The 3/50 Project launches LookLocal

by Cinda Baxter on August 9, 2011

in Independent Retailers, Technology, The 3/50 Project

And NOW, kind souls, we change the game.

How many groups and communities out there are publishing lists of independent brick and mortar merchants? (Answer: Not enough) How many consumers actually carry that list around? (Answer: Even fewer)

How do we fix this?

Answer: We give them the list on their smart phones.

Welcome to LookLocal, The 3/50 Project’s brand-spankin’-new iPhone app, connecting consumers to locally owned, independent brick and mortar merchants with a tap or two of a finger.

Unlike “buy local” apps, LookLocal reaches beyond just stores, including all types of independent brick and mortars—retailers to restaurants, dry cleaners to hair salons, B&Bs to bars and bistros…in all 50 states plus Canada.

That’s right. Not just one community or a single region. The whole whopping northern ⅔ of North America. And we’re the first to do it. (Yes, that’s giddy giggling you hear in the background.)

So what’s under the hood?

Shop, Eat, Sip, Stay, Play, and Services
Click the category you desire, then be whisked away to lists of businesses in that category, complete with addresses, click-to-call phone numbers, and written descriptions. We’ll show you those closest to where you are, regardless of whether that’s at home or on the road.

Two types of listings–Basic and Enhanced:
Basic listings include the merchant’s name, description, address, and click-to-call phone number. Merchants who upgrade to Enhanced listings also sport photos, websites, email addresses, and links to their social media sites. They’re easy to spot–just look for the eyeball icon next to their names in the merchant listings. See an eye, see more local goodness.

Maps, maps, maps:
Find a business, click the map, get directions to their front door. Prefer to view everyone in the area? No sweat. Click the Maps button on the home screen and we’ll show you the whole ball of wax.

Favorites:
Simple one-tap saving to your Favorites list (so you know where to find them quickly).

Facebook and Twitter enabled:
Locate nearby friends, post directly to your feeds, see where others are gathering…all with full privacy options allowing you to broadcast or hide your location.

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As The 3/50 Project continues to grow, LookLocal will add more merchants. Check back, check often–there’s plenty of small business goodness to go around!

Ready to grab your copy in the App Store? Sweet. Click here.

Alright, I see hands in the air. Let’s begin answering a few questions:

How do I get the app?
Easy. Click here or visit the App store (through iTunes or your iPhone), then search for “LookLocal.” It’s free to download and use–no strings attached. (Might take a little while to launch the first time you open it on your phone, since the app needs to “populate” itself with all those lovely businesses.)

Where’s the Android version? iPad version?
On the way. Needed to get iPhone out the door first; the others are in development now.

Who’s included in LookLocal?
Independent brick and mortar businesses who sign up as Supporters of The 3/50 Project are automatically listed in LookLocal. Just our way of saying thanks while connecting consumers to the gems in their communities.

What does it cost to be listed in LookLocal?
Basic listings (business name, description, phone, and address) are free.

A little later this summer, we’ll be offering upgrades to Enhanced listings for merchants who’d like to add photos, website links, and social media links (an absurdly affordable annual subscription–basically, so we can pay the bills for this puppy).

What’s an Enhanced listing look like?
There are a few Enhanced listings in LookLocal now, thanks to these divine business owners who allowed us to use them as our test runs (thank you, thank you!):

Shop >
Artichoke Designs, RSVP, Darling’s Fine Things, Karalina’s, 4 Your Eyes Only Optical Boutique, Shackelford’s Florist, J&K Llama’s Landscape

Eat >
Black Forest Cafe, Monica’s Waterfront Bakery

Sip >
The Gorham Grind

I’m listed on your website as an Independent Supporter, but I don’t show up in the app. What gives?
Remember all those emails we sent back in May and June about updating your information with the Project? Yup. That’s what was going on.

Businesses who updated before the four week deadline -or- signed on as new Supporters after April 1 are already in the app. Those who kinda-sorta put their update on the back burner until after the fact will be given another opportunity to update their listings later on, which in turn, adds them to LookLocal. Please stay tuned to our Facebook page for announcements about how the process will work once updating becomes available.

How do I upgrade my listing from Basic to Enhanced?
Step 1.
You need to be a Supporter of The 3/50 Project. If you haven’t signed on already, zip over to The350Project.net and do so.

