29 January 2020
Our community resource website is an online listing, or catalog, of local businesses across the Twin Cities metro area. It’s a business directory for Minnesota businesses with the goal of encouraging people to shop in and support the businesses within their local communities.
Historically, directories typically listed entries on people or businesses and their contact information; such directories are still in use today. Examples include Yellow Pages, Yelp and Yahoo. The information listed can be basic, such as a Name, Address and Phone Number (NAP), or more robust, including a logo, website link, and detailed business description.
Directories are often organized into categories and subcategories.
There are two ways to find information on the Web: by searching or browsing. Web directories provide links in a structured list to make browsing easier. Many web directories combine searching and browsing by providing a search engine to search the directory. Unlike search engines, which base results on a database of entries gathered automatically by web crawler, most web directories are built manually by human editors. Many web directories allow site owners to submit their site for inclusion, and have editors review submissions for fitness.
Web directories may be general in scope, like Yelp or Yellow Pages, or limited to particular business niches. Niche directories include:
- Avvo (legal directory)
- Houzz (home services contractors)
Businesses may be listed for free, or by paid submission. Paid listings typically allow more information to be featured or offer prominent placement of the listing on the page.