WO2001046776A2

WO2001046776A2 - Method for local business advertising on the internet

Info

Publication number: WO2001046776A2
Application number: PCT/US2000/041404
Authority: WO
Inventors: Willard L. Hathcock
Original assignee: Dash Directory, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-10-22
Filing date: 2000-10-20
Publication date: 2001-06-28
Also published as: WO2001046776A3; WO2001046776A9; AU4900901A

Abstract

A method for building systems of online directories to provide information about local businesses and organizations to Internet users. The invention includes structuring (100) multiple directory websites (120) organized by geographic area and business category that are accessible by search engines, as well as mega-directories and associated websites for each geographic area that may be accessed (135) by search engines and by using a URL address. The directory websites are designed to promote easy online comparison shopping and delivery of substantial amounts of information about individual businesses and organizations included in the directories (150).

Description

METHOD FOR LOCAL BUSINESS ADVERTISING ON THE INTERNET

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to methods by which local businesses and other organizations provide information to consumers and other users on the Internet.

The invention relates more specifically to methods and systems for online directories that enable Internet users to find and obtain information about local businesses via search engine and other Internet technologies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As it is currently structured, the Internet presents many challenges to local businesses desiring to market goods and/or services to customers within a specific geographic region, such as a city or state. Similarly, a customer wishing to find local businesses offering a desired good or service in the community where the customer lives, or is visiting, often has great difficulty finding such businesses, and efficiently conducting comparison-shopping, through the Internet.

Most customers using the Internet to find a good or service offered by a local business employ one or more of several major search engines. While there are significant variations in the methods by which search engines operate, most search engines serve users by key word searches of websites or web pages that have been indexed at a previous time by the search engines. Indexing is a process by which search engines analyze and include websites or web pages in a catalog that the search engine will search in response to key word searches. In response to a key word request by an Internet user, the search engine ordinarily ranks indexed websites and web pages according to the nature and frequency of relevant use of the key words in such websites or web pages, as judged by specifications established by the search engine.

For many users, the application of search engines to compile a list of local businesses offering a specific product is frustrating and inefficient. Typically, the search engine produces a list of sites or pages considered relevant by the search engine, which ordinarily includes a few sites considered relevant by the user interspersed with many irrelevant sites. The user must then cull through this list, traveling back and forth between the search engine and individual websites. The local business owner is often equally frustrated; he will have incurred significant expense to develop and register a website on the chance that it will be indexed and ranked highly as between other relevant and irrelevant sites by search engines in response to predicted key word searches by Internet users. Many local businesses seeking to advertise their products and services on the

Internet agree to be listed in an online directory. Most online directories are large databases, formatted in a way that prevents them from being indexed and searched by search engine technology. With these directories, the user is ordinarily able to find local businesses listed in the directory only when the customer is aware of the online directory, and knows or can find its address, and then goes to it and conducts a search within the directory, using the directory's search software. When a user employs an online directory, it is often possible to obtain a list of a number of businesses located in a particular geographic area offering the good or service of interest, but this usually involves working through multiple steps and screens, and the listings offered are usually brief, providing minimal information. Once the user finds the section of the directory with the businesses having the preferred good or service in the correct geographic location, to obtain the information desired about products and services offered by such businesses, the user then has to place a phone call, or go through another series of steps, leaving the directory, to arrive at each of the businesses' independent websites. Moreover, the search of an online directory has to be done separately from a search done with search engine technology. For many users, a search conducted with the directory's own search program is seen as an inefficient and time-consuming exercise.

In some areas, groups such as trade associations and chambers of commerce attempt to develop local or regional directories listing local businesses that offer specific products. While often searchable by search engines, such directories have a narrow scope. Each directory is usually structured as a single, stand-alone website containing one or more directories organized by business type, whose subscribers are typically member businesses. When more than one directory or business type is included, this is usually all in the same website. Such websites are typically not organized as a system of multiple websites, with each website devoted to a single business type or category. Also, such websites ordinarily provide limited information in each directory about each business listed (like the large online database directories), and only provide more detailed information online if the business has established an independent website located apart from the directory website. The directory user is provided website addresses for listed businesses with websites, and has to travel back and forth between the directory website and various business websites to make a comparison as between the various businesses offering a specific product in the desired community. On many occasions, it is possible to travel by click on link from the directory website to an individual business website, but travel back to the directory website is not possible unless the designer of the business website has included a link back to the directory. This usually has not been provided, ordinarily because the business agrees to participate in the directory website some time after its independent website was established, and there is no coordination between the development of the directory website and the business website.

In some instances, local businesses have agreed to be registered with a large national private server network. An Internet user employing a search engine to locate local businesses providing a specific product or service in a given geographic area may find individual listings for such local businesses via the private server network. These listings, however, are not directory listings; rather, they are only listings of individual businesses, which may or may not rank highly in the search engine results. A user seeking to access the web pages established for these businesses must travel along a link from the search engine listing to the web page containing information about the local business on the private server network. To access other local businesses providing the same product in the same geographic area, the user must return to the search engine results, find a listing for another local business, and then travel along a link to another web page on the national private server network. Comparison shopping using this method is usually a frustrating back and forth process. In some instances, directories of local businesses are contained within

"searchable" directory websites that require the user to submit detailed information on a request "form" before the directory software will select relevant local businesses. The customer is never permitted to browse the directory database of information and compare and personally select from the array of local businesses in the database. In other instances, portal web pages have been established that lead to a directory of local businesses in a specific business classification, as part of a larger national website offering various other products, and advertising businesses in other geographic areas. The portal web pages are designed to attract the user to the national website, and are not established as an independent local website, or devoted to a single business type or category or geographic area. These sites generally have the disadvantages of the trade association sites, including minimal entries, the need to obtain detailed information from other independent websites, and difficult comparison shopping because of the lack of reversible click on links. Also, the local directories provided tend to be part of a national website which is not specifically limited to a single product or business classification and the geographic area where the local businesses are located, and lack a domain name address descriptive of the desired geographic region and business product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for conveying information about local and regional businesses and organizations to individuals using search engine technology. A further object is to provide a method for establishing a system of local directory websites that provide detailed and easily compared information about businesses producing like products, services and activities in specific geographic areas.

