Montreal-based Yellow Pages Group has launched a national online search tool called WebNumber that has enabled the instant creation of over a million Web sites for each business listed in the Yellow Pages directory. The WebNumber service works like this: Type the business number in the address line of any Internet browser and add ‘.yp.ca’ at the end. No area codes necessary. WebNumber will directly connect to a business’s Web page as created by Yellow Pages. The basic listing consists of the business’s address, telephone number, a map to locate the business and a ‘proximity search’ function allowing users to find what’s close by.
For business owners, the more print/Web products purchased through Yellow Pages, the more comprehensive their site listing. For example, the directory’s listing for Vancouver’s Granville Hotel – type in 6837373.yp.ca – shows a ‘check rates’ hyperlink, an e-business card, display ad, hotlink to the hotel’s Web site and a business profile in addition to basic listing info. What’s more, national advertisers on Yellow Pages get a ‘click to call’ feature on their site allowing the user (by entering their own phone number and area code) to connect to the business’ nearest office. This function will ring your phone, instantly connecting you to your local Mr. Rooter or whatever else you may be looking for. ‘The objective here is to add value,’ says Jean-Pascal Lion, VP, electronic directories. ‘Many [small/medium enterprises] don’t have a Web presence. So [WebNumber] allows our advertisers to increase their Web presence. It’s difficult for merchants to buy a domain, create a Web site and maintain it so in a way we’re doing this for them. And for users, it’s a more complete experience.’
