How do I Start a City Business Directory Web Page Service?
City business directories have been around for years, traditionally in the form of a pamphlet, booklet or newsletter. Nowadays online business directories are becoming more commonplace as consumers demand more convenient and eco-friendly ways to find local establishments. Starting a city business directory web page can earn you extra income and it can be run from home. Little knowledge of web design is needed to open a business directory.
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Instructions
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Focus on a niche for your directory, such as minority-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, eco-friendly businesses, wholesale distributors or kid's businesses. Specializing will allow you to reach a targeted audience, and save you the trouble of trying to market a directory to everyone.
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Purchase a domain name from a registrar such as Go Daddy. A domain will allow people to visit your directory without having to enter or remember a long URL.
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Buy hosting space for your directory from a company such as 1And1. You will have to pay a monthly fee for hosting that usually ranges between $4 and $10. Alternatively, use a blogging platform, such as Wordpress for your directory.
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Select software, such as eSyndiCat, eDirectory or Directory Press, to use for your directory. The software should allow for user accounts so that your clients can enter and edit their own information. Installation information will come with your chosen software.
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Set listing prices for your directory. You can offer tiered, monthly, quarterly or yearly listings. For instance, monthly listings can cost $15 and quarterly listings can be $50, which provides a $10 savings and gives clients an incentive to pay for a longer listing.
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Promote your directory to businesses. Give listing discounts to members of your local Chamber of Commerce, join a business association in your city or sponsor a business development workshop in your area.
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Encourage consumers to use the directory -- this is essential to bring traffic to your website and will provide incentive for businesses to work with you. Start a promotional blog, buy ads on niche websites and forums frequented by your target audience or place an ad in your local newspaper.
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