A Broken Record...
I may sound like a broken record, but in actuality, it's the print Yellow Pages that will eventually become the broken record. While the industry is still healthy and bringing in ungodly amounts of money, it's a medium that's dying out as the new generation of consumers grows up on instant internet access, whether from their laptops, GPS systems, phones, or MP3 players..... It's increasingly important for business owners, like yourself, to be on the web and be able to engage customers old and new alike. At MerchantCircle, unlike other online directories, we offer you a listing that you can claim, upload pictures, build coupons and ads, blog, and send out newsletters to your customers - free of charge. We're happy to announce today, that not only do you have a free web presence that lists you high on search engines, but also gives you easy access to some of the best ways to promote yourself all over the web. It's like a one-stop shop that will proactively make sure you're listed all over the web and have proven, affordable advertising options at your fingertips. Our newest partnership with WebVisible will enhance our proven record of helping you connect with more of your local customers and fellow business neighbors. Sincerely, Kevin Community Relations
Labels: Merchant Circle, MerchantCircle, WebVisible
posted by
MerchantCircle Staff
at
10/23/2007 04:43:00 PM
,
0
comments,
Almost 27 years after the 
Congratulations Jason, from the 
We've written in the past about this wealth of outside critiques, particularly in the realm of business reviews - on 
When it comes down to it - the search engines don't give two cents about you. (10 cents a click - maybe. But you the business owner? No.) You've got to make things happen for you.
Showing up high on search engine results is almost imperative for business growth. Take for instance my experience yesterday. I was calling limo and bus services around the Napa/Sonoma Valley areas and I couldn't find any options left until the 4th page of results on Google. Can you imagine how great it must be for those transportation businesses that are listed on that first page of results - to always be sold out or utilizing all resources?
Anyway, not everyone can hire a marketing firm or search engine optimization specialists for thousands of dollars a pop. That's why we at least try to 
Let me explain: Reputation scores, (like the one above), start off low until you create more content. Each picture you upload, coupon you build, blog you write - brings your score higher. This is to help you understand you need to create more content to get your business listing as high on the search engines as possible. Even if you have a website, it's good to list it on your 
This is another area where you have a reputation score. It points out whether you are listed on a number of yellow page directory sites. If you aren't, then that's one less chance for a customer to find you on the web - thus the lower reputation score. We do provide you with the links to each site so that you can take proactive steps to remedy the situation.
All of this is free. We only want to make sure that you know you have to be on the web, take 
