WorldPages/Web YP Partners with Internet 800 Directory

San Francisco-based WorldPages/WebYP Inc., an Internet white and yellow pages directory, entered into a strategic alliance with the Internet 800 Directory, a toll free number directory that also allows for “click-through” Internet telephony.

Both directory services have created search vehicles allowing users to specify queries that will access their respective databases in order to search for information from both.

“WorldPages users will now have a valuable tool to access toll free numbers by which to call companies for services and products,” said Steven A. Jackson, president of JAServices Inc., and owner of the Internet 800 Directory.

“In addition, the ‘Click2Talk’ Internet telephony application opens up the international market,” he said. Essentially, this feature allows for callers from around the world to simply click on a toll free listing within the Internet 800 Directory and be connected, free, over the Internet, to those companies listed.

“The addition of Internet 800’s toll-free directory adds a unique and valuable resource for WorldPages. It goes beyond what is available elsewhere and is an example of WorldPages bringing the best-of-breed to its users,” said Rick Klein, president of WorldPages/Web YP Inc.

The Internet 800 Directory was created by JAServices Inc., and the company reports it was “the first and only major toll-free entry that allows all businesses to be listed, free, (larger, bolder ads, of course are sold) and regardless of carrier,” as opposed to AT&T’s proprietary toll-free directory. Hundreds of thousands of toll free numbers contained within the Internet 800 Directory are not listed within AT&T’s services, the company claims.

The directory also supplies its toll free database to Universal Directory Services Inc. (UDSi), which owns and operates the 800/555-1414 voice directory assistance service.

The Internet 800 Directory provides listings and searches by company name, business category, 800/888/877 number and by state. Businesses can electronically submit their listing information via the Web site or by dialing a toll-free number or by downloading the IDT Corporation/Net2Phone plug-in to make a voice call over the Internet.

Web YP Inc., the parent of WorldPages is a provider of Web-based advertising for small businesses in the U.S. and Canada.