I REALLY need your opinion/help, DU: Community Resource Directory

[OneGrassRoot]

As I get closer to launching Wishadoo!, I would REALLY, REALLY appreciate your thoughts about something: Do you feel a Community Resource Directory would be of value?

The Resource Directory is similar to The Green Pages but lists businesses dedicated to the good of the community, which includes being environmentally and socially responsible. Because this directory is part of an actual online community (Wishadoo!), the community members can offer feedback (positive and critical, though polite) to encourage businesses to keep moving in the right direction, and there are ways to integrate the Directory, Groups and the Wishlist. It's truly an integrated community with, what I feel, are great tools to DO GOOD. :)

In addition to paid business listings (a sliding scale starting @ something like $25/year; this is the only source of potential revenue currently and I must generate revenue very, very soon to keep going), the Resource Directory will also serve as a portal to a comprehensive directory with links to existing social service organizations and agencies. Nonprofits that would like a full listing can certainly create one at no charge. My ultimate goal (with a lot of help from brilliant, committed people like DUers) is for this to eventually be a one-stop resource for people to find a plethora of helpful resources, especially for crisis situations, locally and nationally. I'd work with other sites doing the same, cooperatively, to try to create a comprehensive resource.

I've included a screenshot (and links) below of a sample mockup listing. As you can see, there are a variety of features for both the business and potential clients to use: comments, uploaded documents (menus for restaurants, for example), maps can be inserted, news feeds, locations, reviews, followers. It can even serve as a website for sole proprietors and small businesses who don't yet have a web presence.

I can see gifting my favorite businesses (my local mechanic, for example) with a listing as a thank you. Advertising is so expensive, and many people are just not web savvy enough to create a basic website (nor have the funds to pay for one), but they do want and need a web presence. This is a way to promote our favorite small businesses at a truly grassroots level, via the community itself.

I'd truly appreciate your feedback.

Do you think such a Directory would be of value and do you feel small businesspersons/entrepreneurs would pay at least $25/year to have a listing? If you could afford $25, would you pay to gift your favorite businesses with a listing?



Thanks! :hi: (and thanks again to you generous souls for the hearts. DUers ----> :yourock:

:loveya:


RESOURCE DIRECTORY (please note that tweaking categories and subcategories is definitely on the to-do list; the site itself isn't ready, but you can get a very good idea of the features now)



SAMPLE LISTING

[OneGrassRoot]

1. I'm gonna keep this kicked because I really need feedback. Edit to add:

I know the categories are less than ideal; that's easily remedied with more feedback and suggestions.

I'm looking for your opinion about the ideal of this Resource Directory in general.

Thanks again! :hi:

[nenagh]

2. Hi OneGrassRoot....

I wish I could be of more help to you, but business is far from my area of expertise.

Best of luck...

[OneGrassRoot]

4. Thanks so much, nenagh!

I appreciate you trying to help. :hug:

[Mnemosyne]

3. KnR for more visibility. :) n/t

[Lisa0825]

5. I htink $25 is a bargain, and yes, I would consider paying that for a listing

if I had a business.

As fas as non-profit orgs go, if you are looking for contacts to hit up for listings, you might check with metro area United Ways. Here is a link to a document for the Houston area. I would imagine that the organizations in this listing might also be interested in cross-listing elsewhere.

http://www.unitedwayhouston.org/default/Help%20Starts%20Here%202010-03-24.pdf

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Thanks so much!

I appreciate that. :)

Actually, months ago I was in touch with the director of United Way's 211.org initiative. There was potential interest in working with Wishadoo! in some way to create a comprehensive portal. He said that with all the red tape within their organization -- with each individual 211.org network being independent and the local orgs wanting to keep it that way...lol -- there'd never be a comprehensive portal from their perspective.

But he seemed interested in working with me on it, with mutual benefit for the 211.org and Wishadoo! in some way.

:hi:

[babydollhead]

6. It looks great!

I might pay 25.00. and I don't usually ever join clubs that would have me as a member

[OneGrassRoot]

8. lol!

:rofl:

Thanks for the feedback, babydollhead! I appreciate it. :hi: