Many tools promise a "no-code" way to scrape directories, but you often find yourself trapped in APIs or complex point-and-click interfaces that are just CSS selectors wrapped in a mediocre UI.
The Problem: They all market simplicity but deliver a coding lesson.
This guide is different: we are going to show you a true no-code method to scrape any directory. When we say no-code, we mean it.
We can even promise that by using Datablist to scrape directories:
↳ You won't be configuring APIs or inspecting website elements.
↳ ↳ You'll just be telling an AI what you want in plain English (prompting).
↳ ↳ ↳ That’s it.
📌 Summary For Those In a Rush
This article shows how to scrape any directory without tech headaches using AI Scraping. Here is a summary:
Problem: Most web scraping tools claim to be "no-code" but still require you to work with APIs or understand website elements, resulting in tech-headaches served differently.
Why it's a problem: If you're looking for a truly simple solution to scrape directories, you shouldn't need technical know-how or spend hours watching bad tutorials.
Solution: Using Datablist's AI Agent, where you simply describe what data you want in plain English and scrape any directory you want in minutes.
What You'll Learn: This guide covers a 5-step process to scrape any directory, explains how to write effective prompts, shows why Datablist is the best option, and answers common questions about directory scraping.
Why Use Datablist: 3 simple reasons
Truly no-code, just describe what you need in plain English
Affordable pricing starting at $25/month with flexible credit top-ups
Access to 60+ lead generation tools in one platform
Additionally, Datablist allows you to build automated workflows that run on schedule or demand. Here are a few practical use cases that Datablist users love:
I think the point is clear: if you need to get, clean, or automate workflows with data involved and you need it to be easy, fast, and reliable, Datablist is the place to go.
💡 Datablist Summarized in 35 Words
Datablist is a platform for automating lead generation workflows, which offers a suite of over 60 tools, including AI Agents, Waterfall Enrichment to find emails and phone numbers, data cleaning tools for deduplication, and more.
Scraping Any Directory: The 5 Step Process
When I earlier said that Datablist is easy to use, I really meant that. The process is so easy, it takes just 5 steps, or put simply: a few clicks. Before we start, though, make sure that you:
Have the URL of the directory you want to scrape
Know what information you want to extract from the listings
Let's go!
The following section will guide you through the entire scraping process. If you encounter any issues or want help with something else, feel free to reach out to us
Scraping directories with Datablist, empty collection
Scroll down and select AI Agent - Site Scraper
Scraping directories with Datablist, sources
Now, you should see this interface. This is where you can configure your scraping task
AI Agent - Site Scraper
Step 3: Writing Your Prompt
This is where the magic happens, well, actually, it's not magic. You'll just describe what you want. If you're in a rush, below is a template where you can just fill in your variables.
AI Scraping > Traditional no-code scraping
Goal: I want to extract information from [Directory Name]
====
What I want you to do: Visit the [Directory Name] URL I am going to give you and extract the relevant information.
## Information I want you to extract:
- [Information 1]
- [Information 2]
- [Information 3]
- [Information 4]
- [Add more as needed]
====
## Instructions
- If not specified otherwise, the pagination is done using the "?page=X" url parameter
- In the case you don't find an information, keep the field empty.
- Important: Do not extract anything else but the requested information.
💡 Example: Scraping a Real Estate Directory
Let's say you want to scrape properties from a real estate directory. Here's how you'd fill in the template:
Goal: I want to extract information from a real estate directory
====
What I want you to do: Visit the real estate directory URL I am going to give you and extract the relevant information.
##Information I want you to extract:
- Property address
- Price
- Number of bedrooms
- Number of bathrooms
- Square footage
##Instructions
- If not specified otherwise, the pagination is done using the "?page=X" url parameter
- In the case you don't find an information, keep the field empty.
- Important: Do not extract anything else but the requested information.
This tells the AI exactly what to look for, and it will find this information regardless of how the website is structured.
Step 4: Configuring Settings
Paste your directory URL in the first field
Scraping directories with Datablist, URL
Paste your customized prompt in the prompt field
Scraping directories with Datablist, prompt
Enable Pagination and select the number of pages you want to scrape
Scraping directories with Datablist, pagination
(Most directories paginate results, so if you want 500 listings and each page has 20 listings, you'll need to scrape 25 pages)
Now you have to configure your output fields. Here’s how:
Name the Output Property
Write an Output Description using this pattern: {requested data}, if found, otherwise empty.
Choose the Output Type (text, number, email, URL, etc.)
