FoundLocally Blog for Web Marketing, SEO, and FoundLocally Directory listings

Recent Improvements for Managing Listings

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:54:12 0000

We have done several improvements on the FoundLocally listings, that have made the site work faster, and reduced the steps to accomplish common tasks.

We have sped up the login, improved the "Welcome" screen and made it easier to add/update listings witha new "Administrator Action" menu.

FoundLocally launches �Phase One� of improved TransCanadaHighway.com travel website

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:00:45 0000

FoundLocally.com Media Inc. has just released “Phase One” of a new version of their popular TransCanadaHighway.com website. TranscanadaHighway.com is a nine year old website which documents many details of travel along Canada’s 7,821 km (4,860 mi.) long national highway, which connects St John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador with Victoria, British Columbia.

Many new features and improvements were added in this release.

Social Media: what every Business Person / Manager needs to know.

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:22:06 0000

There has been much hyped about Social Media tools, like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Linked-in (and don’t forget, that FoundLocally incorporates many Social Media elements, too). How much is "hype" by those that have “already drunk the Kool-Aid” (a reference to cult followers of Reverend Jim Jones, and their mass suicide-by-Kool-Aid on his orders) and how much of it is a real benefit for the average business?

FoundLocally prides itself on having been able to expand geographically, and add services based on traffic and advertising growth generated by “organic” search engine traffic (based on extensive solid local content) and repeat visitors, rather than using more expensive pay-per-click or much more expensive traditional media advertising. We figure there are some lessons learned worth sharing. And who wouldn’t like to grow website traffic to a million visitors each month without paying for advertising?

The questions everyone keep asking is, how can I use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to buil my business (or sales, membership, attendance, or other success measure), without becoming so distracted from my real bread-and-butter business?

Some of our Favourite SEO Tools and Websites

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:25:07 0000

We've found a couple of sites and software tools we find indispensible for a web marketer. Some are tools that a professional web marketer might use, while some are “quickies” that give a business owner/manager an quick advantage, without a steep learning curve or large investment of time.

Using Google's Desktop tools to help with reputation management on Twitter

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:40:40 0000

Tired of having to log into all those Social Networking sites just to see what people are saying about your company? Keeping an eye on the online world is getting to be a lot of work, not to mention a drag on computer screen real estate.

I've actually considered getting a THIRD monitor just to keep an eye on social networking sites. I've found a way to use the Google Desktop to "lurk" on Twitter and see what people are saying about you.

Will Google's Caffeine search change SEO practices?

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:46:50 0000

This new version of Google has been in testing since early August, and is getting a lot of buzz, presumably as Google's reaction to the recent Microsoft Bing - Yahoo deal (that's the way MSNBC spins it). I suspect this update has been in the works for much longer than that. But how good is it really? And should you care?

Scams that try (but fail) to get a free listing

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:16:42 0000

We see, surprisingly regularly a number of businesses that appear to be scams, trying to use our site to reach an online audience. Over the years, we’ve learned to appreciate honest disclosure by businesses about the products or services they are selling, and have developed a keen eye for signs of “scams”. We figure, sometimes, simple inattention in writing the listing description may cast some doubt on a listing’s legitimacy, so we send an email requesting clarification. When we get no response within a week, these listings are quickly deleted from our Human Review Queue (and with customer service like that, who wants to do business with them?). The public never sees these listing attempts, which ensures the quality of our site’s businesses directory.

The business listings that typically fail to make it into the FoundLocally directory include pyramid schemes, work from home schemes, and over-aggressive multi-level marketers.

Canwest closes 2 western Canadian TV stations, sells two others

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:00:25 0000

Winnipeg-based Canwest Global said it will close CHEK-TV in Victoria and CHCA-TV in Red Deer, Alta., by the end of next month. It will also rebrand CHBC-TV of Kelowna, B.C. into an affiliate station of Canwest's Global network. Last month, Canwest agreed to sell two stations in Montreal and Hamilton for an undisclosed sum to specialty TV operator Channel Zero Inc.

This follows a months-long campaign to get the CRTC to force calbe operators to pay a "fee for carriage" for their publicly-available broadcast signals, obstensibly to support local broadcast stations. This network tanturm had ended in a ruling where cable operators and broacasters have a year to find a suitable mechanism to do this.

Let's hope that the cable companies use this to show the CTRC regulators that the networks never meant to save local TV stations, but needed to find another source of cashflow to stem losses from massive amounts of debt incurreed to fund corporate media take-overs in past years. Let's not let the network moguls use this as an opportunity to skewer (te nice word) the Canadian public.

Web marketing for Home Improvement and Repair businesses on FoundLocally

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:21:10 0000

Get the highest online visibility for home improvement and repair businesses using the FoundLocally.com free listings.

Home improvement and repair can promote themselves and their expertise using FoundLocally directory, even if you:

Run their business from a cell phone (making you ineligible for a Yellow Page ™ listing),
Work from a home office (and don’t want to publish the address)
Are either an incorporated or are an unincorporated business or individual.
Have or don’t have a website. While having one is helpful, it’s not a requirement to be on FoundLocally. Many find their FoundLocally listing is all they would have said on a website, anyway, so think of all the time and money you'll save!

FoundLocally can raise your visibility, attract clients for home improvement or renovation services, and build your brand precisely where and when shoppers are doing their online research.

Web marketing for First Nations on FoundLocally

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:37:14 0000

Get the highest online visibility for First Nations, and their Economic Development Offices and Visitor Bureaus and band-owned businesses using the FoundLocally.com free listings. Your goal is to create the highest traffic and visibility for your First Nation and its members to increase economic opportunities.

Note: FoundLocally recognizes the status and roles of First Nations can be a combination of federal, provincial, and municipal governments, so we have always had several distinct First Nations categories in our Government and Public Service categories.

FoundLocally is a great way for First Nations to raise their own visibility, not just by adding themselves to the high-traffic community directory, but by posting news, jobs, events, and savings to increase the number of pages on their FoundLocally listing, and therefore the number of link-backs to their website. This is especially handy for those hosting events and festivals, or those taking a lead in community business advocacy.

Web marketing for Government Departments and Facilities on FoundLocally

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:32:13 0000

Governments have an obligation to ensure public assets are put to the use of the widest range of residents and taxpayers. Managers and Politicians also have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure public funds are spent wisely, and to look for prudent cost-saving methods for promotion and building awareness.

FoundLocally has categories in the Public Service categories for all levels of governments (from federal to municipal) including departments, agencies, crown corporations as well as elected politicians & candidates. Especially welcome are municipal swimming pool, ice arena, waste / recycling, and library facilities.

We have special web marketing tips for First Nations on our blog

Web marketing for Senior Care Providers and Facilities on FoundLocally

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:15:08 0000

There are two reasons for senior care providers to be on FoundLocally: 1) if you are trying to build your business, your marketing needs to be aggressive, yet cost-effective, and 2) so potential clients (or their caring relatives) can find you easily (very important if you do not have a website). This is why senior care providers and facilities need to be on FoundLocally.

FoundLocally is a great way for senior care providers and facilities to raise their own visibility, not just by adding themselves to our high-traffic community directory, but by affordably (and, in FoundLocally’s case, free!) posting news, jobs, events, and savings to increase the number of pages on their FoundLocally listing, gaining both greater visibility while saving ever-lager amounts of money otherwise spent on advertising in other media.

Web marketing for Healthcare: Doctors, Dentists, Clinics and Hospitals on FoundLocally

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:10:10 0000

There are two reasons for Healthcare providers to be on FoundLocally: 1) if you are trying to build your medical practice, your marketing needs to be aggressive, yet cost-effective, and 2) so existing clients can find your contact info online (even if you do not have a website). This is why healthcare professionals and facilities especially need to be on FoundLocally.

FoundLocally’s healthcare directory includes medical doctors (the “traditional” category), dental care, counselling services (distinct from product sales), as well as non-traditional practices. The TIPS section will cover affiliated categories typical of some healthcare providers.

FoundLocally is a great way for health care professionals and facilities to raise their own visibility, not just by adding themselves to our high-traffic community directory, but by posting news, jobs, events, and savings to increase the number of pages on their FoundLocally listing, gaining both greater visibility while saving ever-lager amounts of money otherwise spent on advertising in other media.

Ways to use the FoundLocally RSS Feeds

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:40:12 0000

These are accessed from the light blue tabs across the top of the website. Click on the orange RSS logo on the page, or select a specific ‘stream’ or sub-set for more specific information. RSS feeds are displayed in a browser-friendly format (great for small screen sell-phones or PDAs!). Each listing in the RSS feed has a summary overview and a clickable link to the original posting on FoundLocally for further exploration.

To subscribe to the displayed RSS Feed, select “Subscribe to this feed” using your RSS software or your browser. These are then included in your RSS panel in your reader or browser, along with any other feeds you have subscribed to. You can unsubscribe in your reader or browser’s RSS pane at any time.

