Elements of a great Business Improvement Association website
1. Website goals to achieve
- Find products, services & amenities
- Attract shoppers to the area
- Engage shoppers to bring friends
- Build consumer loyalty
2. Website visitor audience types & usage
The site will help these people:
Shop Owners
Provide shop details:
* Contact info
* Product / Brands
* Accessibility
* Wifi / plugs / etc.
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* Offer deals
* Sponsor contests
* Suggest events
Results:
> Improves SEO
> Attracts shoppers
> Builds mailing list
> Sells products
Residents
Login to a local social network to:
* Find products
* Find services
* Find amenities
* Discuss issues
* Meet neighbors
* Meet locals
* Find deals
* Enter contests
* Suggest directory updates
* Suggest local events
Local Visitors
Login to a local social network to:
* Find cool places
* Find deals / shop
* Find attractions
* Find events
* Meet people
* Enter contests
* Suggest updates
Tourists
Login to a local social network to:
* Find a hotel
* Find a car rental
* Explore the map
* Find attractions
* Find events
* Meet people
Media
Support story development through:
* Find events
* Find specific attractions at events
* Connect with the owners of shops and event organizers
* Report local activities
BIA Admin
The BIA admin can:
* Manage shop pages
* Manage amenities
* Manage events
* Approve user updates
* Approve shop deals
* Launch contests, announce winners, provide prizes
* Manage shop banner ads throughout the site
* Manage discussion forums
Results:
> Reduce phone calls as people find info online
> Help businesses grow
> Grow event attendance
> Solve resident issues
4. Directory / Map: Products and Services
Common types of products, services and amenities people look for:
Restaurant
Bar
Cafe
Fast food
Casual dining
Gluten-free
Vegan
Pizza
Burgers
Falafel
Roti
Sushi
Sandwiches
Souvlaki
Wine bar
Chinese food
Thai food
Indian food
Japanese food
Greek food
Italian food
Middle-eastern food
Latin food
Bikes / Scooters
Bakery
Cheese
Fashion
Accessories
Bridal / Weddings
Pet Supplies
Arts & Crafts
Mobile phones
Computers
Electronics
Furniture
Gifts
Grocery & Variety
Beer / Alcohol
Houseware
Meat & Fish
Music Instruments
Books, Music, Video
Party Supplies
Photo / Frames
Antiques
Dispensery
Live Music
Art Gallery
Museum
Theatre
Cinema
Nightclub
Bingo
Arcade
Cybercafe
Bowling
Social Club
Sports Bar
Stadium
Park
Zoo
Community Centre
Places of Worship
Schools
Colleges
Universities
Employment Office
Government Services
Child Care
Fitness Studio
Beauty Salon
Hotel
Hostel
Bed & Breakfast
Long-term
Assistant Living
Retirement Homes
Auto Sale & Rental
Real Estate
Taxi
Autoshop
Sound Recording
Tailor / Shoe Repair
Financial Services
IT Services
Design Services
Marketing Services
Legal Services
Accountant / Tax
Dry cleaning / Laundry
Health Clinics
Pet Services
Telecom Services
Bike Repair
Community Services
Print Shop
Pharmacy
Barber / Tattoo
Deliver Services
Acting . Radio / TV
Media Production
Catering
Travel Agency
Funeral Services
Parking Lots
Parking at Office Buildings
Street Parking Spots
Bike Parking
ATMs
Parks
Bike Lanes
Bike Trails
Post Office
Fountains
Washrooms
5. Directory / Map: Business Listing Info
Businesses should share as much relevant info as possible in their listings for shoppers to find them.
Types of information for business listings:
- Business Name
- Contact Name
- Phone
- Website
- eCommerce Site
- Social Media Links
- Opening Hours
- Holiday / Special Hours
- Open Sundays
- Business Description
- Business Categories
- Specialties
- List of Products sold
- List of Brands sold
- List of Services provided
- Languages spoken
- Delivery options
- Wholesale options
- Washrooms
- Accessibility
- Entrance
- Washrooms
- Patio
- Wifi (free?)
- Plugs / Charging Stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Vending machines
- Recently opened
- Reservations
- Private Parties
- Live Music
- Volume (quiet / loud)
- Many screens (TVs on)
- Licensed bar
- Star rating
- Celebrity hot spot
- Price range
- Full menu details
- Links to review sites
- Embed review widgets
6. Directory / Map: Data Sources
How do you populate the Directory / Map with as much info as possible? Using ShopMap you can integrate information from multiple sources.
From BIA Members:
- BIA Member List (import)
- Generate Member Accounts
- Members login and update their listings
- Members post their deals
- Members post their events
Automated Data Feeds:
- From Member Facebook Event pages (auto-post their events on the map / calendar)
- From the City of Toronto OpenData project (everything from BIA boundaries to bike lanes, etc.)
- From the Green P Parking data, ParkWhiz API or other options
Public Info Suggestions:
- Business listing update suggestions
- Event update suggestions
- News update suggestions
- On-location photo / video uploads
- Business / Event Reviews
7. Directory / Map: ShopMap Features
How do you populate the Directory / Map with as much info as possible? Using ShopMap you can integrate information from multiple sources.
Directory / Map Features:
- Search (general + withing categories)
- Browse (by categories)
- Shop owner login (+ update listing)
- Shopper login
- Shopper ‘Like’ shops and get deals
- Shopper listing suggestions (new / edit / delete)
- Admin approval process
Deal Features:
Shop owners submit for approval:
- Offer / Price
- Discount
- Time limited
- Coupon code
- Image
- Link
Event Calendar Features:
- Search / Browse by type
- Add / edit / delete events
- Public event suggestions (+ admin approval)
- View by week / month / year
- Print calendar
- Festival activities list
- Festival activities map
Contest Features:
- Admin launch contests
- Contest ends automatically
- Approve winners
- Send prizes
- Types of contests (trivia, postcard-making, drawing, etc.)
BIA Admin Features:
- Login user roles
- Manage business listings (approve / decline edit content)
- Manage map amenities (approve / decline / edit content)
- Manage events & festival (approve / decline / edit events)
- Manage deals (approve / decline)
- Manage contests (launch, winners, prizes)
- Manage business banner ads throughout the site