LocalBizBlogs is a blogging and publishing platform designed to empower small businesses. It's an easy way to connect with customers and build your business's reputation on the web, even if you already have a website.
It's also a place to find unique local businesses in your area or while traveling.
For more information, visit the Directory.
A business's web page on LocalBizBlogs, consisting of a profile, blog and tools. We've made publishing your business as simple as sending an email. Easily add content with one of our many tools, like coupons, events, menus, links, photos, and videos. Everything can be shared, so people can pass along your content to their friends - extending your exposure through their social networks.
For more information, visit our About page.
LocalBizBlogs users are as diverse as the internet itself. You don't need to be a business owner to become a member of LBB. Anyone can sign up and take advantage of user account features. Only legitimate business owners, however, are allowed to have a BizBlog.
LocalBizBlogs was designed to fit the needs of small business everywhere.
People also use LocalBizBlogs to search for unique local businesses in their area or when traveling. Looking for a coffee shop that serves fish tacos and provides wireless internet access in Fresno, CA? How about a freelance photographer who uses Leica cameras in Mesa, AZ? Use LocalBizBlogs and you'll find what you're looking for, no matter where you are.
Yes, a BizBlog can be used as your primary web presence, or to complement an existing website. You can even have your business domain forwarded to your BizBlog.
Your BizBlog is available to anyone on the internet. They are optimized for search engine crawlers so your content gets indexed properly.
BizBlogs are free to use during the beta period. Monthly subscription plans will be introduced once the beta period is complete (estimating Winter 2007). We will always have a limited-feature free account option available. Users will be notified of any service changes at least 30 days in advance.
The purpose of the beta period is to test our system as we build it, and to get feedback and bug reports from users. Users play a critical role in helping us make a reliable platform that fits their needs.
Apple Safari, as well as some older browsers, may not be able to utilize all features built into LocalBizBlogs. Safari 1.0 and 2.0 will not display a post's text formatting bar (all formatting will have to be done in HTML), and may incorrectly render page structure. All issues are expected to be resolved with the final release of Safari 3.0 in Apple's upcoming Leopard operating system, due in October 2007.
If you're unable to access your BizBlog, make sure your internet connection is up and running, and you are able to access other websites.
If you are connected and still can't access your blog, please contact LBB support via email
Share your BizBlog by clicking the Send to Friend button at the top left of your BizBlog. This sends the recipient an email containing your business's profile information and a link back to your BizBlog.
Adding your BizBlog URL to your email and forum signatures is another way to spread the word. And don't forget about blog directories and social bookmarking websites.
There are many offline ways to share you BizBlog: Include your blog's URL on advertisements, business cards, signage, radio and television ads, email and forum signatures, and even voicemail.
Your blog's URL is http://www.localbizblogs.com/(your blog's name), and can be found at the top of your Dashboard when logged in: You are currently managing your page at: localbizblogs.com/xxx...
While not everyone will agree on everything, we encourage civil and respectful discourse amongst our users. However, we do not encourage abusive or offensive behavior on LBB. Before you take action, be sure to read link to Manual>Blog>Comments>2nd Part to understand the difference between a valid comment and an inappropriate one.
If you discover an offensive or inappropriate comment on your Blog, please send us an email with your report.
Comments can be deleted by logging in to your BizBlog, and clicking the delete icon in the upper right hand corner of the comment.
Although a BizBlog is designed to maximize your visibility to search engines, we have no control over when and where your Blog will show up in search engine results.
Rankings on search engines are based on what the search engine knows about a site. Make sure your BizTags are filled out and your profile contains a good description of your business (Google uses the first 160 words (including spaces) as descriptive text when displaying results.)
Search engines also seek content, lots of it. Every time they crawl your BizBlog, they can tell if anything new has been added and how frequently it's being updated. Blogging frequently helps satisfy hungry search engines, and tells them they should check back more often.
Visit The Exchange for more information on how to increase your search engine rankings.
If you've forgotten your password, or need to have it reset, simply click the lost password? link on the login screen. You'll be prompted for your username and email address.
After you've entered your username and email address, an email will be sent to your address with instructions on changing your password.
If you can't remember your username or email address, send us an email, and we'll see what we can do to help.
Have you got an idea to improve LocalBizBlogs? Or perhaps you've discovered a bug? The best way to share your observations and thoughts is through the forum. LBB staff and community members will be glad to hear from you.
You can also message LBB directly via the Message Center, in your Dashboard. Simply log in to your BizBlog, open your Dashboard, and click the Message Center link. In the Message Center, you'll see a link to "Contact LocalBizBlogs." Click the link, fill out the form, and voila! You've notified us of your request. We'll do our best to respond to you as soon as possible.
Any tool can be repositioned by clicking-and-holding its title bar, and dragging it above or below other Tools. To make dragging easier, it might help to "collapse" Tools before you move them. Collapse a Tool by clicking the arrow on the right of its title bar.
Tools can be enabled or disabled in the Tools Manager inside your Dashboard. When enabled, Tools display immediately inside the right toolbar of your BizBlog. Newly added Tools display at the bottom. Tools disappear immediately when turned disabled.
Have you accidentally disabled a tool? Don't worry! Simply turn it back on, and the Tool will immediately reappear and your information will remain intact.
