R.H. Donnelley, a yellow pages publisher and local search company, announced that it has expanded the reach of its local search site, DexKnows.com, to more markets across the US.
R.H. Donnelley first launched DexKnows.com last year in 14 states in the West and Midwest. It has since expanded the local search engine site to 28 total states. DexKnows.com allows users to search for local businesses using keywords within specific geographical areas. It also provides residential information including phone numbers and addresses.
People who use a local search directory like DexKnows.com are generally looking for a specific product or service, so it attracts fairly active buyers who are ready to a make a decision and engage advertisers, said Jeff Porter, VP/General Manager of R.H. Donnelley’s interactive unit.
Users can search for businesses by name or by category, Porter added. They can also search by content-related keywords or select specific attributes or characteristics to further filter a list of results.
The site incorporates local content from more than 700 of R.H. Donnelley’s print directories. “We spend a lot of time with advertisers on building up profiles on them,” Porter said. “By really understanding the advertisers that are giving us information, we can best match them to consumers.”
In addition to business and residential listings, the site also has a number of new features that allow users to provide reviews and ratings. Although it’s been historically taboo for yellow page companies to have user ratings and review in the past, DexKnows.com has embraced user reviews and ratings, Porter said. “We think it offers a richer search experience,” he said.
By using personalization tools on the site, users can build an index of favorite businesses. The site also has a comparison shopping feature that allows consumers to look at listings side-by-side. The site also provides directions and estimated travel times, as well as maps. Video clips of commercials and other segments on local businesses will be available in some markets. “We’re always looking at ways to enhance our user experience,” Porter said.
