Xskimo

Hi Warriors, I’ve been lurking around here reading, getting eye-strain and information overload! (g)
And now I need/could use some advice.

I have decided to attempt to do a Local Mobile Web App city directory. I feel I pretty much have most everything in place, with still some tweaking and clean-up left do, and plan on starting my marketing campaign beginning on Monday of next week.

I am offering 3 options for listings:
Free, Standard and Premium.

I would like to get some advice on the Free offering.

I am not quite sure which way to go. The Free offering would include either:
Name, Address and Phone number OR
Name, Address and Business hours.

To be honest, I think I am leaning more towards the name, address and business hours and if they want their phone number added as well, they would need to upgrade to the standard package.

I would appreciate any thoughts you may have.

I will also be offering “extra’s” such as Banner advertisement and Coupons.
An Image Slide show and/or Video(s) can also be added for a few dollars more.

I know people like to see examples, at least “I” do, so here are links:

Sample of the Listing options page, (this is still being worked on):
listing_options

City Directory:
Casa Grande Mobile

This is a mobile site..., it can also be viewed on a desktop computer “decently”, but is optimized and being marketed as a mobile web app for smartphone users. (just thought I would make that clear, (g))

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and advice.

dman1995

Hi, A local directory is a great idea, thinking about incorporating it into my overall scheme as well. I have been a brick & mortar business owner for 20 some odd years, so I have a pretty good idea where their thinking might be at. First question, what do you plan on charging for the standard listings & premium listings? What other perks would come with those upgraded accts if I were a customer? I would think that that most business' would expect all of their basic contact info to be included in the free package, website link as well. What I believe you want to promote would be featured listings at the top of all listings and perhaps banner ads to your high profile clientele. (Experts please chime in).

Patience is bitter, but it's fruit is sweet!

Xskimo

Hi dman,

I Thank you for your comments, seriously. It’s certainly appreciated. To be honest, I’m flying by the seat of my pants, (g), and figuring this out as I go along.

I had considered putting all the contact info in the free listing, but to tell the truth, the mindset here seems to be, if all the information is already listed for free, there isn’t much need to do anymore. Which is why I was asking for advice to see what others think.

As for the pricing structure....it is something I have been struggling with. In the beginning, there was only going to be the “standard” listing....but on another part of this forum there were some people talking about yellow pages....I saw the “ryan’s ad” example and to tell the truth, it made me think that maybe I should do something like a “full page” listing as an upgrade.....and then I thought that maybe I could also offer a “free” listing as well.....

The standard listing would be $250.00 per year, (about $21.00 per month), and would look just like the “sample” shown in the link I provided. It would also include 1 banner advertisement to be placed in whatever category listing the client would like.

The premium listing would be $350.00 per year, (about $29.00 per month), and would also look like the sample provided in the link. It would include 2 banner advertisements. A video could also be added to the page at an additional cost.....or if that is what it takes to sell that listing, then I would go ahead and add it for free as part of the listing price.

My thoughts are to sell banner advertisements and the redeemable coupons. Banners would be $50.00 per month, Coupons would be $75.00 per month. All this is subject to change. (g)

I have checked with several businesses and I think the prices are do-able in this area. But again, this is subject to change.

(city size here is about 50,000 people.....business licenses issued in this area is at about 1,000 and this includes seasonal fruit and vegetable stands and other temporary licenses issued). I’m not quite sure that there are 1,000 businesses I can market to and also not quite sure of what my “true” numbers would be....but my best guess is that it would actually be around 300-350....maybe slightly more, but not by a whole lot.

I will also be offering mobile “web” apps and it would include a free listing for 1 year in the directory. Wether it will be a standard listing or a premium listing is still to be decided.....cost would start at $300.00 for up to 3 pages.....free hosting for the first year on our server and $25.00 per month after that.

As I said at the beginning, I am flying by the seat of my pants, and figuring this out as I go along. This is all new to me....and to be honest, I just got a smartphone about 3 months ago.....after starting on this directory. Up until now, I have had no “need” for one.....actually, I still have no “need” for one. (g) But I do have to admit....it’s is pretty cool.

Thanks again for your reply....and any suggestions are certainly welcomed.

CherylJ

Hi Xskimo,

I have started building smartphone websites and the general rule of thumb for targeting customers is 1. business name 2. contact details 3. hours of business and I think with an app the free version would be very basic ie. name, phone number and hours of business as attention span and ease of getting the info they want is first priority.

How well their attention is caught is then the focus of what your paid versions will offer.

I hope that helps simplify what is required.

Cherylj

Giving small local business an internet presence in a cost effective way.