Local Directory Sites
 

Just wondering if i was to build a restaurant directory site locally,if i should buy the .com or the .mobi?

I have seen some mobile restaurant directory sites that look great on the iphone and on the laptop looks just as good...

I thought i may as well build straight to mobile?

Also i am considering getting 10 restaurants on the local directory @ $97/month...What do you think?

thanks Darren

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

Hi,
the restaurant owners will ask you how people find that directory. Did you think about that?

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

Hi Darren,

I am also working on a local directory site in a different niche and I am designing it mobile oriented although it is also available on desktop devices. What I mean is, I am building it focusing only on mobile visitors.

I would prefer the .com version if it is available but if not I would go for its .mobi version.

I don't know what info your directory will provide or what additional services you will offer but I think restaurant owners may find $97 a little high to start with. Or maybe they don't in where you live.

I am also considering a yearly pricing. For example instead of charging $49/month, I will charge $399/year. This may seem a higher expense to the business owner at first but when they do the math, they might prefer this model. It is good for them because it is cheaper in the long term, they are required to make only one payment a year and it is good for me because I get more money upfront.

Could we see the sample directories you are talking about?

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

I will have the site ranked well locally...for (KEYWORD AND TOWN)

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

Hi Nail,i wouldnt think $97 would be a problem for restaurants.A handful and new customers would quite easily cover that...

This one here Home is the one i saved and i like how it looks and very functonal.
I believe this thread will give you plenty of information.Great info in their and this is his site...http://www.warriorforum.com/mobile-m...marketing.html

thanks for your reply

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

If you really wanne do restaurants take a look here; http://www.warriorforum.com/mobile-m...lp-needed.html

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

Hi Darren,

I am toying with this idea myself but I thought I would build it first and get it ranking and then approach the restaurant owners. And, no, I don't think they'll pay $97/mo. But 50 of them at $37 might be a good goal.

All the best to you!

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

I'd buy the .com rather than the .mobi

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

Well its a matter of opinion. If .com is available and you can afford it i would suggest you get it if not .mobi is also a good domain.

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

I would not just rely on this method. For example when people search restaurants in city name they are getting Google Places every time. Not only this but you will be competing with businesses like Yelp and City Search.

Try creating some nice rack cards to place in hotels to target visitors. Add a contest on your directory giving away a free gift certificate from a local business and promote this passing out flyers, placing flyers in local businesses ect.

These things will show how you are bringing people to the site.

edit.. buy both ; )

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

Also when doing a mobile directory, your clients must have a mobile site or your visitors will leave and use urbanspoon , etc.

I made that mistake before and instead of a mobile site they was taken to a regular website which looks bad on a mobile phone. So always make sure your customers site is mobile ready.

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

I would offer them the both options as it then simply shows the business the difference and they usually will take the cheaper option - as long as you can show them it will work for them. They may take a trial month and when they see the dollars coming in, they will take the yearly option.

mobi is becoming more popular and if it is a mobile site........

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

You could rank videos for each of the major categories for your directory. That would be easier to do up front before there was actually content.

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

Yes, it's handy if the businesses listing in the directory have a mobile website. However the idea of the mobile directory should really not be to take people to the businesses main website but to have people contact the business right away. They shouldn't really need to click through to their main website.

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

A feature not to forget is to add social share button for each restaurant so a satisfied customer can share on his Facebook page the link to your mobile page with info of the restaurant. It will go viral and you can tell restaurant owners that you have something different than just a mobile directory. I also suggest not to add their regular website but for a fee you can build a mobile site and directory listing will be free for them.

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

What platform are you using to build the site? What CMS?

Why not use both mobi and .com?

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

This is the approach that I have taken. Although most of my directories are full city and not just restaurants.

Basically I take the old yellow pages approach, For free you get a very basic listing, premium you get the upgrades, which include mapping, social buttons, links, etc.

For visitors the idea is for them to go to/ contact the business now, not visit another site, unless it is of course the mobile site/app that I built for them. :)

Kelvin

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

hey kelvin, how do you drive traffic to you directory sites. also are you actively doing seo? just curious, what types of seo you like to do for directory listings.

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

Team networking. Twitting a lot.

But my main source is promotion via my local facebook page(s). My main one being Muskogee, OK. My home.

I am very active in the local community, Chamber of Commerce. I attend 60 to 70 events a year. Grand opening, ribbon cutting, meet and greets, parades, etc. I take thousands of pictures every year at these events. I post those to social networks. As well as local news and events.

SEO, but not a lot, just the basics.

Kelvin

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

thats awesome man. thanks for answering. so your directory sites are for like a whole city? just kinda curious what you are listing, by business categories or something?

thanks!

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

You can see it at Muskogee Oklahoma business listings, chat, news, and more.

I have also started the mobile app and html5 versions.

Yes, by category and subcategory.

Kelvin

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

I think this is a great idea, Darren. I'm just curious - how will you get it ranked well in the early phases - content? What kind of content?
Seems like it would be difficult in the early phases when you're trying to sell the first 10-12 restaurants when the site is thin on content and listings. Just curious. Trying to help you crack the riddle more than anything. ;)

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

Probably you should add some restaurants, then you can show them how it looks and you'll have content in your site.

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

I Think It was great Idea since the more directory is climbing on searches lately and useful for the market if they belong to a group websites like directories however consider also the visitor of your directory website and make sure your website has volume of traffic and features that other can easily contact your subscriber.

$97/m is a big for a directory,try to offer small amount first then while volume of traffic goes up your pricing also goes up.. that's a good pricing scheme,thoughts?

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

Yes, I would also like to know about a wordpress theme that can be used to build the directory site

Re: Local Directory Sites
 

I suggest .com would be much better. :)