Look for an Internet directory with performance-based options

Some search engines or directories only make you pay as your business gets leads from them. Once you get feedback on your site's performance, you can make adjustments based on what customers want.

I recommend: Superpages.com allows a variety of options to get your business listed, including a free listing or a Pay-Per-Click option. Yellowpages.com also offers a free listing or an option to build an online store to drive visitors to you.

Get national exposure through an Internet business directory

If you are a local business looking to expand nationwide, an online directory can give you the kind of visibility needed. Get your brand out to more people with business Internet portals.

I recommend: The largest Internet directories, such as Yahoo! or Google, will drive the most attention to your business. DMOZ is a site where you can request to list your business for search engines to pick up.

Use an Internet business directory to get your company profile out to the public

An Internet directory service is more than a phone book, it's a way to get company information out to the general public.

I recommend: Business.com is a directory that also offers thousands of business-specific categories.  DexKnows.com gives your business the ability to be compared to other similar ones by location. Also, Hoover's offers company profiles and expert advice to millions of customers.