Web marketing for Economic Development Offices and Visitor Bureaus on FoundLocally

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:38:39 0000

Get the highest online visibility for Economic Development Offices and Visitor Bureaus and YOUR MEMBERS using the FoundLocally.com free listings. Your goal is to create the highest traffic and visibility for members and community businesses, and needs to promote not only the organization but the various stores and services that create economic opportunity in the community.

FoundLocally is a great way for communities and business districts to raise their own visibility, not just by adding themselves to the high-traffic community directory, but by posting news, jobs, events, and savings to increase the number of pages on their FoundLocally listing, and therefore the number of link-backs to their website. This is especially handy for those hosting events and festivals, or those taking a lead in community business advocacy.

This approach is very effective for SEO (search engine optimization): the more pages on FoundLocally the more link-backs you have, and the higher your ranking and findability! Many Economic Development and Tourism Offices overlook the business opportunity for member businesses, who SHOULD ALSO increase their online footprint by participating in as many directories as possible (and especially the free ones!) With a little bit of effort, they can enhance their online marketing to support their operations: posting jobs, promoting events, promoting sales, discounts and coupons, posting news announcements. Help your member businesses reach an ever-increasing online customer base, save money [on traditional media], increase revenues and become more profitable,

FoundLocally provides additional opportunities for editorial promotion of your communities."

Web Marketing for Musicians, Performing Arts Groups, Authors (often travelling)

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 19:25:19 0000

Musicians, Performing Arts Groups, Authors have two objectives:

1) to drive traffic to their web site where they can provide fans more information, as well as sell records, books, and parapharnalia, and

2) to promote their appearances (gigs, performances, or readings) in or away from their home community, moving fans to a venue, ticket-buying, or RSVP website so fans can attend events in their own community.

FoundLocally lets performers, groups and authors create a listing in their home comunity, where they can post news and other updates, but enables them to post events to other FoundLocally sites , where it is included in the local events calendar. The clone feature makes it easy to post a tour, by creating one listing with description, web links and categories and chaning only the date & location as required.

FoundLocally.com Media releases a new MovingInCanada.com website

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 15:12:05 0000

June 2, 2009 FoundLocally.com Media Inc has released a new http://MovingInCanada.com web site, which already attracts over 50,000 unique visitors a month. The site has expanded and improved community information about hundreds of communities and thousands of neighbourhoods across Canada. Information is integrated with Google’s maps and relevant Realtor.ca* MLS* listings. The site also provides powerful search tools to find local realtors, builders, and movers, accessing the thousands of businesses and individuals that have added themselves to FoundLocally.com’s free directory, but keeping users close to MovingInCanada.com’s local real estate and community information.

Web marketing for Politicians and Political Parties

Sun, 17 May 2009 17:29:52 0000

Get the highest online visibility for Politicians, Candidates, and Political parties using the FoundLocally.com free listings. Gain traction & visibility for greater momentum for when an election is called.

FoundLocally is a great way for political parties, riding associations, elected politicians and candidates to raise their own visibility, not just by adding themselves to our high-traffic community directory, but by posting news, jobs (and, volunteer opportunities, too!), as well as events to increase the number of pages on their FoundLocally listing, and therefore the number of link-backs to their website.

This approach is very effective for SEO (search engine optimization): the more pages on FoundLocally the more link-backs you have, and the higher your ranking and findability! Many political groups overlook the opportunities online to not only extend reach, but do so economically and to extend tight campaign budgets by increasing their online footprint by participating in as many directories as possible (and especially the free ones, like FoundLocally.com!) With a little bit of effort, they can enhance their online marketing to support their operations: posting jobs, promoting events, promoting sales, discounts and coupons, posting news announcements.

We also can provide access for provincial or federal groups to quickly post News items to all their listings on FoundLocally with just a few mouse clicks, providing consistency, an unfiltered message (no reporters to botch it up!), time-savings in a busy campaign, and a significantly greater reach

Web Marketing for Chains and Franchises on FoundLocally

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 10:27:22 0000

Chain and franchise organizations are successful because they combine the power of a strong brand with the economies of scale of an ever-growing organization. Individuals joining a franchise organization to leverage their capital with the systems, processes, and standardization that has already proven both successful with customers—and profitable for owners. FoundLocally has developed a number of powerful tools that make internet marketing and business promotion a breeze and very cost-effective (ie free!)

Also, unlike other business directories and directory websites, your FoundLocally listing also lets you post jobs (from customer service up to management), news, events, and savings (coupons, sales or discounts). Each of these features might cost you hundreds of dollars a year using some other publication, media or online venue. All included for free with your FoundLocally.com business listing.

