Golden pages.
I am a 30 something quite net savvy person and not in the professional service or trade sector.
But when looking for solictors, insurance companies, electricians, plumbers, jewellers, taxi companies, restaurants, hotels and pubs and other goods and services I use the Golden pages hard copy 9 times out of 10 because I like to have a feel of the company from it's advertisment.
I don't find the GP net very good for this aspect. I may then look up the company on their own website but I do my inital search in the GP book.
There are other considerations to think about.
1) Most companies block websites but there is a hard copy of the GP in most offices.
2) Not everyone is online at home or work especially the older generation - to assume they are, is highly foolish and these people may need the services offered and nearly everyone has a phone.
3) It takes longer to boot up a pc/laptop than a person looking up a phone book and yes I've found this from experience.
4) What happens if there is an electrical or broadband outage and if people need to access the info, how can they? A torch, GP book and a phone which are already in most homes
and you could be sorted.
Yes there is a cost factor but given more business is generated from hard copy I'd say.
Btw a good few people I know still prefer the hard copy - all of us are in our 30's or 40's.