Business directories are specialised, informative and easy-to-use listings of businesses provided in a single compilation. With access to a business directory, consumers and other businesses can easily find out about a particular company offering the services or products they are looking for. Online business directories are even more convenient for the average user.

A few business directories categorise their listings in alphabetical order; so, if you are searching for an electrical equipment manufacturer, the companies belonging to that category will all be listed under the letter ‘E’. But, most business directories list companies under their specific service type, so their classifications fall under terms such as electronics, business services, shopping, cars and automotive, financial & legal services, home appliances, transport etc.

Even business directories have taken to the new trend now, with the majority of directories presenting their listings online for free or for a nominal charge. The online business directories charging a fee for their listings generally offer the same services as a free directory, but the difference is usually dependent on who publishes the directory.

The paid business directories ask for subscriptions from those businesses they have listed, while the free directories depend on sponsor ads for their revenue. These free online business directories request for link exchanging between the directory and the listed companies. This allows both parties to build web traffic by directing each other’s web visitors to the linked site. So, the directory links to the business websites and they in turn link to the directory, sharing visitors for mutual benefit.

There are a few business directories offering more than simple listing services, including features such as job advertising, picture galleries and a dedicated web page for the listed business. These are optional services and any business owner who wishes to use the directory for multiple purposes can take advantage of the offers. The majority of business directories charge for these services, but some directories provide all such services for free.

Submitting a business listing to an online business directory doesn’t take much time. Your business information is compulsory to enter a listing, including the company name, registration, email, telephone, address etc.

Each business listing is brief, with just the basic information displayed upfront. If you need more information about a particular business, you have to follow the link they have provided, to visit either their web page within the business directory or their main website. Once a listing is submitted to a business directory, any user can easily find your business by navigating the site through the main page index.

The majority of business directories, both online and offline, concentrate on providing business information for those companies within a specific region. As a practice, the regions are based on city, neighbourhood, province, district, state etc. Business directories for the entire country or global versions are quite rare, particularly online.