- Approximately 230,000 UK businesses are registered as ex-directory
- The majority of ex-directory business records relate to SOHO (Small Office Home Office) companies and consultancies
- Almost half of the ex-directory business records are available as Directory enQuiry by Request (DQR) numbers
- Although a telephone number may not be available the appending of an ex-directory flag suggests that the details held on file might be correct
Approximately 8.5 per cent, or 230,000, of the UK’s 2.9 million business telephone numbers are registered as ex-directory.
Apart from branch networks and ‘selective’ companies who only accept referrals, the XD records on the BT business database are predominantly sole traders, SOHO (Small Office Home Office) and other home-based operations.
Almost half of the business ex-directory listings are registered as Directory enQuiry by Request (DQR) records, for which a telephone number can be supplied, provided that the correct name and address details are submitted.
In addition to improving match rates and ROI, business XD flags also provide verification of company contact details, proving that a business continues to trade using the name and address held on the customer database. An XD flag also indicates that the company owner or director may be more responsive to mail or email campaigns, as they have taken measures to protect their telephone contact details.