Click on ⊕ More for each data point you requested in the prompt
Scraping directories with Datablist, outputs configuration
Once you have configured all the output fields for the information you requested:
Check the box next to Advanced Settings
Enable Website Scraper Option: Render HTML
Click on Continue
Scraping directories with Datablist, advanced settings
Step 5: Selecting Outputs
Datablist will create all properties automatically based on the output fields you set
All you have to do is click Run Import Now to start scraping
Scraping directories with Datablist, last step
After a few minutes, your results will be ready with all the information you requested.
📘 Tips for Writing Better Prompts
Be specific: Instead of "contact info," write "phone number" and "email address" separately
Use examples: If the directory has unique data formats, include an example in your prompt
Handle missing data: Tell the AI what to do when information isn't available (e.g., "return N/A")
One piece per field: Ask for one piece of information per line, don't combine multiple data points
Why Datablist Is the Best Option to Scrape Directories
When you compare the options you have to scrape directories, it becomes clear that not all "no-code" tools are created equal. Datablist was built from the ground up to eliminate the technical friction that other platforms still have. Here's the evidence:
Price Advantage
Starting price: Just $25/month; one of the most accessible yet powerful scraping solutions on the market
Flexible credit system: Run out of monthly free credits? Simply purchase a one-time credit package instead of upgrading your entire plan.
Additionally, with Datablist, you won't have any pushy salespeople "checking in"
Accessible for everyone
Ease of Use
User friendliness is very important and probably the thing Datablist is the best at.
With our AI Agent, you don't need to:
Understand APIs
Read documentation
Point-and-click on confusing website elements
Use pre-made templates (though we have them if you want)
You simply describe what you want in plain English. The AI understands context and finds the information you need, even if every directory structures its data differently. If you want to scrape a different piece of information tomorrow, you just modify your prompt.
Easier than trying shoes
Lead Generation Ecosystem
Scraping data is usually just the first step. The most important thing is what you do with the data afterward, and with Datablist, you get much more than just a directory scraper; it provides an entire ecosystem with over 60 tools to support your lead generation efforts
Once you scraped a list your list from a directory, you can immediately use other Datablist tools, including:
Waterfall Email Finders: Find verified email addresses for your prospects.
Mobile Phone Number Enrichments: Get direct mobile numbers for cold calling campaigns.
LinkedIn Scraper: Gather professional data from LinkedIn profiles.
Sales Navigator Scraper: Extract highly targeted leads from Sales Navigator without risking your account
AI Agents: Automate research and data collection from any website.
Instagram Scraper: Collect data from Instagram profiles for social outreach.
It’s worth trying
The Bottom Line: Scraping Directories Should Be Easy
Scraping listings from directories shouldn't be a project you have to "set up" or "figure out." It should be a simple, fast task that gives you the data you need to grow your business.
Unlike tools that require APIs or technical configuration, the only thing you have to do with Datablist's AI Agent is describe what you want in plain English, paste your URL, and start the process.
You get a clean, structured list of leads in minutes, not hours, allowing you to focus on what really matters: Making money.
Before I forget, if you don’t want to prompt, we also have ready-to-use templates for:
P.S. Use Datablist, it's easier than tying your shoes.
Facts are facts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Scraping Directories
How Much Does It Cost to Scrape a Directory?
The cost depends on the tool you use. Since you get 5,000 free credits for each month you're subscribed to Datablist, you can start scraping for as little as $25/month. The AI Agent, like all other tools in Datablist, runs on credits and is usage-based. The exact number of credits depends on the complexity of the directory and how many pages you scrape.
How Can I Scrape a Directory?
The easiest way to scrape any directory is to use a no-code tool like Datablist's AI Agent. Simply describe what information you want to extract in plain English, provide the directory URL, and the AI will handle the rest. You don't need any code, API knowledge, or technical know-how.
Is It Legal to Scrape Directories?
Scraping publicly available data from directories is generally considered legal. However, it's important to respect the website's terms of service and use the data ethically and responsibly, primarily for lead generation or market research.
What Kind of Data Can I Get From Directories?
You can scrape virtually any publicly visible information from directory listings, including:
Business names and descriptions
Contact information (phone, email, website)
Addresses and locations
Ratings and reviews
Categories and tags
Images and logos
Operating hours
Pricing information
Do I Need to Know How to Code to Scrape a Directory?
No, you don't need any coding knowledge to scrape directories with Datablist. The entire process uses plain English prompts. If you can describe what you want in a sentence, you can scrape it.
