are already travelling to a particular area.
7. Sort the directory
Town Connect directory pages can be sorted in different ways including:
- Most popular first - useful for seeing listings receiving more attention on Town Connect
- Newest first - useful for discovering recently added businesses
- Business name A-Z or Z-A - useful when you know roughly which business you are looking for.
8. Browse the directory A-Z
If you know the first letter of a business name, or prefer alphabetical browsing, use the A-Z directory. This can also help when you are unsure which category a business has been placed in.
9. Open the listing before deciding
Search results are the starting point. Open the business profile to check the information available for that listing.
- business description
- address or service location
- services or specialisms
- opening information
- website and contact details
- images
- verification or enhanced-listing information.
10. Refine rather than repeat
If the first search does not give you what you need, change one part at a time: use a more specific service term, remove unnecessary words, try a nearby town, browse the closest category, or use the map to widen or narrow the area visually.
Search tip: use the service, not just the industry
Specific searches can produce more useful results. Instead of searching only for Home Services, try plumber, roofing or kitchen installation. Instead of Professional Services, try accountant, mortgage adviser or solicitor.
Can't find the business or service?
Town Connect is growing continuously, so some businesses and categories may not be represented yet. If you know a local business, service or place that should be included, you can suggest it to Town Connect.