We are receiving several calls from our members regarding our FREE website Traffic Catcher System/Website and I wanted to give everyone a quick overview of this great product.  For years our members have told the Chamber that they wanted a simple and turnkey marketing product for their business that would get them results quick, well since January 19, 2010, the system is built, fully functionable and over 30 members are already seeing the benefits of the system.

This is a website with a communications platform for the Chamber of Commerce to use in educating the community on the value in buying local online as well as a communications platform for Chamber members to display information on their business that is indexed for local search results.
It is a search engine to make it easy for the public to find what they are looking for that is available locally.
Buy Local Program© was formalized for Chambers of Commerce and we are pleased to offer this to our members FREE as part of their membership! The public can locate vendors for products and services within their own community and selectively follow local businesses on twitter and be notified via cell phone about any special money saving offers. They can quickly and easily scan thousands of products and services available within their own community.

Other benefits of this sytstem include the following:

*Able to present up to 1000 display ads online through the Buy Local Program

*Designed for professionals and service companies who don't sell online, but want to feature their services.
*Able to optimize each display advertisement to increase their popularity on Google™ and other search engines.
*Able to participate in powerful local advertising program at no additional cost to member.
*Fully integrated with PayPal® for the ultimate in simplicity and easy check out services.

For any members who already have their websites up and functioning, some of your requests to our technical support team are being implemented with this upgrade.  We listen to your needs and what you have to say!  THIS MONTH, your online advertising system has been upgraded to the latest version that you should find easy to navigate and a very attractive way to advertise your business or organization.

Some of the features included are:

> Includes hosting for up to 1000 display advertisements containing up to 6000 images
> Ad solution for professionals, service companies or retailers
> Mobile advertising solution (Web App) with access designed specifically for mobile phones (coming soon)
> When no price is entered the ad becomes a DISPLAY ONLY with "Inquiry" button
> When price is entered the ad becomes an item "For Sale" that may be purchased with or without PayPal
> Powerful online interface accessible from any internet connected computer
> Create, add and approve ads using a mobile phone with camera
> Store widget allows your store to be embedded into your website for additional exposure (coming soon)
> Automatically posts your items to your Twitter account
> Shop Statistics / Control Panel with summary of new customers, orders, etc! . (coming soon)
> Complete Order Management with Order History, Customer Notification and Order Edit (coming soon)
> Basic Reporting Feature: sold Items, monthly, annual revenue (coming soon)
> Manage order statuses (coming soon)
> Customers are able to easily search for products or services through a search form
> Feature specific products by showcasing them in coupons
> Order confirmation mail is sent to buyer and store owner
> Capable of live credit card processing using PayPal checkout or using a PayPal account

Be sure to login and take advantage of this free service offered by our Chamber, take your business online!  We are here to help you!  Some of this may not make any sense to you at all, but we are here to help you grow your business, just let us show you how!

Please sign up for the upcoming CHAMBER 101 CLASSES to learn how to take your business to the next level and build your business.  35 Chamber members already have and they are already seeing results!  To get started contact the Chamber office at 419-877-2747 to schedule a meeting to understand the great Advertising and Website system that the Chamber is offering its members.

There are two days this week coming up that you can choose one to attend the class.  Class size is limited, so please click on the link below to register for the class.

Thursday, May 20th 7pm

http://www.chamberorganizer.com/members/evr/reg_event.php?orgcode=WHOC&evid=5011101

Friday, May 21st 10am

http://www.chamberorganizer.com/members/evr/reg_event.php?orgcode=WHOC&evid=5012323

With this program in place, interested members are able to get to "Step One" without a big expense so they can leverage the value in "Going Green" as both a marketing and practical tool for lowering costs.
The object is to support the promotion of a healthy environment. Before members are allowed to participate in the Green Business Chamber of Commerce, they must pledge to do the following at their business or organization:

1) Comply with all business regulations
2) Conserve energy and other valuable resources
3) Implement procedures to reduce pollution and waste
4) Be environmentally aware within their community
5) Constantly work to improve the conservation of resources and reduction of waste

We are excited about this new frontier and will keep you posted on our further developments.