OCBN's Questions & Answers

The OCBN is the most inclusive, easy-to-use online directory of Oregon coast businesses; we list every business on their respective community pages, and a link to their web site if they have one. We are also now working on adding phone numbers.

What is the purpose?

To be the "go-to" place on the web for finding Oregon coast businesses; a free resource for residents, visitors, and business entities.
To promote Oregon coast businesses.
To provide low-cost effective web design services.

This network can provide a means for potential customers to locate and get quick information about a business on our coast. Also, many existing publications are geared toward visitors, tourists, vacationers, and recreational residents. While they will find this site helpful to them, it's mostly geared toward our coastal full-time residents. The other huge advantage to your business is the fact that you can communicate information to all your existing customers quickly and easily, i.e.: special promotions, manufacturer recalls, remodeling notes, etc.

We already have a web page. How would a membership in your network be helpful?

Your OCBN web page provides a valuable link to your website.
Since it is a network, the more members there are, the more traffic will come to the site, and thus yours.
Your page on the Network is a simple-to-navigate, simple to read page, easily printed out if your customer wants to keep your information handy. Most websites are not designed with this function in mind.
More than web page design, you also get listed in the monthly newsletter that is mailed to all Network members, and others. In this way, your business gets more than internet exposure.

My business doesn't need design services at this time. But can we have a link from your site?

Links are FREE from community pages. However, the exposure is only helpful if people know the name of your business. Enhanced Link Membership creates much greater exposure for your business. The $90 yearly fee (or $25 quarterly) will link your business by type, member list (especially for members who want to support other members), list of locations, and category list from the community pages (Lincoln City used for this example).

What's the benefit to business owners?

Up-to-date webpage. You can contact us at any time to have simple edits made, or to update a photo and other information.
Trouble-free. Business owners don't have to find, design, and pay for a website if what they need will work on just one page.
Saves time - and everyone knows time = money, especially in business.

What if I want more than one page?

We can do that! Several flexible plans are available. Contact us, and we'll set up an appointment to go over what you are looking for. Cost will depend on how many pages you want, how much content there is, how often you want it updated, etc.

I don't have computer access. How could this work?

Not a problem - you may not be "online" yet, but your business can be! The phone number and any other contact information you want will be on your business's page. An email address is not necessary (though it is recommended). We can send you a hard copy of your page any time changes are made, so that you have it for your records or correction. You may not be on the internet, but a growing number of consumers are. Don't be left behind!

There's a lot of people who design web sites. Why choose you?

See our "Compare" page for more details.

Rising Starr Enterprises is a full-service designer. From hosting to maintenance, you can be worry-free.
We won't just design your page and leave you out there. We will keep it appealing so that people will come to it more than twice. It isn't enough to have a site - it must be viable (that is, with accurate changes and up-to-date information).
We give special attention to grammar and punctuation, which makes you look more professional.
Cost-effective - Not only do we design web pages, we can provide services from photography to setting up a merchant account.
We charge a monthly fee to maintain your web presence, not an hourly rate (modifications within limits). Triton level is an exception, but includes two hours worth of edits per month.

Oregon Coast Businesses Should Stand OUT, Not Alone

Site Questions

Where do you get the information about businesses for your directories?

We get business names from many sources, but the primary ones are the Oregon Labor Market Information System (OLMIS), Chambers of Commerce, telephone books, community newspapers, coastal magazines, driving by a business, word-of-mouth, requests by businesses ("please include us"), referrals and networking. Obviously, a lot of time is put into making this the most complete and accurate business directory for the Oregon coast. If you see a site that appears to be copying our directory, please let our webmaster know so it can be checked, to make sure it isn't infringing on our copyrights.

What makes the OCBN Directory different from others?

There are many directories on the web, focused on the Oregon coast. But most have several limitations, and here's a work-n-progress rundown of the main differences between "them and us":

Oregon Coast Business Network (OCBN)	Other Sites
We include all businesses, from eateries to landscapers. We try to list everyone, because you never know who you're going to need.	Many focus on just the tourism industries: hotels, restaurants, etc.
We show all clients' web pages and sites, whether we created them or not.	Webmasters may showcase their own web pages, but not others.

Do you plan to do any more directories, other than the Oregon Coast?

Perhaps, if time permits. At this time, the building of the site is all we have time for!

Why do you have a "Notice to Web Designers, Publishers, et al" on the community pages?

The compilation and maintenance of the directory takes untold hours of research, using myriad resources, both online and off. It is a copyright-protected intellectual property. Professional designers and publishers know that it is theft to copy the content of another site, but as we know, not everyone on the web is professional or ethical.

There is a faux business listed on each community page to provide proof if such theft occurs. In that event, Rising Starr Enterprises will take legal action. We hope this will not be necessary.

However, you are allowed to print out the directory for your own use. If you have any question about whether the use you have in mind is allowed, please ask us! Write to rising_starr@oregoncoastbiz.net and we will be happy to answer any questions.

What are your sources of information?

We use many sources to compile our info. Here's a partial list:

Oregon Labor Market Information System Business Information Center	Community Newspapers' Advertisements and News Articles	Radio Advertisements	Chambers of Commerce Business Directories
Telephone Books, both printed and online	Personal Knowledge	Networking Opportunities	Online Searches
Visitor Referrals	Visitor Requests (prompts a search for the business, or type of business)	Business Owner Requests ("please include me")	Magazines and Other Periodicals

It's about time someone put it all together, isn't it?!