First Steps Before Adding Businesses
IN THIS ARTICLE
Business pages provide the same layout options as dynamic pages, using sections and modules to present your business content the way you want, with the added functionality of 'feeding' a searchable interface. This database is often used as a searchable directory of local restaurants, hotels, and/or attractions - but it's not limited to that. We've also seen it used for categorizing vendors, as well as local artists.
Talk with your Client Experience Manager to see if your site can benefit from using this feature. The Business database might need to be activated on your site.
But before you create a business we recommend reviewing the following steps:
Set Business Categories
These are controlled from the Site Map and will ultimately be the filters you and your customers use to view specific business types. For an admin, these help you manage businesses - and for a customer, these make it easier to find businesses. It's okay if you add new categories later, but setting up the basics in advance will make adding businesses more straightforward.
Read More About Business Categories
Establish Locations
Locations apply to both Businesses & Events. They can be real places with actual street addresses, or local names for malls, stages, play areas or parks that may not have "official" addresses.
Customize a Template
Creating unique templates is a great way to standardize the layout for specific business types or categories. You're not required to create templates (there's a built-in, default template for business pages), but we want you to be familiar with this functionality. Also, be aware that specifying a template other than the default has to be done as a business page is added - templates can't be retroactively applied to existing pages.
This isn't required, but it is a tool that we want you to be aware of. Just know that templates have to be selected when a business is added - they can't be applied to existing businesses.
Learn More About Building Templates
Consider Importing
If you have a lot of businesses to add, you might find it easier to use the business importer. At the top of the Businesses Dashboard look for the 'Import' link, then choose 'Download template'. You can add all of your business data to the spreadsheet then import everything at the same time!
Ready, Set... Go!
After reviewing the steps above, you're ready to begin adding businesses!