business directories

Implementing a well designed and effective local business directory system can provide a number of advantages for local economic and community development.

At the municipal level, local government officers have access to a powerful, dynamic research and communication tool which assists in the delivery of programs and initiatives. Business directories also provide a wealth of business and demographic information not typically available from commercial or (even) proprietary mailing lists.

Having accurate contact details for local businesses not only improves the ability to communicate with businesses but also delivers time & cost savings by reducing returned mail, improving targetted delivery of information, etc.

5 Good Reasons To Have A Local Business Directory

1. Keep control... easily

Let your businesses keep their own details constantly up to date with their own unique username and password.  Even if they have forgotten their login details you can quickly and easily retrieve them.

2. Stay informed

Let your businesses sign up to your very own 'Online Business eBulletin' and keep them up to date with information on new programs, business initiatives and opportunities in your area.  

3. A comprehensive business profile

Compared to other directories,  business profiles on the CommonGround Business Directory provides a unique opportunity to easily communicate a wealth of useful amount of information about businesses, their products and services... all in one place!  (To give their  entry more prominence, your businesses can even add an image or logo with a few simple clicks.)

4. Measure performance

Business can visit their profile online and quickly determine  the number of times their entry has been viewed on the directory as well as the number of visitors who clicked on their profile entry for more information.

5. Give your community a free service

As well as providing great features and benefits for local businesses, the cost effectiveness of the solution makes it viable for you to deliver your business directory as a FREE service!

Through the implementation of a CommonGround business directory, businesses are also assisted by:

• taking an active role in the management and maintenance of their own information
• gaining access to targetted business development information and opportunities
• conducting transactions (eg, event bookings) through a streamlined integrated system

To local businesses, an externally accessible online directory provides direct and cost effective benefits through promotion at the local and global level.

Local business directories can also act as starting points for building simple tools to assist with business to business (B2B) efforts.  ranging from providing access to the specialised services such as skills and competencies matching, target market identification through to networking and collaboration tools such as discussion boards and, reverse-bid auction services.

Finally, to consumers a publicly accessible directory provides comprehensive and targetted information on resources and services available locally and assists with providing a sense of community – Live locally. Shop locally!