Lindy Businesses: Claim Your Listing on Patch! It's Free!

When Lindenhurst Patch launched last year, editors and freelancers ventured to local businesses in order to collect information for our directory.

Now Patch Places is a spot where users can find descriptions, hours, accepted payment methods and much more for spots around the Lindy community.

All users could add events taking place at local spots, could rate the business on a scale of one to five stars and could even add a review.

But owners of local Lindy businesses get extra bonuses when they claim a listing.

How to Claim a Listing in Patch Places
Owners or managers should search for their business listing, click on the listing and then click on the "Claim It!" link where it asks, "Do you own or manage this location"

Claiming the listing will enable owners/managers to make updates to their business' page. A form will pop up asking for your name, contact information and proof of ownership. Within a few days someone from Patch should contact you to verify your authenticity, and then you'll be approved as the business owner.

Once approved the owner/manager will have a "Manage Your Listing" button appear on the top of your Patch Places listing page. Click the button to be taken to your dashboard.

From the dashboard changes and updates could be made to the listing. On the left side of the dashboard there'll also be several clickable options: Your Stats, Edit Listing, Manage Photos and Media, Reviews, Free Tools, Paid Tools and Contact Sales.

Here's a breakdown of those categories:

• Your Stats:
  Here owners/managers could see how many users have rated, reviewed or follow your listing. They could e-mail their customers to seek out more reviews, and link the Patch Places listing to their Facebook or Twitter account.

• Edit Listing:
  Here owners/manangers could add photos, website information, hours of operation, contact information and more under the "Basic Info" tab located under "Edit Listing."
  
  Some of this information cannot be changed, but owners/managers could request a new description if they think their business is inaccurately described.
  
  They could choose "Extra Info" to add information, such as the founding date of the business, what kinds of payments you accept, if there's street parking or a lot and much more.

• Manage Photos and Media:
  Here owners/managers could add and edit photos, as well as choose which image is featured. If they have video or PDFs, then they'd add that here, too.

• Reviews:
  Owners/managers could see what people have to say about their businesses.

• Free Tools:
  Owners/managers could post events and add job openings to Patch's classifieds section, also known as the Marketplace.

• Paid Tools:
  Owners/managers could upgrade their listings with a video profile, add a message from the them and become a featured business on the Patch Places page for a fee. They could learn more about these options, and how to get in touch with a sales team member, in this "Paid Tools" section.

Claim and Stay in Touch with Patch
So Lindy business large and small be sure to claim your listing today to help keep Lindenhurst Patch users updated about your company and keep your listing looking fresh.

In addition, be sure to keep in touch with Lindenhurst Patch Editor Barbara Capella Loehr at barbara.loehr@patch.com and let us know about the latest news with your business.