A business directory is a list of information on a website, which generally lists companies based on industry categories. It is actually a “business database”. The Yellow Pages On-line, which is often mentioned in the field of foreign trade, is a kind of business directory.
The detailed information provided in the business directories on different platforms may be different. They may include information such as the company name, address, telephone number, location, contact information, number of employees, service area, type of service or products provided. Some business directories also include user comments and feedback functions.
Business directories can be divided into comprehensive business directories and professional business directories. Comprehensive business directories contain company information from all walks of life, such as the US Yellow Pages, European Yellow Pages, etc. Professional business directories generally only contain company information in a certain industry. For example, Thomas, a well-known business directory in the industrial field, is an industrial product information platform for North America, providing more than 500,000 North American manufacturers, distributors and service companies with 680 million types of product and service information, while also providing news, industry trends, forums and blogs.