When a person is looking for a way to advertise their business, they have many options. They can call people, fax them or e-mail them. They can submit classified ads to newspapers or websites. They can talk to friends and neighbors. If they have a website, they can submit it to search engines. Or they can list their business in a directory. Of the online options, the two most common and useful advertising methods are the search engine and the web business directory.

Although many people think of these two as the same thing, there are in fact several significant differences between them. The first and most important distinction is the way in which things are listed. A search engine lists sites by keyword, whereas a web business directory classifies them by categories and sub-categories. Because of this, a person looking for a specific service or type of business is more likely to find it in a web directory. Additionally, a search engine uses robots to find and index websites, while directories are generally human edited. This means that an actual person must look at each site, verify it, and classify it. This results in a higher likelihood of your business being in the proper place, where it can be easily found by potential customers.

Another difference between a search engine and a web business directory is the way in which you pay for their service. Although both often have options for free submission, quickly getting a top spot in either requires money. Companies that help you get a top listing in a search engine usually use pay-per-click advertising. That means that they charge you every time a person clicks on your link, whether they buy something or not. Even though you can often choose the amount you pay, getting a top listing requires paying more per click. Web directories, on the other hand, generally require a flat fee per month, year, or one-time. No matter how many people find your site through them, the cost is the same. This can be a much more cost effective method for many people.

In order to get listed in a search engine, your business must have a website. But you can list your company name and number in many business directories even without one. In addition, if you have a local business, you can list it in a regional directory to target customers living in a specific area.

If you’re interesting in promoting your business online take a look at one of the largest Australian business directories, eMow.

[tags]internet directory,business directory,directories,online directories, business advertising[/tags]