The invention generally involves a method for creating multiple online directories for local businesses each organized according to a specific business category, and according also to a specific geographic area with which all such businesses are associated. Each particular directory is contained within a particular website, formatted to meet the specifications for indexing by preferred search engines. In a preferred implementation, when a user accesses each particular website, the user will first encounter a home page presenting the directory, which comprises a listing for each of the subscribers to the directory. The directory home page will include links from the subscriber listings of the directory to additional subscriber web pages each containing detailed information on individual subscribers. The links may be "click on" links as are well-known in the art, and are preferably reversible links, enabling the user to travel forward from the subscriber listing to the web page providing detailed information concerning the subscriber, and back from the subscriber web page to the subscriber listing and the directory home page. In a preferred implementation, such subscriber web pages are in fact web pages of the directory's website, and are not located in websites external to the directory website. Although the subscriber web pages are contained within the directory website, they may have the look and content of independent business websites. In one implementation of the invention, the number of subscribers and web pages in each particular directory will be limited so that the website displaying the directory will be indexed by search engine technology that declines to index websites in excess of a specified number of web pages. The address of each particular website preferably includes a registered domain name that will cause preferred search engines to rank the website highly in relation to a search engine user's key word search. Moreover, in one preferred implementation which is expected to provide high search engine rankings, the domain name will be developed to comprise a first portion that references the geographic area associated with the subscribers of the directory, and a second portion referencing the specific business category associated with all subscribers.

In one aspect of the invention, the method is a business method for facilitating access to local businesses by developing online directories organized by geographic area and specific business category that are readily accessed and utilized by Internet users employing a search engine. The method comprises selecting specific geographic areas for the development of local businesses directories. These geographic areas preferably have a sufficient level and content of business and consumer activity to warrant development of online directories. The method comprises also the step, for each of the geographic areas selected, of first identifying multiple business categories for inclusion in local directories, wherein each local directory is comprised of one local business category. The method involves also the step, for each identified business category in each of the geographic areas selected, of second identifying a number of businesses which are within a specific business category and also within a respective one of the geographic areas selected. The method comprises a further step of contacting identified businesses to determine interest in participating in a local online directory and thereby establishing multiple subscriber business sets for each subscriber business category identified in each specific geographic area. For each multiple subscriber business set, the method comprises establishing at least one business set website, and developing a web page for at least one of the subscriber businesses of the business set website, and associating the web page with a corresponding one of the business set websites. The method further comprises the step of configuring the business set website so that it may be accessed by an Internet user using a search engine to locate local businesses falling into the subscriber business category and geographic area associated with the business set website.

In another implementation of this aspect of the invention, the method comprises developing a particular directory home page for each business set website, wherein the directory home page displays a listing for each subscriber of the business set website. The method preferably includes also registering a domain name for each business set website wherein the domain name is comprised of a first portion referencing the geographic area associated with the subscribers of the website and a second portion referencing the business category associated with the business set web site. In a further implementation, this aspect includes developing a particular web page for each subscriber business of each business set website, and may preferably also include the step of developing a reversible intra-website link between each particular subscriber listing displayed on the directory home page of the website, and the corresponding particular web page developed for the particular subscriber identified in the listing. In another aspect of the invention, the method involves compiling a plurality of individual business directories. Each directory of the plurality is comprised of at least one subscriber, and all subscribers of each directory share two characteristics: all fall into one business category, and all are associated with a specific geographic area. This aspect involves, as a further step, first establishing a plurality of websites, each of which is associated with a particular directory organized by geographic area and business category . Each particular website displays to Internet visitors to the website the directory of these subscribers. This aspect involves also the step of first configuring each website in the plurality so that each satisfies the specifications for indexing established by preferred search engines. It further involves, for each particular website in the plurality, second establishing a set of terms, comprised of one or more words or word fragments, that potential search engine users seeking the particular business category found in each particular website are predicted to use in key word searches. This aspect comprises also second configuring each particular website using the set of terms so that each particular website will be highly ranked by preferred search engines in response to key word searches by users.

In another implementation of this aspect of the invention, the method comprises the further step of developing a domain name for each particular website, using the set of terms, in order to enhance the ranking of each particular website by preferred search engines in response to key word searches by Internet search engine users seeking local businesses in the business category and geographic area associated with the subscribers of each directory. In this implementation, the step of developing a domain name for each particular website may include writing a first portion of the domain name to reference the geographic area associated with the directory and writing a second portion to reference the business category associated with the directory. The step of developing a domain name may preferably include writing a domain name for each particular website, wherein a first portion comprises a reference to a local community in which all subscribers are located or operate, and a second portion comprises a reference to a specific business category in which all subscribers included in the directory of the website are included. The first portion may also comprise a reference to a specific area of commercial activity, such as a shopping district, market, mall or resort.

In another implementation of this aspect of the invention, the method may comprise configuring each particular website to limit the number of web pages to satisfy the known specifications for indexing established by preferred search engines. As may be appreciated, certain search engines refuse to index websites having web pages in excess of a specified number, which number may in some cases be twenty to thirty web pages. This implementation provides websites established according to the method of this implementation with the advantage of a higher rate of indexing by various search engines and access to search engine users not enjoyed by large database directories.

In a further implementation of this aspect, the method comprises, for each particular website, the additional steps of: building a directory home page, located within the particular website, that displays a listing for each subscriber included in the directory of the website; building at least one subscriber web page for at least one subscriber listed on the home page, located within the website, wherein the web page displays information ^' specific to the subscriber; and developing an intra- website link between each subscriber's listing on the home page and the corresponding subscriber web page, enabling a user to travel from the subscriber listing to the relevant web page to obtain more information about the subscriber. In this implementation, the intra- website link may preferably be a reversible link, enabling a visitor to travel back and forth between the subscriber listing and the corresponding subscriber web page without leaving the website, and preferably also a "click on" link as will be known by those familiar in the art. The implementation may also preferably comprise the step of developing a reversible intra-website link between one or more subscriber web pages, providing the user with the capacity to travel, not only between the subscriber listing and the subscriber web page, but also from one particular subscriber web page to another, and back, such as for purposes of comparison shopping.

