I know google has offices in Mountain View and NYC, but how do they sell to local markets? Do they have satellite offices or local sellers that report to CA or NY? If live in Phoenix and want to sell local business google search words or paid SEM how would that work?

I tried the local chamber of commerce, etc. but no luck there. I did find these companies willing to say lists but they want to charge like $500 or more. I also tried calling the local phone company but they said they don’t have the info??? Well my best bet is the local phone company would have the info but not willing to show newly established listings. My reason for wanting the info is because I just started a part time job that I hope becomes full time and it involves setting up merchants for accepting credit card transactions.

I was going to use the Yahoo Local API but found out this is only for US.

So do you know of any api’s out there that handle UK business listings? or another way of getting this data?

I’m using Ruby on Rails to build my web app, not that you really needed to know that.

Hi there,

We own a small deli and would like to know how to effectively market it to bring in more catering business. We have tried mailing our $5.00 coupons via fist class mail to some business, this is working (slowly but surely), however, we would like to expand and grow our business more. We also place a small ad in the local paper every week. Would post card direct marketing be effective? Thank you kindly for your time.

How do Small/business owners contact one another? Could someone recommend resources and channels to reach these SMBs (especially those mom & pop places). Do each city have their own directory collected in chamber of commerce that’s open source to users? How do citysearch get their full listings and vendor participation?

A friend of mine has started up a website which caters to the locals in the area looking and searching for business in the area and providing info on local events.

It just launched recently however she is having trouble finding clients to advertise their businesses on the website. The website also provides local listings such as events that are occuring in the city etc.

Its a really good idea, however I dont want to see the site flop. How can we market or what strategies can we use to improve it, and make it a high traffic and popular website to the locals and its businesses? How can we be able to utilize search engine optimization?

Take a look at the site, and please give your info. Much appreciated thank you!

http://www.viva505.com

I want to start a listing business. Local listings like many that already exsist. Restaurants, pubs, clubs etc…..Do i need to get there permission to put their business onto the site? This will be a UK based website.

My husband and I are managers at a local self storage facility in San Diego and we are looking for creative, inexpensive ways to market to local businesses. We have exahausted passing out flyers and are looking for new ideas.
Thanks!

I need an idea, I’m going around to local business to market and I want them to remember me. I was thinking about taking cookies or something like that and I need some ideas