Some independents and agencies require business info, sometimes even requiring a URL. Even before the economy tanked big time, some companies and sectors had already contracted or downsized. Some people ended up being hired back as consultants or consulting to other competing companies. This question is, in particular, about high tech consultants, using, say, nuclear reactor core insulation expert as an example.

You have no business URL because you're already known in the field and the jobs come through networking, not advertising what you do.

You can't really provide a business phone because your work is often proprietary or confidential,  maybe even exclusive (from working for competing companies), you're not in the company directory and you're not even working on site most of the time. To everyone but the local workgroup (and accounting), you're unknown.

And it's not like - no offense to web designers, landscapers or others with a 'public' product - someone can't call up and ask "Does Mr. Imp work there? I'm thinking of having him apply some insulation to my jacuzzi, which is sort of like a nuclear reactor. How would you rate their work?" If someone starts calling with seemingly innocent inquiries about employment or performance, people become suspicious or concerned about your trust worthiness or reliability.

What do the self-employed in this situation do? As high tech continues to stagnate and shrink, I think that there are probably an increasing number of people in this situation. The obvious answer is "look elsewhere" but I wonder if some of those independents or agencies will ever accept provider referrals only and loosen up the business info requirement.  

Just wondering ...

happens when you apply for a loan?  Who does the finance company or mortgage company call to verify employment?