In yet another implementation of this aspect of the invention, the step of first establishing a plurality of websites comprises also: building a first website in the plurality to display a first directory of subscribers, in which all subscribers are of a first geographic area and a first business category; and building a second website in the plurality to display a second directory of subscribers, in which all subscribers are of the first geographic area and a second business category. This implementation preferably comprises also the step of developing a system of directories for said first geographic area, wherein at least one directory and at least one associated website are developed for each of a plurality of business categories. The implementation may include also the steps of compiling a mega-directory for each geographic area, in other words, a directory of directories comprised of a particular listing for each directory of the plurality of directories established for the geographic area; third establishing a mega-website for each mega- directory; and third developing a reversible inter-website link between each particular listing displayed in the mega-website, and the directory home page of the corresponding directory and website, enabling an Internet user to travel between each such particular listing displayed in the mega-website, and the corresponding directory home page of a particular directory website, and back. Such a reversible link may preferably be a "click- on" link as may be appreciated by one skilled in the art. This implementation preferably includes developing a domain name for each such mega-website, wherein each domain name may be written according to a format that enhances customer identification and also access without the use of search engines. In this implementation, each mega-site domain name may comprise a first portion that references a geographic area associated with the particular website, and a second portion that is common to each other mega-website domain name, and wherein most preferably said second portion is comprised of the word "directory." This implementation may involve also the establishment of a directory "web ring" among particular websites located within a geographic area, such as by steps comprising creating reversible inter-website links between said first and said second websites, said second and a third website, and said third and first websites, enabling a user to travel from website to website, such as for purposes of seeking out related products and services found in separate directory websites. In a further implementation of the invention, a method is provided for accommodating a large capacity of subscribers. The method comprises establishing overflow, or back-up, directories and websites for communities where a single directory formatted to promote favorable search engine indexing and ranking does not have the capacity to list all subscribers of that community who desire to participate in a directory and website dedicated to a specific business category. In this implementation, the method involves establishing at least one overflow website whenever the capacity of a first website is exceeded, and wherein all subscribers of the first and overflow websites are associated with the same geographic area and business category. The method also involves the step of building a reversible inter- website link between the first and overflow websites. Accordingly, an Internet search engine user who gains access to one website may have easy access to the subscribers of the second and additional websites.

According to another implementation, the method comprises the additional step of constructing a reversible inter- website link between at least one subscriber web page and a business website independent of the website in which the subscriber web page is located, and preferably wherein said business website provides additional information about the subscriber.

In a further implementation, the step of compiling a plurality of directories comprises also collecting a subset of directories wherein, for each particular directory in the subset, each subscriber in the particular directory may be affiliated with each other subscriber, such as by common ownership, or may have an affiliation with a third party, such as through a license, franchise or distributorship agreement. In this implementation, the invention contemplates creating one or more directory websites in which each directory website lists all or a portion of the branch locations of a business with multiple stores, sites, or offices. The invention also contemplates that one or more directory websites may be created in which each directory website lists all or a portion of the local businesses offering one or more products or services through a license, franchise, or distributorship-type arrangement with another business. In this instance, each subscriber to the directory website has a similar arrangement with a single third party, to offer a specific product, service, or family of products and/or services. For example, a directory website might be established to list and provide information regarding all fast food restaurants belonging to a particular chain of restaurants located in a specific geographic area such as a city.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention involves also a method by which a potential Internet customer may access local directories established according to the method referenced above, employing a search engine, comprising the steps of: accessing a search program of a search engine; developing a search request referencing the desired business category and geographic area; submitting a search request to said search engine; reviewing the list of websites produced by said search engine; selecting a directory website that includes subscribers all associated with the same geographic area and specific business category; activating a link to said website to view the directory displayed by it; selecting at least one subscriber listed on said website; and activating a link between said subscriber's listing and a web page providing information concerning the subscriber. In a further embodiment, the method involves activating a second link between said web page to travel back to the directory home page; selecting a second subscriber and activating a second link between said second advertiser' s listing and a web page providing information concerning the second advertiser. The method of the present invention may be applied to local businesses seeking to advertise products and services to potential customers. The method may also be applied to individuals and entities other than commercial enterprises, who wish to convey information to Internet users, such as charitable and religious organizations, educational institutions, and political parties and campaigns. In addition, the method may be used by businesses or organizations that have many facilities or branches in a specific geographic area, or who operate by license, franchise, or distributorship arrangements, and who desire to provide a directory of all or a part of such facilities, branches or affiliated businesses.

The present invention offers substantial advantages over large database directories, in that it is readily accessible by search engine users, and in that information can be accessed without multiple steps required by online directory software. In addition, the method offers a combination of additional substantial advantages over trade association directories and other similar small directories, to include systematic coverage of multiple business classifications in a plurality of geographic regions, easy access through search engines without multiple search steps, and enhanced comparison- shopping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a flow chart depicting a business method for establishing a system of directory websites, accessible by search engine users.

Figure 2 is a flow chart depicting a method for establishing the web page structure of a directory website.

Figure 3 is a flow chart depicting a method for establishing a system of directory websites for a single geographic region. Figure 4 is a flowchart depicting a further implementation of the present invention, involving an overflow, or back-up, directory.

Figure 5 is a flow chart depicting a method by which a user finds and utilizes a directory website created according to the method of this invention.

Figure 6 is a diagram depicting a portion of a system of directories and websites for a single geographic area created according to the method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, the invention is set forth in the context of a method for advertising local businesses on the Internet. It will be appreciated, however, that various aspects of the invention are applicable in other contexts. As shown in Figure 1, one implementation of the present invention involves a business method for facilitating access to local businesses by Internet users employing search engines. This implementation involves an approach for organizing directories of local businesses and structuring them for display in websites that is particularly adapted to enhancing access and use by search engine users. The approach includes choosing geographic areas that are well-suited for a system of on-line directories, and identifying business categories within these geographic areas appropriate for online directories. The approach involves contacting identified businesses, and developing groups of subscriber businesses willing to participate in online business directories. Once groups of subscriber businesses are developed, and organized by business category, for a specific geographic area, they are then incorporated into websites structured and configured in a manner that enhances access by relevant search engine users (potential customers). In further implementations, the websites are organized into directory systems, which further enhance access by Internet users, and provide search and comparison capabilities having great advantages over existing paper directories and online directory databases. More specifically, the implementation depicted in Figure 1 involves selecting

