‘My Main Street’ Economical And Much More Than A Directory

Lane Burdett of Business DIY has a new project, My Main Street, a website that offers communities and their small businesses a remarkably economical online platform for self-promotion.

It’s all about small and medium businesses (SMEs) competing with the ‘big’ players in today’s challenging world of the internet and social media.

There is a free 19 page-guide to Social Media available from the website.

SMEs And Community Groups Need To Work Together

Lane believes country towns need to band together to communicate, nurture, brand and promote their region so as to foster sustainable development. My Main Street is both a local self-managed portal and the basis for a ‘Buy Local/Support Locals’ campaign.

The intention is NOT to undermine local web developers, who work with individual businesses or groups to develop their own web page. My Main Street is about the whole town/region developing an identity as a vibrant, viable entity that will lead online viewers/prospective customers to specific business/community group web pages.

Each Community Portal Will Start With A Photo Comp.

A photo comp. for the best images to present the area establishes the My Main Street community ‘look’ and the photos can then be used by the local Chamber of Commerce etc for any events/promotions that should arise.

What Will My Main Street Provide?

LIVE, LOCAL INFO/NEWSFEED

Sourced through the Chamber of Commerce or the Council Communications Officer, this info is:

• updated weekly
• Business specials for the week are listed
• An online booking calendar is available for Hairdressers, Accountants etc

A FREE BASIC LISTING

At first glance – under the cluster of selected photos – is a Main Street map with ALL businesses/community groups listed, presenting the community in the best possible light. Addresses and phone numbers appear under a hovering mouse. This listing is free.

PREMIUM LISTINGS

• A premium listing includes business hours (showing green under the hovering mouse) plus a direct link to an existing website
• Bookings can be taken – payments taken
• Info can be easily updated by individual businessowners/community groups
• Specials can be offered
• Multiple images are available

The Costs

30% of the advertising revenue will go to the local Chamber of Commerce on a quarterly basis.

The cost of a premium listing is $16.50/month for businesses if linking to an existing site.

The cost of a premium listing is $33.00/month to have a website on ‘MyMainSt’ that is really easy to update.

Total set-up price for a community is $1760.

Annual hosting fee is $660.

Lane is currently offering to work with the first three business groups to create a marketing plan and even create three social media accounts to get them running!

A Bit More About Lane

Lane has set up BusinessResources.com.au as a free resource site for small independent Australian businesses.

There are many resources here and the site is being constantly updated as more info comes to light. There are another 76 pages of ‘Tools’ to be added.

Lane also sends out a free email newsletter with new resources and tech tips.

Last year, through his Twitter activities, Lane was appointed to VECCI’s Carbon Down Industry Advisory Council.

CarbonCompass.com.au is now a great, free site to help small business improve on their Carbon output… and even save money. Check it out as there are some great ideas suggested there. You may care to join and add your own?

A real opportunity for forward-looking communities and their SMEs