Adding a directory list to a WP site?

[Tailslide]

Hi all

I have a client with a WP site who would like to add a directory of various firms in the area to her site which would need to be searchable and ordered by type of firm.

Any suggestions about the best way handle this?

I could just build a separate database-driven page using the same theme - but I'd prefer the whole thing to be searchable using the normal WP search engine (which I'm guessing it wouldn't be if I use another db).

Thanks in advance.

[Mittineague]

Many WordPress plugins (bad behavior comes to mind) add tables to the WordPress database. Are you sure you need to use a unique database?

[Tailslide]

No not really - I've just previously managed to use existing WP functions to get what I need, I've just never had to add something like this before and I've never had to tweak any core functions etc to add new stuff.

I'd sort of either thought of using the existing setup or a completely new one. If you think that adding functionality within WP itself is the best option then I'll aim down that route.