(100) at least a first and second geographic area, in which each area contains a variety of local businesses. A geographic area may be a local community such as a city or town, a county, village or borough, neighborhood, subdivision, development, or similar metropolitan area embracing several cities or towns, as well as a region of a state (such as the Front Range of Colorado) or a region that includes more than one state or section of a state (such as the Rocky Mountain region). In addition, a geographic area may be an area of commercial activity, such as a man-made structure or facility, or cluster of structures, including a shopping district, market, mall, or resort (examples include Madison Avenue in New York City, the Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis, or the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs). The selection of geographic areas may involve evaluation of the level and content of business and consumer activity, and awareness and use of the Internet by the local population and visitors to the area. Preferably, each area will contain multiple business categories, each category offering different products and or services, and will contain a number of independent firms or companies within each of the business categories. The implementation involves first identifying (105) multiple business categories in each of the first and second geographic areas. Preferably, these business categories have a sufficient number of independent businesses suitable for inclusion in a local directory. The invention contemplates that different business categories may be identified for each geographic area, as a function of factors such as size, population, and commercial and cultural characteristics of the area. Accordingly, the method involves also second identifying (110) and then contacting (115) a number of businesses within each business category and geographic area with the objective of establishing multiple subscriber business sets for each business category identified in each geographic area. The method involves establishing (120) a business set website for each multiple subscriber business set. developing (125) a web page for at least one subscriber business in each business set website, and associating (130) each such web page with the corresponding business set website, wherein the subscriber business of the web page is included in the business set of the website. Preferably, the method involves developing a particular web page for each subscriber business in each business set website. Each particular web page will preferably be located within the business set website and preferably will display additional information about each such subscriber. Also, each such web page will preferably have the look and contents similar to that ordinarily found in an independent business website created for the subscriber including, for example, detailed information concerning location, products and services, images, discounts, specials and coupons, an e-mail link, etc. The method involves also configuring (135) each business set website so that it is accessible by an Internet user employing a search engine to find local businesses of the business category and geographic area of the business set associated with the website. This step of configuring may preferably involve, for example, designing the website so that it will be indexed by preferred search engines, such as by limiting the number of web pages in each website, or limiting the number of web pages that may be indexed, so that the website will be indexed by search engines that refuse to index websites having more than a specified number of indexable web pages. Some search engines refuse to index websites having more than twenty to thirty web pages, and the method may include restricting, for each website of the plurality, the number of web pages, and subscribers, to a number not greater than a number in the range of twenty to thirty web pages. Such number may vary depending on the most stringent restriction established by preferred search engines. The step of configuring also may involve writing the text included in the website to enhance the probability that the website will be found and ranked highly by preferred search engines in response to predicted user searches.

In another implementation, the method may include registering (140) a domain name for each business set website, wherein the domain name involves a reference to both the geographic area and business category associated with the website. This step may substantially enhance the search engine ranking of each such business website, so greatly increasing the likelihood that search engine users will become aware of and visit the site.

In a further implementation, the method may include also second developing (145) at least one directory home page for each business set website, which displays to an Internet visitor to the site the directory of the site, comprised of a listing for each subscriber business in the business set of the website. This directory home page preferably is displayed as the first screen visible to the user, and appears as a list of business names, with certain additional information, such as street address, zip code, telephone number, and other facts likely to be of interest to potential customers. The implementation may include also, for each such business website, creating (150) a reversible intra-website link between each subscriber listing on the particular directory home page of the website and the particular subscriber web page associated with or corresponding to the subscriber of the listing. Such a link is preferably a "click on" link as will be appreciated by those familiar with the art of the present invention. As will be appreciated by those familiar with the art, a typical Internet user will employ a personal computer system, having a keyboard and mouse as control mechanisms, a terminal with a screen for viewing information and images, and a connection to the Internet, with access to one or more search engines. A reversible intra-website link associated with subscriber listings, with a "click on" mechanism, may typically enable a user, employing a mouse or other control mechanism, to place a pointer or cursor over the desired subscriber listing of the directory home page as seen on the user's screen, and then to depress a button or key on a mouse or other control mechanism, to activate the link, and make visible on the screen the web page devoted to the corresponding subscriber. In accordance with the reversible feature of the link, the subscriber web page is also typically designed to provide an area with instructions over which a user may place a pointer or cursor and then click to return to the home page displaying the subscriber listing. Preferably, the user will be able to scroll up and down the directory home page, to review desired subscriber listings, and then once a specific subscriber is selected activate a link associated with the subscriber listing to travel to a web page which provides more detailed information on the subscriber. A preferred feature of this implementation is the location of particular subscriber web pages within the website, which offers simplicity of design and organization, and reduces the risk that the user will lose the capacity to return easily to the website from the subscriber web page.

