Full Potential of Online Directories

In a world with so many choices, sometimes it feels like we really have many choices as to where we eat or shop anymore. If a restaurant has a great advertisement we will probably eat at it regardless that its food quality has nothing to do with its advertisement quality. According to Red Crow Marketing, an average person is exposed to about 4,000 to 10,000 advertisements a day. That’s TEN THOUSAND. Of course, this varies between city dwellers and non-city dwellers, internet users and non-internet users, and television viewers and non-television users. All of these advertisements compete for your attention, time and of course, money. That is where online directories come into play. While online directories typically have ads, they also help people make their own decisions by allowing businesses to have their own page with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

With an online directory, you can specify a business type that you want to search for. No need to rely on random signage, billboards, commercials, or magazine ads that don’t apply to you! Instead, you choose what you want to see. Electronic stores, piano galleries, bookstores, restaurants, and many, many more! For example, let’s say you are feeling like having a sub sandwich. So you type in sandwiches in La Jolla, California. Sandwich shops from that area, like The Cheese Shop, will immediately pop up for your viewing pleasure which will lead to your sandwich consumption satisfaction, or at times dissatisfaction. That leads us right into the next reason why online directories help you make decisions.

Online directories are convenient. In addition to their specificity and review capabilities, online directories make it easier for you to access their databases. All you need is the internet and you can be on your computer searching for whatever you want. However, if you don’t have wifi, or are on the go, many directories have applications that allow you to use cell phone to access the whatever business you are searching for. Many online directories have apps available for both IOS and Andorid users. This is especially useful for the travellers and backseat drivers (or the designated navigator). If you happen to be the designated navigator, then your life is a whole lot easier now

Not only can you be specific with online directories, but you can find reviews on the places you search for! Customers who have had experiences with whatever you are looking for write up reviews for others to read. It’s not hard to see how reviews will benefit you as you are making a decision. Knowing if a product is often satisfactory to others will build your confidence when making a choice. On the other hand, products and services that are poor, bland, slow, or even too expensive will deter you from even thinking about going there. Reviews are a powerful tool. Some Yellow Pages apps even pull reviews from Google, and other sources, including their own users so you have a better idea of what the store or restaurant is like before you get there. They are almost like advertisements, except reviews can promote or act as a deterrent for businesses. This is a win-win for you.

Online directories and their accompanying apps will likely have built in navigation. Thats right, you wanted a sub-sandwich, you searched, you read the reviews, you downloaded the app and you know what you want. Go get it. In addition to searching by location, the navigation system will also help you find the businesses that are closest to your current location. The navigation tools built into these directories will help you reach your destination that much sooner by avoiding wrong turns or second guessing, all the while reducing road rage and stress.

While advertisements have their place, so do online directories. Whether you’re in a city you’ve never been to before or are just looking for a new flavor locally, an online directory can help you quickly. Not only can it help you fast, it will help you make better decisions while conveniently directing you exactly where you want to go. So next time you see a billboard telling you how good a particular business is, pull out your handy-dandy online directory. Save time and money by reading what the reviews say, finding alternatives if necessary, and let the directory take you directly to the business's front door.