Getting Started with LocalBizBlogs

Supported Browsers

We highly recommend the use of modern web browsers like Firefox 3 and Safari 4 and Internet Explorer 8 for administering your BizBlog. We no longer support Internet Explorer 6, although viewers will still be able to view your blog with this browser.

The Basics

Your BizBlog consists of four sections: Dashboard, Business Profile, BizBlog and Tools.

The Dashboard is your main control deck, where you will manage your tools, monitor traffic to your BizBlog, read or send messages, and manage your account. The Dashboard appears on your BizBlog only when you are logged in. Open and close it by toggling the Dashboard tab.
The Profile contains your business's name, contact and location information, as well as a brief description. It can also list your business hours, if applicable. Features highlight the various offerings of your business and biz tags are keywords that describe your business.
The BizBlog is where you post content about your business, like text, images, podcasts and even video. This is your canvas, limited only by your imagination. Some suggestions: keep customers up-to-date, talk about your profession, give tips, showcase your products or services.
Our growing pallet of tools enable you to promote specific aspects of your business. For example, a hairstylist can post a coupon, a restaurant can publish their menu, or a bowling alley can post their upcoming events. Choose which tools you want.

Start Building Your Content

Create a Blog post

One way to start is by posting a welcome message to introduce yourself and/or your business. Or jump right in and write about any topic. Don't get caught up on your first post. If nothing comes to mind, make it simple. Blogging is similar to riding a bike - it takes a little time to get your balance right and practicing is key. Pretty soon you'll be able to maneuver your bike and start going places.

Activate your Tools

Open the Tools Tab on your business page and turn on the tools you wish to use. Then begin adding content to your tools. For example: create a new event, create a new coupon, or add menu categories and items to your menu. You can also rearrange the order of your tools by grabbing a tool's top bar and dragging it above or below other tools on your page. All your content is saved if you decide to disable a tool, and enable it again in the future.

Add Features to your BizBlog

Features are located on the left-hand sidebar under Send to Friend. Add features by opening the Features Drawer in the Dashboard and dragging them down to the Features area of your BizBlog. You can reorder Features by grabbing one and dragging it above or below other Features. Want to remove a Feature? Drag it back to the Dashboard.

Add BizTags

BizTags are keywords that describe your business. They help visitors find the kinds of businesses they are looking for. When clicked, each biz tag will take you to a page that displays businesses that have added that particular biz tag to their BizBlog. For example, an ice cream shop may use the following biz tags: "ice cream", "milkshake", "dessert", "soda fountain", "date spot", "city name". Or a gas station may use: "gas", "fuel", "car wash", "food mart", "lottery", "ATM", "coffee", "cigarettes", "city name". Each business is limited to 15 biz tags, so choose them wisely.

These are the basics for getting started with your LocalBizBlogs account.