As shown in Figure 2, another implementation of the present invention involves establishing multiple local directory websites, which each have an internal structure and design that facilitates indexing and high ranking by search engines, but that also facilitates ease of use and substantial content valuable to Internet consumers. The implementation involves compiling (200) a plurality of directories, wherein each directory is comprised of at least one subscriber, and wherein each subscriber included in the directory is associated with the same geographic area, and with the same business category, as each other subscriber included in the directory. As also depicted in Figure 2, the method involves first establishing (210) a plurality of websites, one website for each directory, and wherein each website displays a compiled directory to an Internet visitor to the website. Preferably, each directory is displayed on a first web page of the website visible to an Internet visitor to the website, and provides a listing for each subscriber in the directory. As also shown in Figure 2, the method involves first configuring (220) each website to meet indexing specifications of preferred search engines. As will be appreciated by those familiar with the relevant art, search engines typically establish an index of websites that satisfy certain specifications of the search engine. When search engines conduct a word search of websites in response to a user search request, only indexed websites will be searched. It should be noted that some search engines index and search individual web pages, so that the step of first configuring (220) may involve formatting the web pages of the website so that the site will be appropriately indexed and searched. Indexing specifications may be published; in some instances, such specifications are not disclosed to the public. The step of configuring (220) websites to meet indexing specifications may accordingly involve designing websites to meet known specifications and in some instances, where specifications have not been published, to meet predicted specifications. It should be noted that there is a range of search engines available to users, and the step of configuring websites may involve selecting a group of preferred search engines, which may include those search engines most likely to be used by desired customers, and which operate in a manner most likely to index and rank highly the directory websites of the invention. Further, the method comprises second establishing (230) a set of terms for each particular website, comprised of one or more words or word fragments, that search engine users are predicted to use in employing search engines to locate businesses of the geographic area and business category associated with the particular website. These are words and word fragments that search engine users are expected to employ in key word searches for desired businesses. As will be appreciated by those familiar with the art, search engines typically prompt users to conduct searches by entering a search request comprised of certain key words or word fragments associated by the user with the subject or topic about which the user desires information. Such key words and word fragments may be identified by customer surveys, for example, or by subscriber experience and knowledge. The method involves also second configuring (240) each website, utilizing the set of terms developed for such website, with the objective of enhancing the ranking of the website by preferred search engines. A search engine typically ranks indexed websites in response to a user search request on the basis of relevancy of the content of the website to words employed by the user in the user's search request. This step may include, for example, repeating certain key words from the set of terms frequently in the text of the home page of the website. The step may also involve writing the meta-description of the home page so that the description uses key words predicted to be relevant to user searches for businesses of the category and geographic area found in the site. Various search engines place great weight on the use of relevant terms in the home page and meta- description. The method also involves, for each particular website in said plurality of websites and each corresponding directory, first building (250) at least one particular directory home page located within such particular website, that displays a listing for each subscriber included in the directory associated with said particular website; second building (260) at least one subscriber web page, located within said particular website, wherein said web page displays information specific to at least one subscriber listed in the directory to a visitor to said web page; and constructing (270) an intra-website link between said subscriber's listing on the particular directory home page and the corresponding subscriber web page, wherein a user may travel from the subscriber's listing on the directory home page to the corresponding subscriber web page. Each subscriber web page may be designed to provide detailed information about the subscriber, and may be designed to have the look and contents of an independent website; in other words, the method may involve building each subscriber web page to have a distinctive look and feel consistent with the subscriber' s business. In addition, in another implementation, each subscriber may utilize only a part of a web page, or may utilize one or multiple web pages within a website, to describe its business, products and/or services. Preferably, said intra-website link will be reversible, permitting travel from the subscriber listing to the corresponding subscriber web page, and back, and may be a "click on" link, as discussed above, and as will be familiar to those skilled in the art of the invention. In a further preferred implementation, said particular directory home page, which displays at least a portion, and preferably all, of the subscriber directory listings of the website, is the first screen visible to an Internet visitor to the website. In addition, the method may preferably involve ordering the subscriber web pages in series within the website and creating reversible intra-website links between each of the subscriber web pages, so enabling a user to travel from one web page to another in series. Ordering the subscriber web pages involves designing the particular website so that the web pages appear on a user's screen in a particular sequence. This may be the sequence established for the directory of subscriber listings, and such sequence may be an arrangement of subscriber names in alphabetical order. The method may comprise also developing (280) a domain name for each particular website, using the set of terms to enhance the search engine ranking of each such website in response to predicted user search requests. The step of developing (280) a domain name for each particular website may preferably include writing a first portion of said domain name to reference the geographic area associated with the directory of each website and writing a second portion to reference the business category associated with the directory. A geographic area may be a local community, or an area of commercial activity, such as a man-made structure or facility, or cluster of structures, as discussed above. Examples of domain names developed according to the method of the invention include: "Boulder-herbalist.com"; "Vail-skiing.com"; "Aurora- pet-stores.com"; "Miami-furniture.com" and "Atlanta-eye-doctors.com". Formulating the domain name may involve the use of hyphens, dashes, or other symbols typically used in writing domain names, may involve reversing the order of the first portion and second portion of the domain name, may involve including additional portions, may involve using a misspelling for a portion of the name if the misspelling is in common use. and may involve abbreviated references, such as where a geographic name is long, causing the domain name to exceed limitations that may be imposed by the registration authority on the number of characters in the domain name. It will be appreciated by those familiar with the art that the formulation of domain names may be affected by the rules and standards established by the registration authority, and developments in the common and statutory law that may apply to domain names, such that the method of this invention is necessarily within the regulatory and legal context that has evolved for domain names. In a further implementation of the invention, one or more web pages of a particular website may be provided a URL address so that they can be accessed directly by a user using the URL address.

As shown in Figure 3 , in another implementation, the invention involves a method for establishing a system of directory websites for each specific geographic area. Each directory website in the area is comprised of one or more subscribers of a specific business category. It is highly desirable from a marketing and customer identification perspective, to establish multiple directory websites for each geographic area to cover a multiplicity of goods, services and business classifications in that area. As shown in Figure 3, the method shown involves compiling (300) a plurality of directories, wherein each directory is comprised of at least one subscriber and wherein each subscriber in the directory is associated with a specific geographic area and business category in common with each other subscriber included in the directory. The method involves also establishing (310) a plurality of websites, one for each compiled directory. The method involves building (320) a first website of said plurality of websites, to display a first directory comprised of subscribers of a first geographic region and first business category. The method further comprises building (330) a second website of said plurality to display a second directory comprised of subscribers associated with said first geographic area and a second business category in common with all other subscribers of said second directory. In a preferred implementation, the method further involves building a system of directories and websites for said first geographic area, wherein each website in said system displays a directory of subscribers dedicated to a specific business category for each of a plurality of business categories. The method may involve also second developing a system of directories and associated websites for each of a plurality of different geographic areas. As depicted in Figure 3, the method may involve compiling (340) a mega-directory for said first geographic area, comprised of a directory of directories, that is. a particular listing for each directory established for said geographic area, and establishing (350) a mega-website for each mega-directory, to display the particular listings that describe the individual directories established for the geographic area. The method may involve also developing (360) a reversible inter- website link, preferably a "click on" link, between each of said particular listings in said mega- directory and the directory home page of the corresponding website, displaying the directory associated with said particular listing. The method may involve, in a preferred implementation, compiling a mega-directory for each of a plurality of geographic areas, wherein each mega-directory is comprised of a listing for each directory established for each geographic area. In another implementation, the method includes a further step of developing a domain name for each mega-website, and preferably a domain name that enhances the search engine ranking of the site. This may be achieved by including a reference to the geographic area covered by the mega-website in the domain name. In addition, a preferred implementation involves developing a domain name according to a format that is used to develop each mega-website domain name. The use of a uniform format is intended to develop a method by which an established or new customer familiar with the format may access mega- websites for many communities, and the entire directory system for specific geographic areas, without using a search engine. A preferred implementation of this method involves writing each mega-website domain name to reference the geographic area of the mega-website and the word "directory." The domain name may also include one or more hyphens or dashes, and other numbers, letters or symbols necessary to complete and register the domain name. Examples include: "denver- directory.com", "minneapolis-directory.com" and directory-new-orleans.com."

