Creating an online directory - How to add businesses?

[JoyDivision]

I am making an online directory for Manc clubbers now they are loads of these in existance but mine is very different and original (all will be revealed when the site is built) but I need to get take aways, clubs, taxi firms etc to be listed in it.

I understand you cannot use the yellow pages to do this as you have to pay for mailing lists, but this is intended to be a zero budget project until apart from advertising.

I was thinking of getting details of google would this be legal? Do I need to get the permision of busineses before I include them?

Listings will be free but later if the site is a sucess I will charge for extras but the point of the directory is really to help establish my main business when I am ready to launch that, there is nothing stopping me from making the directory site now though :).

[webit]

On a slightly different tack you might get some ideas from these guys

http://www. flyercentral.co.uk/

[the URL is broken so not to provide a backtrackable link]

If your found to be lifting form Yellow Pages they'll string you up. Read the small print - we had to.

You could always write some agents to scrape other sites to get the info you want. Anything that's in the public domain is free subject to individual terms of that site. For example if you were to use the webit.net content to form the basis of another directory we'd fight it though being a bit of a poacher turned gamekeeper we dont show any email addresses or URL's of our members anywhere, hence nothing to scrape.

[JoyDivision]

All I need is the address and phone number of businesses. As you said Yellow Pages is dodgy ground.

If I happened to trawl the streets of Manchester and take note of addresses and phone numbers would that be legal? My idea was to stick them on the directory but provide a removal link, I am not sure how this differs from search engines which automaticaly spider web pages.

[paulcreedy]

If you are providing advertising to that business for free and you are not degrading them in anyway I can't see them complaining.

Who complains about getting free advertising? I wouldn't.

As for listing them without asking them first, search engines do it all the time with websites.

Using direct from the Yellow pages is on rocky ground, but nothing is stopping you from using the yellow pages to phone the businesses up and just ask them if they mind being listed, or use it to send out a brochure about your site.

[Top Hat]

Why would using yellow pages be illegal?

Just use yellow pages, don't copy the ad just use it as a list of suitable companies, visit there website or phone them up to get more info.

List everyone who fits, if they don't want to be in your directory, they can ask to be removed (they won't find they are in, unless you are successful, and if you are successful why on earth would they not want you in!!)

[JoyDivision]

Thanks I have a good idea how to handle it now :). People need to know which clubs to go to so they don't leave on their own and want to cry. I am this charming man really :D

Hopefully I will have it up and running by the weekend.

[fastfences]

Good to hear, JD. All the best with it!
Cheers, Nigel