Braby's, Africa's largest business directory, has joined with Ananzi, South Africa's premier Internet search engine, to bring Braby's prestigious Commercial Search to local Internet users.
Braby's has between 500 000 and 600 000 businesses listed in their comprehensive catalogued directory, of which approximately 380 000 are South African. Small and medium businesses make up the bulk of entries in Braby's directory, coinciding with the thrust of developing smaller businesses as the best way to stimulate the economy.
These can now be searched either by category, business name or even telephone number using the link on the Ananzi home page. The search can also be refined to include only certain areas of South Africa.
Jane Allison, internet product manager for Braby's, says the Internet is supposed to be "the" source of information for businesses and individuals, but the way it is done in this country, there is only a limited amount of information available. In order to stimulate the economy, names of businesses must be in circulation and available to people looking for them.
Only about 1,1-million people in South Africa have access to the Internet, and the number of businesses who have the resources, both financial and technological, to put their sites up on the Internet is limited.
"Putting our catalogue on Ananzi is one of the few ways that every member of South Africa's business world can get exposure on the Net, even without having an Internet presence themselves," Allison says.
Braby's decided this year to use Ananzi as a jump site for their directory because it is the most well-known and comprehensive South African search engine.
Mark Buwalda, Ananzi's business manager is excited by the addition to Ananzi, and says that adding the service complements Ananzi's ability to serve users effectively.
"It's part of our rapid expansion which will lead to Ananzi becoming South Africa's information hub," he concludes.
The online directory has proved to be incredibly successful with hits rising from 3 000 in February 1998 to 30 000 in February 1999. And it is hoped that with the co-operation between Braby's and Ananzi this will increase even further.
According to Allison, the overall success of the directory is a direct result of Braby's attention to detail. "We spend millions every year verifying our information. It takes only a year for a database to become 31% inaccurate, so constant verification is essential," she adds.
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