You wonder how people will discover you—will they find you online? Will they walk by and notice?
What if the answer was neither? Enter the next generation of business directories—an innovation that pre-lists businesses before they even sign up. It sounds too good to be true.
When I first sat down with one of our esteemed European clients, I could sense that. The client had a bold vision: to replace traditional business directories with a more innovative, more inclusive platform that listed businesses before they even signed up. No subscriptions. No barriers.
They needed a system capable of handling massive datasets, enriching content with AI, and delivering a seamless user experience. I was confident we could deliver—but I also knew this would be one of the most ambitious projects we’d ever undertaken.
The Conflict: A Data Mountain to Climb
The client’s idea was revolutionary, but the challenges were daunting:
- They needed to manage over 600,000 businesses across Great Britain, complete with categories, locations, and detailed attributes.
- AI-driven content enrichment was a must to make every listing meaningful and engaging.
- The platform needed fast, reliable search capabilities to handle diverse user queries.
- Geospatial data and real-time reviews had to integrate seamlessly to add value for users.
- And, of course, everything had to be scalable, flexible, and easy to manage.
When I heard the scope, I thought, this is the kind of challenge that pushes your limits.
The Turning Point: Choosing the Right Technology
We knew we needed a platform that could handle the complexity and scale of the client’s vision. After careful evaluation, we chose the Pimcore Platform as the foundation. Its open-source flexibility and ability to manage any complex data of any type.
OpenAI supported it for intelligent data enrichment and robust capabilities. It was a combination of innovation and practicality—exactly what the project demanded.
The Build: Turning Vision into Reality
Minds Task team was all-in from the first meeting to the final deployment. Here’s how we tackled the client’s challenges head-on:
- Efficient Data Management
We started by designing an architecture that could efficiently import and organize massive datasets. Managing over 600,000 businesses wasn’t just about scale but about maintaining quality and relevance.
- AI-Powered Content Enrichment
Using OpenAI’s language capabilities, we applied prompt engineering to create prompts that transformed raw business attributes into engaging descriptions. Every listing felt personal and compelling, helping businesses stand out without any manual effort.
- Lightning-Fast Search with ElasticSearch
ElasticSearch integrated seamlessly with Pimcore to provide blazing-fast search results. Whether users wanted a specific restaurant in Manchester or a list of car dealerships in London, the platform delivered with precision.
- Mapping the Experience with OpenStreetMap
Integrating OpenStreetMap was a game-changer. Users could see business locations on a map, making it easier to explore options visually. This geospatial layer added a new level of interactivity to the platform.
- Seamless Review Integration
We connected Pimcore to third-party APIs to fetch real-time reviews. This wasn’t just about listing businesses—it was about building trust through authentic user feedback.
- Content Distribution Simplified
Using Pimcore’s APIs, we enabled the automation of content updates across channels. Static pages with dynamic, real-time data ensured consistency and accuracy without constant manual intervention.
This wasn’t just another tech project—it was a platform that empowered small businesses, many of whom lacked the resources for traditional marketing.
The Results: Innovation That Delivered
By the time we launched in 2023, the delivered solution wasn’t just another business directory. It was a pioneer. The results spoke for themselves:
- 600,000+ businesses are listed, and zero effort is required from the business owners.
- AI-enriched content drove organic traffic and highlighted businesses’ unique value propositions.
- Fast, reliable search improved user engagement and satisfaction.
- Geospatial integration made exploring businesses intuitive and visual.
- A flexible CMS empowered their team to manage content effortlessly.
Seeing it all come together was one of the proudest moments for Minds Task team.
What’s Next: Scaling New Heights
The success in the UK was just the beginning. The client is now expanding into Denmark, and the platform is ready to scale thanks to its robust foundation.
It wasn’t just about solving technical challenges—it was about enabling a vision that would transform how businesses and customers connect.
Final Thought: Why This Matters
Technology is only as powerful as the problems it solves. We didn’t just build a platform—we built a bridge between businesses and their customers.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this journey, innovation isn’t about flashy features. It’s about understanding the core problem, picking the right tools, and delivering solutions that truly make a difference.
And for our client, the difference is clear: they’re not just redefining business directories—they’re transforming how businesses are discovered. We, at Minds Task, couldn’t be more prouder to have played a role in making that happen.