Step 2.
Confirm that your business appears on The 3/50 Project website Supporter pages. (Note: It’s possible for recent Supporters to show up on the website but not the app yet. The site updates approximately every 7-10 days, but the app updates approximately once a month, in keeping with Apple’s resubmit policies.)

If you don’t see your business name, please use the link on the website’s Contact page provided to help you locate it.

Step 3.
Once your business appears on the Supporter pages, click here to send your request for information about Enhanced profiles, including:
• Your business name
• The physical business address for verification (no “mail only” addresses, please)
We’ll forward upgrade information to the email address we have on file as it becomes available. Don’t want you to miss out on this small business lovefest, after all!

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Hopefully, this helps shine a little light on part of what’s had me buried under twelve feet of To Do Lists the past couple of months (not to mention all those Facebook posts about update emails, database overhauls, and “big things to come”).

Admittedly, there will be some bumps in the road as LookLocal takes it first steps in the world–remember, no one has done anything in this scale before. On behalf of the app developer, the database team, and the fine folks behind Advil and Pepcid Complete (can anyone find that stuff on the shelves any more?), I thank you in advance for your patience, understanding…

…and positive reviews in the App Store. If you like what we’re doing, and you like the app, please be sure to post your positive feedback there. The positive buzz helps float all independent brick and mortars under our roof.

Together, we can strengthen our communities by coming together. Now…whaddaya say we go change the world?

Linda Thiltgen August 9, 2011 at 8:23 pm

This is exactly what I was wishing for while visiting St Louis earlier this summer! I was thinking it would be nice to also have a list of galleries where they sold handmade, local art and hand crafted items. Having it on a smart phone, priceless!! Good for you!! Very much needed! Thanks!

Cinnamon Chaser August 9, 2011 at 10:07 pm

Wondering why Presents of Mind in Portland, Oregon is not included in the “Look Local” app as we have been 3/50 supporters (I think) since the beginning.

Thanks

Editor’s note: Businesses who did not respond to the four emails we sent requesting that they update their info were not included in the app (we don’t have all the details necessary) as noted in the blog post above.

Margit Price August 9, 2011 at 10:25 pm

Cinda- great development and we welcome this with open arms. However, we DEFINITELY signed up for this on time.
But we’re not listed- how come? Disappointing….

Editor’s note: Please look more closely. You’re in the app. Just pulled your listing up on my phone.

Patti August 9, 2011 at 11:18 pm

Thank you! I don’t care for all the “marts” and other chain stores but often didn’t know how to find independent stores that would carry a particular type of item. This app is perfect. I can’t wait to have it on my ipad as well. I’m sharing the word with everyone I know!

meredith miller August 11, 2011 at 11:00 am

Hi Cinda-
When will you be opening this up for more listings? Great app. and we would love to be a part of it.

NorCal Sal August 11, 2011 at 1:16 pm

Wow, love this app! Will let our 60 retailers know about this. Ace stores are independently owned (some for generations) local Hardware stores.
Thanks for the info!

Cinda Baxter August 11, 2011 at 4:37 pm

@Meredith: The app is actually updating once or twice a month now (in keeping with the Apple resubmit turnaround times). Those businesses who were already listed as Independent Supporters of The 3/50 Project but didn’t do the update when requested in May and June will need to sit tight a bit…once we’re past the initial launch phase, a second option to update records will be provided.

Brandon Kirkland August 11, 2011 at 8:19 pm

Glad to hear an Android version is coming out, since there are more Android phones out there and growing faster.

Right now I use Google Places, it’ll be interesting to see your new app with it’s out on Android. Thanks Cinda.

Marion August 18, 2011 at 4:28 pm

good news about this app. keep us posted with the new
developments.

Kevin Clark August 19, 2011 at 3:42 pm

Great idea for independent bricks & mortar businesses. I’ll be looking for ways of getting this out to local retailers and consumers.
Thanks & good luck.

Cinda Baxter August 20, 2011 at 4:36 pm

@Brandon: You’re welcome! Thanks for being patient about the ‘droid version. It’s quite a bit more complex an issue than folks realize.

Cinda Baxter August 20, 2011 at 4:38 pm

@Kevin:

Thank YOU for helping to spread the word!

Lance Evans August 23, 2011 at 9:59 am

I work for the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce and was familiar with the 3/50 project, but just discovered the app. Can’t wait to explore!

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