The invention involves also a method for overflow directories and websites for communities where a single directory formatted to promote favorable search engine indexing and ranking does not have the capacity to list all subscribers of a business category who desire to participate in such a directory. As discussed above, various search engines currently refuse to index websites larger than a limited number of web pages, so excluding large database directories from access to users via search engines. The method of the present invention utilizes a plurality of small websites, configured to promote favorable indexing and ranking by search engines. Where the number of subscribers exceeds available space on a website of the present invention, the method comprises also a step of developing additional directories and websites, also configured to promote favorable indexing and ranking by search engines. As reflected in Figure 4, the method for overflow directories and websites involves compiling (400) a plurality of directories, wherein each directory is comprised of at least one subscriber and wherein each subscriber in each such directory is associated with a specific geographic area and specific business category in common with each other subscriber included in such directory. The method involves also establishing (410) a plurality of websites, one for each directory compiled. The method involves building (420) a first website in said plurality to display a first directory of subscribers, wherein said first directory comprises subscribers of a first geographic area and a first business category. The method comprises also building (430) a second website in said plurality to display a second directory of subscribers, wherein said second directory comprises subscribers, not included in said first directory, but also of the first geographic area and first business category. The method comprises configuring (440) each established website to meet indexing specifications of preferred search engines; establishing (450) a set of terms, comprised of words and word fragments, that search engine users are predicted to use in seeking goods or services produced by subscribers found in each of said directories; and developing (460) a first domain name for the first website and a second domain name for the second website, utilizing the set of terms to enhance the ranking of each such website by preferred search engines in response to key word searches by Internet search engine users. In one implementation, the method may include also a step of developing a first domain name for said first website and a second domain name for said second website, wherein said first and second domain names are different, but both reference said first geographic region and first product. In this implementation, the geographic area may be broken into geographic subsections. Examples of such domain names are: "dallas- dentists-north.com" and "dallas-dentists-south.com ". In another implementation, the method may include constructing (470) a reversible inter- website link between said first website and said second website, so that a visitor to either may travel to the other, and back, so having easy access to the directories and subscribers of both sites. Such link may be a "click on" link as may be known to those familiar with the relevant art.

In another implementation, the method involves creating inter-website links between two or more websites within a geographic area that involve different business categories. Such inter-website links may be reversible, "click on" links as discussed above. Preferably, such links may be developed between websites that have been established for different but related business categories. Several different particular websites may each provide a good or service within a family of related goods and services, and in which some or all of the goods and or services might be of interest to particular Internet customers. For example, a customer planning a wedding might be interested in a bakery website, a caterer website, a florist website, a site for shops selling wedding gowns, and a website for stationers. In this implementation, the method may accordingly comprise the steps of: identifying relationships among the business categories of particular directories of established directory websites to develop sets of related websites; writing instructions within the websites of such sets of related websites informing users of the availability of other related websites and providing instructions for gaining access via links; and constructing links between the particular websites of each set of related websites. In a further implementation, the method involves creating a directory "web ring." This may involve creating a reversible inter- website link between a first website and a second website of the plurality of directories; second creating a second reversible inter- website link between said second website and a third website; and third creating a third reversible inter- website link between said third website and said first website, wherein a user may travel along a web ring and access one or more directory websites from other directory websites, such as for purposes of shopping for products from related business categories. The use of interconnected website families and directory web rings allows the customer to access a number of directory websites without having to return to a search engine.

In another implementation, the method may involve developing a reversible inter- website link between at least one subscriber web page of a particular directory site and a business website independent of the directory website in which the subscriber web page is located. In some circumstances, a subscriber business may have established a separate business website, and may wish to provide for access to that website from its subscriber web page in a particular directory website. This feature may be of value when the business provides even more information on its independent business website than can be accommodated in a subscriber web page. In another implementation, the method involves creating directory websites in which subscribers have one or more additional characteristics in common, other than geographic area and business category, such as common ownership. For example, a restaurant business may have a large number of restaurants all in a single community, located in different sections of the community. The restaurant business may have a distinctive well-known business name associated with each restaurant of the group, or the restaurant business may be owned by, or affiliated with, a national chain, and thereby benefit from customer identification with the trade name of the national chain. Customers may wish to know the location of particular restaurants of the group closest to the area in which such customers are living or visiting. A directory website providing information regarding location, telephone number, menu, hours of operation, reservation system, etc., as to each of the restaurants in a group of related restaurants would be highly beneficial. Accordingly, the method involves establishing directories wherein each subscriber is associated with the same geographic area and business category, but occupies a different location in the geographic area and each is affiliated with each other subscriber, such as by common ownership or other legal affiliation. Another example would be a directory in which each subscriber in the directory holds a franchise, license or distributorship relationship with another entity: a pet food distributor might wish to provide a directory of all pet stores in a local community that have a distributorship arrangement to provide the distributor's products. In this implementation, the domain name for each website may comprise a reference to the geographic area, and also comprise a reference to the trade name associated with the common owner, licensor, franchisor, distributor, and which is strongly associated in customers' minds with each of the subscribers to the directory of the website. In another implementation of the invention, as depicted in Figure 5, the method involves an approach by which a potential search engine user, seeking a good or service in a specific geographic area, may access and utilize local directories established according to the method of the present invention. In this embodiment, the method comprises accessing (500) the search program of a preferred search engine, wherein the search engine operates by seeking websites relevant to user searches employing key words selected by the user; developing (510) a search request having at least one key word referencing a desired geographic region and at least one key word referencing a business category; submitting (515) said search request to the search program of the search engine; reviewing(520) a listing of websites provided by the search engine; selecting (525) a particular directory website from the listing of websites provided by the search engine, wherein all subscribers of the website are associated with the same geographic area and a specific business category desired by the user; activating (530) a link from the search engine^'s listing of websites to view a first web page of said particular directory website, displaying a directory of subscribers, and wherein said directory displays a listing, or description, of each subscriber; selecting (535) a first subscriber's listing from said directory; and activating (540) a reversible link between said first subscriber's listing and a second web page of the directory website, providing information concerning said first subscriber. The method may preferably also include activating (545) said link to return from said web page displaying information concerning said first subscriber to said first web page displaying said directory; selecting (550) a second subscriber's listing from said directory; activating (555) a second reversible link between said second subscriber's listing and a third web page within said website, to view information concerning said second subscriber displayed by said third web page; and exiting (560) said website. In another implementation, the method also may involve a step by which the user, after reviewing the second web page, activates another reversible link between the second web page and a third web page of the directory website, wherein the third web page provides information about a second subscriber. In this implementation, the user may travel from one subscriber's web page of the directory website to another subscriber^'s web page, without returning to the directory web page, and without leaving the website. As may be appreciated by one familiar with the art, each link provided within the website may be a "click on' link. In addition, in another implementation each subscriber may utilize only part of a web page, or may have one or multiple web pages within a website, providing information about the subscriber, and its products and services.

