Business & Tech

Niles Chamber Updates Its Website

Hopes more options will let customers find its member businesses.

After Niles Chamber of Commerce members enjoyed pizza Thursday at a lunch meeting, Katie Schneider gave them a whirlwind tour of the Chamber's updated website.

Schneider, the organization's executive director, guided the audience to the Business Directory portion of the site, and told the members that they are listed on the site, but that they can add information to draw more eyeballs and potential clients.

"Certified keywords--this is probably what you're lacking," she said. By way of example, she clicked on a bank which simply described its services as "bank."

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Schneider urged members to get creative in describing all the services they offer. A bank, for example, could list a keyword like "college planning" if bankers help families plan for how they will save for their kids' college education.

"Put in descriptive words about your services and products and what you offer," she advised. 

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The website also lets potential customers send member businesses an email, she said, though their own email address is not listed.

"It's good because people can email you but your email isn't on the website, which is how spam gets picked up," she said.

Al Katz of Identity Theft Shield asked about the most common search terms customers use, and Schneider said she would be happy to go over that with him.

Schneider also encouraged member businesses to list their job openings on the Chamber's site and check out the Hot Deals section for specials. 

The meeting was held at the Niles Family Fitness Center. Member businesses take turns hosting events. 


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