Name of your website?LocalizedBiz
Your name?
Gordon
Your Location (city, etc)
New York
Please give us a short summary of your website?
LocalizedBiz is a free U.S. based online business directory. Register for an account (free of charge) and post your business in the relevant category to find new customers for your business. Registration and business listing page creation are free. Add any of the following business information: company physical address, phone number, company description, business related keywords, a contact form for inquiries and an optional link to your company official website.
LocalizedBiz is an online business directory where a business owner or webmaster is allowed to post information about the business, and users may rate and review that business. Add your business listings to our LocalizedBiz business directory for free, and further promote your business through this platform.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
As a webmaster for multiple businesses, I saw the need for a totally free directory. One that does not ask for a reciprocal url nor has all sorts of fees. A place where business owners, as well as webmasters and seo experts can easily post their businesses listings and thus promote them. All listings are open for real user reviews and ratings.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
LocalizedBiz.com was launched mere months ago (2,3), if this question is about my very first website - well that was a nightmare I soon forget. It was an online portfolio for an interior designer. I made it all in flash (bad mistake no. 1), since it was my very first experience in the field I asked for (oh the shame) $100 (horrible mistake no. 2), I did not limit the client time-wise (mistake no. 3)and the whole thing dragged forever.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
LocalizedBiz was the 3rd or 4th domain I searched for once I realised it's available for registration I went at it like a Giraffe on a tasty tree branch. It's catchy and gives you a huge clue what it's about.
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
Good question! I guess forth and foremost it is absolutely free of charge and hassle. No fees and no reciprocal link. That's a big deal, as most of similar sites out there ask for at least one of them. Listings are posted automatically, so no 6 year wait for a lazy human to authorise the admission. It's very easy to navigate and handle. It's a beautiful thing really.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
My ultimate goal is to become something like Yelp! I relaise it's like aiming for stars - but that's what I have in mind. A place where anyone can post and promote their businesses, and real users can review, comment and rate. At this stage, and I guess for some time, I have no plans of making a cent out of it. Maybe one day if it'll become very successful, I'll rethink it.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
I love these questions! I'm a strong believer in the world wide web. I see localizedbiz as a wee plant, that with time (years) and lots of love and care - may grow into a big healthy tree one day. Making a lemonade out of lemons, requires a seed and years of nourishment. As a guy with years of experience in the web biz - I know how to be patient.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
hmmmm. Not sure. I guess I'd spend on advertising it. Maybe get a 30 sec spot on the next Super Bowl or something :)
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Yes. This site is my baby. I love it, and would be very happy and proud if it grew to the point I had to spend all my time on it, or get additional help to maintain it.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
well, not yet - but I guess spam would become an issue soon enough.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Biggest challenge is getting people to notice the site. In it's very early stage, you have to present it to the world just to get a bit of traffic. It's not easy.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
I guess posting it in relevant places, such as this. Looking for forums and similar directories that may have an interest for this kind of site.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
It's different in the way that there are no agendas, part from getting relevant traffic. I'm not selling anything here, while I do try and do that for my clients.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
It's brand new, only 3, 4 months old. As I mentioned before, I have years of experience in the field, and I know that sometimes it can take years to get a site going. I have the patience, and will not give up even if it means running it for years with nothing going on.
How can you protect your site from spam?
I foresee that as my biggest issue. For the time being I have not had any spam problems, but it's only a matter of time before it happens. I plan on removing spammish content manually and ban the user for life. Other than that, if the site grows to the point where manual work takes too much time, I'll look for automated solutions for that.
What is your website address?
LocalizedBiz
