The online directory business has now become an integral part of every smart advertising strategy, and it's easy to understand why. However, the advent of the Internet has offered greater opportunities for businesses to engage in online advertising, and this touches upon using business directories as well. Although a company may still find some benefits in advertising in a printed local business directory, it is actually advantageous for a company to post free online advertising classifieds as well. In fact, better results may be generated through free online advertising compared to what may be achieved through print media.
As the Internet became more ubiquitous and integral in the lives of ordinary consumers, the popularity of print media has decreased precipitously. Sales of once popular magazines have declined, and even venerable institutions such as Newsweek have ceased their print operations entirely in lieu of online operations. Major newspapers haven't fared well either, and just about every major U.S. newspaper now has an online edition as well. Even books have been affected as well, with the sales of ebooks increasing every year and threatening to eventually outsell their paperback versions. Because of the decreasing popularity of print media, it makes much sense to become listed in an online directory than in a traditional print directory.