Web Marketing for Restaurants, Lounges, Pubs and Nightclubs on FoundLocally

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:04:57 0000

Restaurants can easily spend thousands of dollars a month in various print directories and magazines (especially the hotel-room travel variety), though consumers are rapidly moving to using online resources to find, evaluate and select their dining options.

Food and beverage establishments can not only raise their online "footprint" but gain operational efficiencies and save on costs by taking advantage of online ways to post jobs, events, news and coupons/discounts compared to traditional ways of promotion. These features are all free with your FoundLocally directory listing.

Web marketing for Golf Courses on FoundLocally

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:08:25 0000

Get the highest online visibility for Golf Courses using the FoundLocally.com free listings.

Golf courses offer a wide range of goods and serbivces intheir communities. They are a facility for playing golf (sometimes public, sometimes not, or semi-private with a mix), they have golf professionals offering lessons, have pro shops selling a variety of golf equipment, clothing and consumables, providing knowledgable advice hard to find at some other sport goods retailers. Most courses also have food and beverage operations, catering services for weddings, gatherings & business meetings, Some courses have other fitness facilities and services like massages, mini-golf, swimming, racquet sports that broaden their appeal to members and the public. Most courses host a variety of tournaments and fundraisers, attracting traffic and participants not usually playing at your course. All of these elements can be marketed to members of your community using FoundLocally!

Is the Broadcast Business Model Broken?

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 19:21:39 0000

Recently executives from CTV GlobeMedia and Canwest appeared before the CRTC (Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission) to appeal for revenues from cable and satellite operators across Canada or more accurately, their subscribers, like you and me), in order to make their organizations more viable, citing the "Broadcast Business Model is broken".

Web marketing for Industry Groups and Professional Associations

Sun, 5 Apr 2009 17:07:58 0000

Get the highest online visibility for Industry Groups and Associations and YOUR MEMBERS using the FoundLocally.com free listings.

FoundLocally is a great way for business groups and professional associations to raise their own visibility, not just by adding themselves to the high-traffic community directory, but by posting news, jobs, events, and savings to increase the number of pages on their FoundLocally listing, and therefore the number of link-backs to their website. This is especially handy for those hosting events & trade shows, or those taking a lead in industry advocacy.

This approach is very effective for SEO (search engine optimization): the more pages on FoundLocally the more link-backs you have, and the higher your ranking and findability! Many Industry Groups overlook the business opportunity for member businesses, who SHOULD ALSO increase their online footprint by participating in as many directories as possible (and especially the free ones!) With a little bit of effort, they can enhance their online marketing to support their operations: posting jobs, promoting events, promoting sales, discounts and coupons, posting news announcements. Help your member businesses reach an ever-increasing online customer base, save money [on traditional media], increase revenues and become more profitable,

Web marketing for BRZs, BIAs and Shopping Malls on FoundLocally.

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:49:12 0000

Get the highest online visibility for Business Revitalization Zones (BRZs) or Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and YOUR MEMBERS using the FoundLocally.com free listings. Shopping Mall Management also works to create the highest traffic & visibility for their tennants, and needs to promote not only the Mall but the various stores and services that draw in traffic.

FoundLocally is a great way for business districts to raise their own visibility, not just by adding themselves to the high-traffic community directory, but by posting news, jobs, events, and savings to increase the number of pages on their FoundLocally listing, and therefore the number of link-backs to their website. This is especially handy for those hosting events & festivals, or those taking a lead in community business advocacy.

BIAs, BRZs, and SHOPPING MALL MANAGERS, should also review our time-saving web marketing recommendations for chain & franchise organizations.

This approach is very effective for SEO (search engine optimization): the more pages on FoundLocally the more link-backs you have, and the higher your ranking and findability! Many BRZs and BIAs overlook the business opportunity for member businesses, who SHOULD ALSO increase their online footprint by participating in as many directories as possible (and especially the free ones!) With a little bit of effort, they can enhance their online marketing to support their operations: posting jobs, promoting events, promoting sales, discounts and coupons, posting news announcements. Help your member businesses reach an ever-increasing online customer base, save money [on traditional media], increase revenues and become more profitable,

Changing the City of a Listing in FoundLocally

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 10:47:29 0000

When a business is sold, or if the owner moves, it is sometimes necessary to move a listing from one FoundLocally site to another (not just a community or neighbourhood within a FoundLocally site). This does not happen very often, so we don't have an automated process, but we have a work-around to handle this situation.