Well, it's a rarely discussed topic on this forum, I've been posting around in the Offline Marketing section but forgot to check the Membership Sites section.

So has anyone here tried a local business directory? I'm trying out a restaurant oriented site and doing cold calling. I'm getting special coding done so I'm waiting for that to be done before I start cold calling.
Interested to see who's also into this.

Macdonjo3

Kind of confused... So your trying to sell thing to restaurants with your site and your personally call them?

Yes. I offer directories listings.

Originally Posted by macdonjo3

Yes. I offer directories listings.

Thanks for your offer. But is there any requirement for getting the listing? Please suggest me.

So, you are starting a local business directory for your city I am guessing? Don't really understand your post. Are you looking for advice?

I was wondering the same, how can I contact local business owners/franchise owners? I cant find any info for the life of me.

Before the Internet, I used to sell local print advertising to local businesses such as restaurants. Hard to get a hold of restaurant owners between their 'rush' periods. Had better luck dropping by in person.

As for online business directories, I find that vertical markets work best. I.e. targeting all the suppliers or manufacturers in a single market. I was quite successful with one from 2004 to 2007 that I had generating $9k per month from 150 tech businesses in a niche sector. Unfortunately I got sick and the business died a low death.

I'm actually launching something similar for another niche tech market in the next week. Pumped about it. I miss the passive income!

With Google Places and all the apps like Urban Spoon I think small local directories are starting to get phased out.

Good luck on your directory site.

I have a few directory sites and it has been very hard to get any local companies to pay for a listing.

I offer a free listing and it gets new signups every few days, but with Google Places and all the large directory sites (yelp, yellow pages, etc) its going to be a hard sell to tell a business owner why they should give you money.

Let me know if you crack the code :-)

Doing nearly the same, but with a more lucrative twist
First I sell them a 1 year contract with a commercial spot in their town cinemas
and as a 'Bonus' a spot in a local directory

My approach to vertical niche directories is different from those who've
posted so far. I don't charge at all for a listing, but I do charge for above
the fold featured sponsor.

The other thing I do is use a Google places scraper, and use my own
scripts to build the basic listings. There are many businesses who don't
have a website listed in G places, and I turn this to my advantage.

My software will automatically link to any websites found. BUT, if they
don't have a website listed, it's a simple matter to call the business on
the phone, and say something like "I'm putting a name-of-niche
business directory together, but couldn't find your website so I can link
to it." if they have a website, they simply give me the URL, but if they
don't have a website, it puts my foot in the door by telling them how
many of their competitors do have a website, and what a disadvantage
they're in. Conversion is about 75%. When I get an outsource team
together, I'll be able to hit them harder.

The above is just the first phase, as I approach businesses with websites
that are in my directory, and ask them to check their entry. This has
two advantages; it helps sell the sponsored listing, and I get signups to
my newsletter.

HTH

Glenn

Originally Posted by the_demon

With Google Places and all the apps like Urban Spoon I think small local directories are starting to get phased out.

My experience is different. It is soooooooooo easy to find niches where
Google Places isn't listed. As for other directories like Yellow Pages, it's
brain dead easy to outrank them.

HTH

Glenn

I'm doing a real estate directory. Once I get it to the top of the SERPs I think it will be much easier to attract entries. Real estate is very competitive.

On a different point I am charging £27 per listing, what do others charge?

Why dont charge them for leads, so free listing and they pay only for the leads.

Originally Posted by oliver_winston

Good luck on your directory site.

I have a few directory sites and it has been very hard to get any local companies to pay for a listing.

I offer a free listing and it gets new signups every few days, but with Google Places and all the large directory sites (yelp, yellow pages, etc) its going to be a hard sell to tell a business owner why they should give you money.

Let me know if you crack the code :-)

Very discouraging post. Maybe try small cities? How much were you selling for a listing? Maybe your price was too high?

Once you rank high enough in serps the directory will sell itself