To further illustrate the invention, Figure 6 depicts a portion of a system of directories and websites established for a single geographic area according to the method of the present invention, showing the manner in which a user may travel from a search engine to a directory website and then along reversible links within directory websites and between directory websites and other related and overflow directory websites. Figure 6 also displays paths of travel from a mega-directory and mega-website established for the geographic area along reversible links to various directory websites listed in the mega-directory. As shown on Figure 6, the invention involves a search engine (610). which may be employed by a user to locate information in a specific geographic area, Dallas, concerning dentists. In response to a user search request involving the words "Dallas" and "dentist", the search engine (610) displays listings (614) for two indexed directory websites, dallas-dentists-nw.com (620) and dallas-dentists- sw.com (630). The user can directly access these websites by reversible links from the search engine listings (614). Reversible links are depicted on Figure 6 by two-way arrows. If the user selects the directory website dallas-dentists-nw.com (620), the user will travel by link to the home page (624) of this website, review the listings on the home page (624), and from that location may then travel by reversible link to individual web pages displaying additional information regarding each of the dental practices listed on the home page listings. For example, the user might travel from the home page (624) along a link to the web page for Allen Dental (626), or the web page for Carter Dental Group (628). In addition, the user may wish to travel from web page to web page within the website, without returning to the home page, such as along a reversible link from the Allen Dental web page (626) to the Carter Dental Group web page (628), and back. If the user wishes to see an overflow directory, to determine if dentists described therein are located close to his home in the northwest region, he may activate a link from dallas- dentists-nw.com (620) to the overflow directory at dallas-dentists-sw.com (630), and then return to the directory website for the northwest region. As is shown, dallas-dentists- nw.com provides links to other directory websites displaying related business categories, such as dallas-orthodontics.com (640) . If the user, after reviewing the web pages for dental practices found on dallas-dentists-nw.com (620), wishes to access a website devoted to orthodontists, so that he can have one of his children evaluated for braces, he can directly access the directory dallas-orthodontics.com (640) by activating a reversible link to this website on the home page ofdallas-dentists-nw.com (620). If he then wishes to access a website devoted to pediatric dentists, to care for his difficult three-year old, he can access a link on the home page ofdallas-orthodontics.com (640), which will take him to dallas-dentist-child.com (650). If this then reminds him that he needs to pick up dental floss for his wife, he can access a link on the home page of dallas-dentist- child.com (650) that will connect him to dallas-pharmacies.com (660). wherein he can review a directory of pharmacies to determine which pharmacy offering dental products is within proximity of his office. In addition, if he remembers he has used the directory system of the present invention before and recalls that it offers a mega-directory for each geographic area, according to a uniform method of domain names, he can use the website locator function of his Internet access provider to enter the domain name "dallas- directory.com " and thereby find dallas-directory.com (670), which provides a listing for all directory websites established for the geographic area as well as reversible links to such directory websites. As will be appreciated, Figure 6 displays only a portion of the possible business categories, directories and websites that may be established for a given geographic area. In another implementation, multiple directories and websites may be established for a plurality of geographic areas, along with a mega-directory and associated mega-website for each geographic area, as well as overflow directories and websites, and various structures of related directories and websites, along with reversible links to facilitate easy access.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that further modifications and adaptations of the present invention will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method for facilitating access to local businesses by Internet users employing a search engine, comprising the steps of: selecting a first geographic area and a second geographic area, wherein each of said first and second geographic areas includes a variety of local businesses; for each of said first and second geographic areas, first identifying multiple business categories for inclusion in a local directory; for each identified business category in each of said first and second geographic areas, second identifying a number of businesses wherein each of said number of businesses is within said business category and is located within a respective one of said first and second geographic areas; for each identified business category in each of said first and second geographic areas, contacting said number of businesses to obtain a set of subscriber businesses, thereby establishing, for each of said first and second geographic areas, multiple subscriber business sets wherein each set relates to a particular business category; for each of said multiple business sets, establishing at least one business set website; developing a web page for at least one of the subscriber businesses of each business set website; associating said web page with a corresponding one of said business set websites; and for each of said business sets, configuring said business set website such that said business set website may be accessed by an Internet user using a search engine to locate businesses of the business set within one of said first and second geographic areas wherein all subscribers of the business set are located.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of registering a domain name for each business set website wherein said domain name is comprised of a first portion referencing the geographic area associated with said business set website and a second portion referencing the business category associated with said business set website.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of second developing a particular directory home page for each business set website, wherein each said directory home page displays a listing for each subscriber business of each business set website.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of creating a reversible intra-website link between each particular subscriber business listing displayed on said particular directory home page and each particular web page developed for the corresponding subscriber business of the listing.

5. A method for facilitating access to local businesses by Internet users employing a search engine, comprising the steps of: compiling a plurality of directories wherein each directory is comprised of at least one subscriber and wherein each subscriber included in the directory is associated with a specific geographic area and a specific business category in common with each additional subscriber included in the directory; first establishing a plurality of websites, wherein there is one particular website for each directory in said plurality of directories, and wherein each particular website is designed to display the directory associated with it to Internet users accessing the website; first configuring each particular website of said plurality of websites to satisfy the specifications for indexing established by preferred search engines; for each particular website in said plurality of websites, second establishing a set of terms, comprised of one or more words or word fragments, that search engine users seeking the specific business category and geographic area found in each said particular website are predicted to use in key word searches employed by such users; and second configuring each said particular website of said plurality of websites utilizing said set of terms such that said particular website will be highly ranked by said preferred search engines in response to users' predicted key word searches employing one or more of said words or word fragments in said set of terms.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of developing a domain name for each particular website produced by said step of first establishing, utilizing said set of terms, to enhance the ranking of each said particular website by preferred search engines in response to key word searches by Internet search engine users seeking the business category and geographic area associated with subscribers of each directory.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of developing a domain name for each particular website comprises writing a first portion of said domain name to reference the geographic area associated with the directory of each particular website and writing a second portion of said domain name to reference the business category associated with the directory of each particular website.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said geographic area is a local community in which all subscribers of the directory of each particular website are located or operate.

9. The method of claim 7. wherein said geographic area comprises a specific area of commercial activity such as a shopping district, market, mall, or resort.

10. The method of claim 5. wherein said step of first configuring each particular website comprises limiting the number of web pages in each particular website to satisfy the specifications for indexing established by preferred search engines.

