Increasingly, anyone looking for a product or service is abandoning printed Yellow Pages directories and doing their search online. With all these searchers representing potential customers, you need a well-designed strategy to reach them. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Create basic online Yellow Pages listings in the major directories, which are often free.
2. Upgrade or enhance your listings based on your type of business and local competition. Current fee models are either pay-per-click or monthly payments. Only pay for enhancements that matter to your business, like automatic mapping and driving directions, email links and premium placements.
3. Add features such as audio ads or pop-up mini sites/microsites that deliver additional information about your business if you want to distinguish yourself from local competitors or have a business that attracts tourists or out-of-town traffic.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with the top directories

The best Yellow Pages directories have many businesses listed and get the most consumer traffic, so focus on the top directories first.

I recommend: Check out yellowpages.com, SuperPages.com, Yahoo! Local Yellow Pages, YP.Com and DexKnows Yellow Pages.

Consider Up-and-Coming Directories

There are many Yellow Page directories that are increasing their customer and user bases.

I recommend: Check out TheUSYellowPages.com, Yellow Book, MagicYellow.com, Quickseek.com, Yellow.com and the small-but-free Yellowikis.

Look for network deals

Some online directories can also direct traffic your way through affiliated content sites.

I recommend: MSN Yellow Pages are powered by Verizon's SuperPages.com, making SuperPages.com a more compelling deal for small businesses. Similarly, YellowPages.com provides the base Yellow Pages content for AnyWho.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Advertising in online Yellow Pages generally do not automatically put you into your local print-based Yellow Pages directories.