Launched - Coupons, Maps and Expanded Business Profiles...

This morning we launched our expanded business details page. Standard and sponsored business listings will now come with an interactive Google map showing the exact location of their business and will have the ability to get driving directions from your address to the business address. Here's an example of restaurants in Norcross, GA - "http://www.beanpool.com/businesses/findresults.aspx?state=ga&city=Norcross&sub=165".

Sponsor listings will include the ability to have a coupon or special with their listing. This coupon/special will also show up on their sponsor listing on the search results page. Here is a link to a local businesses expanded business detail page with a coupon - "http://www.beanpool.com/businesses/BusinessDetails.aspx?Business=310691". On this page you can also see the Profile tab which includes expanded information about the business.

Let us know your thoughts and feedback on this new functionality.

Research online, shop offline locally...

In a post today by Greg Sterling on his Screenwerk blog (local search) he discusses the trend of consumers doing their research online and then shopping offline at a local stores for many types of products and services. I believe this has been a trend for quite some time. However, to Greg's point, part of the problem is that many large online retailers are not doing a very good job of being relevant to the consumer's search. Large retailers need to start showing local inventory levels. If they don't consumers will look elsewhere.

We want to encourage the trend of having consumers research local businesses online, but have the results be local, relevant, and trustworthy to them. Meaning, if they are looking for a plumber to fix a leaky faucet the search results should be, close in distance to them (within x amount of miles), specific to their needs (a leaky faucet) and come highly recommended (read recommendations by several of their friends and neighbors).

This is exactly what we are working toward - business search results that are local, relevant and trustworthy.

Research your needs online and shop offline at a local business.

Dust collectors...

Are you still using the big, old paper version of the yellow pages?

I know that I still use the yellow pages. But probably not the way you think. I believe there is a place in our house where my wife has stacked two or three yellow page books on the floor and has placed a plant on top - that seems very useful.

I also know that we have several in our closet in the top shelf collecting dust. I guess you could classify them as dust collectors.

The point is, why use the old paper yellow pages when you have www.BeanPool.com. Just come to the front page of www.BeanPool.com, type in what you're looking for, and magically (not really) the results appear before you. Including results that are put there by your friends and neighbors.

Yes, we are trying to break old habits, but using those old outdated books is one of those habits that's easy to break.

Next time you need a plumber or want to try a new restaurant, use www.BeanPool.com first. It's quick, easy and relevant. And, please recycle those old yellow page books.

Coupons and expanded business profile...

For many months now our sponsors have been asking us to input their coupons and specials into their business listings. So we have been diligently working on that functionality over the past few weeks. In a few days we will launch the following new additions to BeanPool.

New features and functionality:

1) Coupons/Specials - Now our sponsors will be able to include a coupon or special with their business listing. This will show up on their sponsor listing on the search results page and on their business detail page. On the business detail page the user will be able to open the coupon in a popup window so they can print out the coupon by itself.

2) Expanded Business Profile - We will also be giving our sponsors the functionality to include expanded business profile information with their listing as well. This means that they can include a logo or photo with their listing and include additional information such as hours of operation, a paragraph or two about the business, and things like menus if the business is a restaurant.

3) Google Maps - We are also including a Google Map and an input for directions for each business listing free of charge. This will add a great value for users so they can quickly visualize where the business is and quickly type in their address to get directions to the business.

I will post a message on this blog when the new functionality is out there. I would appreciate any input and suggestions you may have.

Welcome to the BeanPool Blog!

We would like to welcome you to the new BeanPool blogger. In this blog we will share BeanPool updates, enhancement, future thoughts and general thoughts and musing about local search.