Shop Local Directory

Since I last wrote I have been focused development of the building and launching our new niche directory for Functional Medicine Practitioners.

The directory is being built on the GeoTheme WordPress theme which I had written about in a previous email.

Read my review here:

http://hyperlocal101.com/new-local-directory-wordpress-theme-geotheme

I went ahead and ran through the core signup and payment processing of the theme and reworked it to take payment first and add listing second. In my experience you need to “Pay to Play” and in regards to this theme this was one of the first things I wanted to modify.

Secondly, we decided to disconnect the payment integrations which would automatically turn off / cancel a persons listing if they failed payment.

WHY DID WE DO THIS?
(Even though we are looking at running around 400 paid listings)

Here are the reasons:

1. First we will work to get people to prepay the year rather than depending on monthly billing.

2. In the mean time the people who have failed payments, expired credit cards or other.. will begin to go into an email sequence which will also include a phone call.

Our customers are to valuable to simply let the system kick them out or have them fall though the cracks. By building relationships with them directly on the phone. Helping them setup listings (We Charge Extra), and giving them needed discounts when they are in financial distress or need, we can insure that the directory will have more long term value and connection for those listed in it.

3. Finally, it’s easy to pay someone once a month to go in and turn off failed listings.

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So far so good and over the next four weeks we will be rolling outand monetizing the directory.

If your particularly interested in the steps we will be taking please email me: ShieldsBialasik(at)Gmail.com

If I get 20 people or more I will consider doing a closed webinar in which I run you through my core changes, backend management strategy and then directory launch plan / review. I will also discuss our philosophy behind it’s monetization.

In parallel worlds…

This past Tuesay I published the June Issue of LocalsGuide (My Hyperlocal Newspaper) and have been working on the launch and release of it’s own online “Shop Local Directory”. Then using the massive presence of our newspaper we will launch into the community.

The directory is also being built on GeoTheme and considering all goes smoothly. With the first directory this will be the platform of choice. Some of my choice processes will be different as I am still dialing in the payment processing.

Before I sign off I want to leave you with one very quick idea for building your own quick and easy “Shop Local Directory”. Something you could do today in less than an hour and then charge money for.

Check it out:http://www.Ashland.Oregon.LocalsGuide.com (See Right Side Bar)

This was built in wordpress using the “Links” function and thenembeding a widget into the side bar. It’s fast and easy and spreadsacross more than 2000 pages in the website!

Sell each spot for $50/ year!
Can you say … Cha-ching!

I was talking on the phone with an advertiser and immediately added her into the directory… the result was – Instant Success!