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Refresh a local business directory with Octoparse

Use this workflow when a team needs a current, structured list of publicly listed businesses in a location, category, or industry. Octoparse can collect the selected fields on a recurring schedule and deliver the output to Google Sheets for filtering, review, or a downstream process. This is a data-refresh workflow. It starts with a defined public source and a clear field list, not with a promise to collect every contact detail from every business.

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What this workflow helps you do

  • Build a repeatable list from a public map, directory, search result, or other public listing source.
  • Collect fields such as business name, category, address, website, phone number, rating, review count, and source URL when available.
  • Refresh the list weekly or at another appropriate cadence.
  • Keep the source, date, and quality checks visible so records can be reviewed before use.
Use this workflow only for data you are permitted to collect and use. Consider the target site’s terms, applicable privacy and marketing rules, and your own suppression or opt-out processes before using records for outreach.

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Define the list before collecting data

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Build the workflow

1

Choose a source and a template

Search the template library for the selected map, directory, or website. Review the available fields and inputs before creating a task.
2

Configure the collection scope

Enter the required keywords, locations, category URLs, or other template inputs. Keep the first run small enough to validate the source and output.
3

Validate fields and record quality

Run a sample. Check that business names, websites, addresses, and source URLs correspond to the listing pages, and decide how you will identify duplicate or incomplete records.
4

Schedule the refresh

After the task is stable, create a schedule that matches the business need. Review the early runs before relying on the list for a recurring process.
5

Deliver and review the output

Use Google Sheets data sync for recurring delivery. Keep raw synchronized records separate from the tabs used for deduplication, qualification, or routing.

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Follow the detailed tutorial

How to scrape business information from Google Maps or Yellow Pages

Follow the Help Center tutorial for the click-by-click setup of a public business-data task, including templates and field extraction.

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Suggested output design

Every record should retain enough context to be checked later.
Separate discovery, qualification, and outreach. A public directory record can be useful for research or enrichment even when it is not suitable for direct contact.

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When this workflow needs adjustment

Use a different template or customize the task when:
  • The source requires fields that are not included in the template.
  • The same business appears under several names, locations, or listing URLs.
  • The workflow needs to visit business websites after directory discovery.
  • The output needs special normalization or an additional review step before it is used.
Do not assume public availability removes compliance obligations. Verify that the source, the fields, and the intended use are appropriate before exporting records to a sales or marketing workflow.

Templates

Review prebuilt workflows and their required inputs.

Schedules

Refresh a stable task at a defined cadence.

Google Sheets data sync

Keep raw directory output updated in a shared sheet.

Lead generation with web scraping

Learn about source selection, field design, data quality, and compliance.