The business directory is part of maidenhead.net. This large community based site, which we designed and maintain, has a business directory that is powered by a suite of Perl scripts specially written by us. The scripts allow dynamic entry and editing of the directory information by authorised business owners and editing of hidden status fields by the site administrator. Password protection is used to give security and allow only authorized people editing access.

Directory pages are instantly updated in HTML for use by the site's visitors. The fact that the directory pages are generated in ordinary HTML means that search engines can index the information easily in their databases, making the information on the pages available to searchers.

Summary status information, including the number of entries and number of categories, is shown on the main page of the directory.

Full error checking is included in the scripts as well as an administrator's area. The system includes an "enhanced entry" feature which gives businesses the chance to have an entry with more information, a link to their web site and email address all in a larger font and coloured background. The system is popular with local business owners and site visitors.