ReachLocal has continued its efforts to add sticky usage for small businesses and diversify beyond reselling Google with the launch of “Bizzy” in New York, San Francisco and Dallas. Bizzy itself, which has a 21 person team, was launched by ReachLocal in early 2009 and is headquartered in Mountain View, CA. It is being held separately from SMBLive/CLoud Profile, an SMB company acquired by ReachLocal in February.
In addition to offering a Bizzy city directory, the site offers SMBs with a variety of marketing tools, as well as several ways to communicate with customers’ “commercial graphs.” The site, which is the latest of several social directory type sites (i.e. AT&T’s Buzz.com, etc.), has no overt association with ReachLocal.
Consumers can use Bizzy to save offers and make lists of businesses that can send them updates, tips, offers and special invitations through a Bizzy Feed. Information can be shared with friends via email, Twitter or Facebook – or consumes can interact with consumers that have similar tastes. Consumers can also use Bizzy to engage with business owners on a public wall or privately.
“Personal relationships and great customer care are the main reasons customers love the businesses they do, and local businesses are all about that,” said Bizzy GM and President Gadi Shamia. “Owners know that the success of their business revolves around keeping their customers happy, but they have no effective tools to accomplish this when the customer leaves the store.”