How to start.

There are services online that will help you get the online directory started. Places like www.cityguidesite.com will walk you through the process of building a local directory website for your business. This is a large business undertaking so any help getting started is good.

Each business or organization that wants to be featured in this online directory can advertise for a fee. With that fee, they get to manage their own listing on the directory. This includes changing the layout, offering downloadable coupons, and adding pictures. The site can also be used for small businesses to set up online stores. They pay you for the privilege of using the online directory to conduct their business.

Each person that sets up an account with you has unique access to their part of the site. You, as the owner of the online directory, will have access to everything. This allows you to check up on what businesses are doing to head off illegal or immoral activity on you directory.

Start up Costs.

The costs are manageable. They depend on how much you pay someone to use their directory set up service. Everything is conducted online so the costs are minimal. There will be the cost of marketing to interest businesses in being a part of your venture.

Skills needed.

With website services that help you get started, it is not necessary to know a lot about website setup and design. They walk you through that. What you will need is marketing skills to get others interested. Why use your service when they can advertise in the Yellow Pages? In the Internet age, people are more likely to reach for the laptop than the Yellow Pages. Learn to be convincing.

Marketing.

You will have to do some cold calls and pavement pounding. Showing the businesses the benefit of doing business will require a walk-through all the benefits of the site. They may be doing well now, but the business would be better if more people knew about them. For businesses without a website, this is an opportunity to own a piece of cyberspace and do better business.

Any statistics they want can be compiled from data gathered by the service you are using to set up the directory. You can track their stats using the control panel options as the directory owner. A website presence is a boost for business and your directory can provide that for local businesses and community services.
 

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