11. The method of claim 5. comprising the additional steps of. for each particular website in said plurality and each directory associated with said particular website: first building at least one particular directory home page, located within said first website of said plurality, wherein said directory home page displays a listing for each subscriber included in said directory associated with said particular website; second building at least one subscriber web page, located within said particular website, wherein said subscriber web page displays information specific to at least one subscriber listed in the directory of the particular website to an Internet visitor to said subscriber web page; and constructing an intra-website link between each subscriber's listing identified on said particular directory home page and the subscriber web page developed for such subscriber according to said step of second building at least one subscriber web page, wherein a user may travel from the subscriber listing to the subscriber web page, to obtain more information concerning the subscriber.

12. The method of claim 11. wherein each said intra-website link is reversible, enabling an Internet user visiting the website to travel back and forth between said subscriber listing and the corresponding subscriber web page.

13. The method of claim 11. wherein each said intra-website link is a "click on" link, in which a user, employing a mouse or other control mechanism, places a pointer or cursor over a subscriber listing displayed on the user^'s screen, and then depresses a button or key on the mouse or other control mechanism to activate the link, causing the subscriber web page associated with the subscriber listing to become visible on the user's screen.

14. The method of claim 12, comprising also the steps of: ordering all said particular subscriber web page of a particular website in series; and creating reversible intra-website links between said particular subscriber web pages, enabling a user to travel from web page to web page, so as to review all or a portion of said web pages in series.

15. The method of claim 1 1, wherein said particular directory home page, displaying at least a portion of the directory associated with the particular website, is the first screen visible to an Internet visitor to the website.

16. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of first establishing a plurality of websites comprises: building a first website in said plurality to display a first directory of subscribers, wherein said first directory comprises subscribers of a first geographic area and a first business category; and building a second website in said plurality to display a second directory of subscribers, wherein said second directory comprises subscribers of said first geographic area and a second business category.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising also the step of: developing a system of directories and websites for said first geographic area, wherein at least one directory and at least one associated website are established for each of a plurality of business categories.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising also the step of second developing a system of directories for each of a plurality of different geographic areas.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising also the steps of: compiling a mega-directory for each geographic area, comprised of a particular listing for each website of the plurality of websites established for the geographic area; third establishing a mega-website for each mega-directory, wherein said mega- website displays said mega-directory including its particular listings to Internet users of the mega-website; and third developing a reversible inter-website link between each of said particular listings in the mega-directory displayed by each mega-website, and the particular directory home page of the website associated with each said particular listing, wherein said reversible link enables an Internet user to travel from each particular listing of the mega-website to a particular directory home page of the corresponding website, and back.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein each reversible inter- website link is a "click on" link, in which a user, employing a mouse or other control mechanism, places a pointer or cursor over a particular listing of a mega-directory displayed on the user's screen, and then depresses a button or key on the mouse or other control mechanism, to activate the link, causing the directory home page associated with the listing to become visible on the user's screen.

21. The method of claim 19, comprising also the step of fourth developing a domain name for each mega-website, and wherein each said domain name comprises a reference to the geographic area associated with said mega-website.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said domain name comprises a first portion that references a geographic area associated with said mega-website, and a second portion comprised of the word "directory."

23. The method of claim 5, comprising also the steps of: building a first website of said plurality of websites to display a first directory of subscribers, wherein the directory comprises subscribers of a first geographic area and a first business category; building a second website of said plurality of websites to display a second directory of subscribers, wherein said second directory comprises subscribers of said first geographic area and said first business category, and wherein said subscribers are not included in said first directory; and building a reversible inter- website link between said first and second websites to enable a visitor to travel from one of said first and second websites to the other, and back.

24. The method of claim 23 , comprising also the step of developing a domain name for each of said first and second websites, wherein each domain name references said first geographic area and first product but is different from the other domain name and is separately registerable.

25. The method of claim 16. comprising also the steps of: creating a first reversible inter-website link between said first website and said second website; second creating a second reversible inter- website link between said second website and a third website within said system of directories; and third creating a third reversible inter-website link between said third website and said first website, wherein a user may travel along a directory "web ring" and access one or more directory websites from other directory websites, such as for purposes of shopping for products from related business categories.

26. The method of claim 11, comprising also the step of developing a reversible inter-website link between at least one subscriber web page and a business website independent of the directory website in which the subscriber web page is located.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said business website linked to said subscriber web page is associated with the subscriber for whom the subscriber web page was developed, and provides additional information about the subscriber.

28. The method of claim 1 1 , wherein all subscribers participating in said first directory are commonly owned, and each subscriber occupies a location in the geographic area associated with the first directory separate from each other subscriber.

29. The method of claim 11 , wherein each subscriber participating in said first directory has a license, franchise or other affiliation with a separate entity, and wherein each subscriber occupies a location in the geographic area associated with the first directory separate from each other subscriber.

30. The method of claim 17, also comprising the steps of: identifying relationships among the business categories of particular directories to develop sets of related websites; writing instructions within the particular websites of such sets of related websites informing users of the availability of other particular websites within such sets of related websites and providing instructions for gaining access to such websites via links; and constructing links between the particular websites of each set of related websites.

31. A method by which an Internet user may utilize a search engine to obtain information about businesses of a specific business category located within a specific geographic area, comprising the steps of: accessing a search program of a search engine, wherein said search program carries out searches for websites relevant to key words submitted by a user; developing a search request comprised of at least one key word associated with a desired business category and at least one key word associated with a desired geographic area; submitting said search request to said search engine; reviewing a listing of websites provided by said search engine in response to said search request; first selecting a particular directory website found in said listing of websites that includes subscribers all associated with the same geographic area and of the same business category desired by the user; first activating a link from said listing of websites to said directory website to view a first web page contained within said website displaying a directory of subscribers, and wherein said directory includes a listing for each subscriber; second selecting at least one subscriber's listing in said directory; and second activating a reversible link between said subscriber's listing displayed on said first web page and a second web page also contained within said website, providing information concerning the subscriber associated with said web page, to view information regarding said subscriber on said web page.

32. The method of claim 31 , comprising also the steps of: while viewing said second web page, third activating said first reversible link to return to said first web page displaying said directory; third selecting a second subscriber's listing in said directory; and fourth activating a second reversible link between said second listing and a third web page contained within said website providing information concerning said second subscriber.

33. The method of claim 32, comprising also the steps of: after viewing said second web page, fifth activating a third reversible link between said second web page and said third web page within said website.

JJ

34. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one subscriber web page is given a URL address so that said subscriber web page can be accessed directly without having to access the directory home page first.