Let Us Submit your Local Business &
Mobile Site Everywhere It Counts!
Local Search, Yellow Page, Cell Phone Directories, Social Networks, In-Car GPS Navigation, Portals and Local Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is your service?
Our service allows you to enter your critical business and mobile information one time and have it posted to the majority of major Online Yellow Pages, Search Engines, industry directories, mobile phone directories and 411 directory assistance.
- Many sites allow me to load my information for free, so why do I have to pay?
There are numerous directory sites and databases we handle and the process can take many hours. If you have the free time, you might consider the do-it-yourself approach. Keep in mind that many important databases such as 411 Directory Assistance, Mobile phones and GPS Navigation devices have no way at all for end-users to submit data. We have set our price low enough that even a small business can afford the efficient and effective service. We also manually load your information when required, if a directory will not take it electronically.
- What Search Engines and Directories receive the data?
We submit your business profiles and mobile site info to all the major Search Engines and Directories, such as Google, Yahoo, Bing, Superpages, FourSquare and Yellowpages.com. We also add 411 Directory Assistance and GPS navigation devices as well as OnStar. Our list is constantly expanding as we add additional distribution, but you can view a current Mobile Site and Local Submission List
here.
- Can I control where the listings go?
It is is NOT possible to deselect specific sites. Instead, we make your data freely available to all legitimate Search Engines and Directories in order for the business listings or Mobile Site to be universally distributed.
- What will happen if I have already claimed a listing before you submit?
If there are data matches (duplicate submissions), it is to be expected. Publishers see identical data coming from other reliable sources as having more value. Publishers generally give precedence to information verified directly by a business owner, so if you are claiming listings, you should make sure it is kept up to date. In other words... we will handle hundreds of submissions for you, from which you should eventually CLAIM and personally manage a hand-full yourself (ie: Google "Places," Bing, Yahoo, CitySearch, Yelp, Facebook etc). Working in tandem, you'll get the greatest coverage across the internet, the mobile web, and within our other distribution networks.
- How soon will my information start appearing?
The majority of listing will be seen within 30 to 90 days. Some directories will update your information within days or weeks, but others do not refresh their data for a month or two. We cannot control that, but we can assure you we will make the data available to the publishers and database vendors within 7 to 10 business days.
- Will the directories use all of the data I send?
No, but it varies across the networks and sites. Some only publish bare minimum data such as phone number and address, but increasingly they will publish the enhanced data you provide.
- Are there limits on length of descriptions and what can go in them?
Google is the benchmark and they permit 200 characters (including the spaces) for descriptions. Anything longer than that often gets cut off. This must be plain text, no special characters like trademark signs, and no HTML code or links. Preferably this should be a clear description of what your business does and not advertising content. Keywords are important, so write a text description that is rich in keyword phrases associated with your business.
- How do you handle photos and videos, and what formats can they be?
In order to distribute photos and videos effectively we send these as links to existing images that you are responsible for maintaining. The advantage is that if you keep the same file name, you do not have to resubmit a changed logo or photo. Publishers may display the photos in their pages. We use Google as a benchmark for format: - Each photo must be smaller than 1MB.
- Each photo must be under 1024 x 1024 pixels.
- Photos must be in one of these formats: JPG, GIF, PNG, TIFF, BMP
- Will old listings be removed or updated?
Sometimes, but we cannot guarantee that a database will be able to match an enhanced listing like this to their existing data, but we will provide every piece of information to ensure they can do so if at all possible. This includes a date stamp so they know that the information came directly from the business and is most likely fresher than their standard data sources.
- Who will see this data and how can I be assured of my privacy?
You should ONLY provide information that you want the public to have in order to contact you. We will not share this information directly with marketers or non-directory entities, but you should assume that all submitted information will be read online and used for this purpose. Of course your credit card payment information will be held securely and not made public.
- How often can I make changes?
As often as you wish by emailing us directly (LocalBizSubmit (at) Gmail.com). Remember however, that the directories will not update the information very regularly (expect a delay). This is not a venue for promoting “weekly specials” or other data that changes frequently. You may be able to do that via Coupon Links or other links; this update method is primarily for basic business facts such as name, address and telephone number.
- Why is there a renewal fee?
Many directories and data providers require re-listing the data annually, so we have to repeat at least part of the process. Some directories remove listings if they are not actively updated – it also helps keep data about your business or mobile site fresh and accurate.
- What if I do not renew?
If you do not renew, your record will be removed from, our "active" file that we provide to the directories. Different sites and distribution partners will treat deactivated listings in different ways according to their policies. Some may keep the listings active and some may delete the record, and this is beyond our control. We will not actively ask the publishers to remove your listing unless you ask us to (if the business is closed or relocated, for example.)
- Can I request a deletion?
Yes. You may request a deletion of a listing that may be for a closed business or branch. We will send the request to the data vendors.
- What is your return policy?
No refunds. All sales are final. Unfortunately, we must adhere to a no refund policy because once the date is submitted our work has been done and the results are dependent upon hundreds of sites and services within our network. Fortunately, our fees are very reasonable.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED? |
