A business directory is basically a site or online list of facts that lists companies in different niche categories according to size, location, activity or sector. It includes company profiles and market shares. Companies can be categorized either by location, sector, activity, or industry. Business can also be compiled either manually or via an automatic online search tool. The purpose of a business directory however is to provide accurate, clear and concise business information to its users.
A free business listing includes a company profile that is created by a Web developer. Each company profile includes company description, links to its main web page, the category of products, a category of services, company headquarters and additional information such as testimonials, past and present connections to the company, estimated annual earnings and visits per month by its registered visitors. This information is then sent to the selected target audience by means of email, SMS or direct mail.
Yellow Pages and White Pages are now replaced by Business Directories as they do not feature any comprehensive or detailed information. They are mainly used for local telemarketing and advertising, they are the only source of known local businesses. In fact, Business Directory provides a complete list of small businesses, independent shops, restaurants, stores, trade shows, marketing firms, charities and other similar businesses which are easily found with a click of the mouse.
As more people search for businesses on the internet, Yellow Pages and White Pages have been gradually decreasing in numbers. Most of the small business owners still prefer using Business Directory because it gives a more comprehensive and clearer picture of the type of business and the service or product that they are offering to its customers. A good directory will usually contain a wide range of businesses that are classified by location, industry, category and service, and sometimes also by product. Some directories even feature an option to list multiple suppliers by one business name, so that you will be able to receive better business responses when your business name is included in the listing.
Nowadays, a lot of people use different directories in order to find local businesses and services. Since people are using different social networking sites in order to find friends and family, most of them are also using Business Directory in order to find local businesses and service providers. The popularity of Business Directory and other popular search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and MSN!
There are several different types of business directories available today, but one of the most popular ones is Yellow Pages Directories. If you want to use a directory that can bring you maximum business benefits, it is advisable to choose a directory that has wide coverage over various niche industries. For instance, if you are interested in selling widgets, you would want to use a directory that contains businesses from that specific niche industry. This way, when someone searches for business information related to “wins” or “gifts,” you are more likely to find businesses that are offering these services in your area.