The Data

The search began over three years ago for an online directory platform where local searches could be made quickly and easily replacing the need for the printed yellow pages. We also wanted to have local control of the data enabling us to make changes and additions within hours. We finally found one that met our requirements and then some.

We received data for our area from a number of national sources. What surprised us that the data in our local yellow pages came from some of these same sources, so if it was wrong in our database, it was usually wrong in the yellow pages. Since the phone books generally only update their data once a year, it becomes out of date quickly, thus, exacerbating  the problem.  In addition, the popular trend of using tracking numbers (a special phone number used to track source of a phone call) in the yellow pages, has caused confusion as to what the “real number” is. It’s very important that our listings are accurate, because incorrect listings now reverberate throughout the internet.