Shopping directory

A shopping directory is a "Yellow Pages Directory Style" website similar to the Open Directory Project or the Yahoo! Directory with focus on sites that sell products or services, usually referred to as ecommerce websites.

A shopping directory is different than a shopping search engine or shopping comparison site.

Business models

• Charging a one-time and/or recurring listing/review fee
• Use of affiliate programs of the listed ecommerce sites to earn commissions on referrals
• Advertising in the directory itself, such as banner ads, contextual ads like Google AdSense or some form of sponsored listings (usually pay per click based)
• a combination of the above

There are free directories that are updated by volunteers, but they are more the exception than the norm on the Internet today.