UAE Yellow Pages website upgraded

New technology has made the UAE's Yellow Pages website the most advanced of its kind in the region, said an official.

"With the introduction of new features to the online Yellow Pages, businesses will be able to reach their customers more effectively," said Maroua Naim, general manager of EIM, the Internet unit of Etisalat.

"Across all our services we are developing innovative product solutions that deliver the best possible service to our customers."

The project was carried out by Al Wahda Express LLC, official publishers of Etisalat's White and Yellow Pages directories since 1986, Informap and EIM.

In addition to the complete re-design of the bilingual site and more company information, the Gulf's first online business mapping system has been integrated to pinpoint locations and provide accurate directions.

The new mapping system, provided by Informap, lets users locate a business establishment in the country.

A zoom function is available to a maximum of four levels, with the last level allowing the user to print or e-mail the page.

All the UAE's shopping malls have also been mapped out in detail, giving the users the chance to identify specific shops within each mall and gain information about them.

"Many customers have highlighted to us how difficult it can be to find a specific business in the UAE," said David Khidasheli, general manger of Informap.

"The new mapping system not only provides an area and street map but also highlights key landmarks to the destination and a photograph of the building. This will cut the time of travel significantly when locating the destination."

A brand search facility has also been added to refine the identification of businesses online.

Further, microsites and online internal directories now allow users to access extensive information on a company.

"It is possible to search for certain specific brands," said Wayne Foster, chief executive of Al Wahda Express.

"Previously, searches were limited to specific names of businesses and classification. Now users are able to simply type in or select a brand and be provided with a list of outlets in the UAE that distribute that particular brand. In turn, the mapping function can be used to locate the relevant outlets."

Launched in 2000, the website has more than 60,000 listings categorised under 2,500 classifications.