Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What is a Universal Business Listing?
A Universal Business Listing is a service that allows you to enter your critical business information one time and have it posted to all the major Online Yellow Pages, Search Engines, industry directories and 411 directory assistance.
Most of these sites allow me to load my information for free, so why do I have to pay?
There are dozens of important directory sites that you would have to send this information to and the process can take many hours. We set the price low enough that it is cost effective for the time of even a small business. We also have to manually load the information if a directory does not take it electronically.
Can I see the process before I pay?
Yes. Simply create an account (just a name and email address) and start creating a listing. You will see the entire process except the checkout payment process and of course the distribution. You can see a step by step video walkthrough of the listing process in the following video. Please note that it is a large file in Windows Media format: http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/210134/UBL_Walkthrough_listing.wmv
What Search Engines and Directories receive the data?
We send the business profiles to all the major Search Engines and Directories, such as Google, Yahoo, MSN, Superpages and Yellowpages.com. It also now includes 411 Directory Assistance and GPS navigation devices as well as OnStar. This list is constantly expanding as we add more distribution, but you can view a current list here.
Can I control where the listings go?
We have provided options for some sites to be deselected from the distribution, but a principle of UBL is to make the data freely available to all legitimate Search Engines and Directories in our industry in order for the business listings to be universally distributed. You may, of course, still claim your listing on individual sites if you prefer.
How soon will my information start appearing?
Some directories will change the information within days or weeks, but others do not refresh their data for a month or two. We cannot control that, but we can assure you we will make the data available to them within a day or two of you sending it to us.
Will the directories use all of the data I send?
No, most will use only the data elements that they typically publish. Some only publish bare minimum data such as phone number and address, but increasingly they will publish the enhanced data you provide.
Will old listings be removed or updated?
We cannot guarantee that a directory will be able to match an enhanced listing like this to their existing data, but we will provide every piece of information to ensure they can do so if at all possible. This includes a date stamp so they know that the information came directly from the business and is most likely fresher than their standard data sources.
Who will see this data and how can I be assured of my privacy?
You should ONLY provide information that you want the public to have in order to contact you. We will not share this information directly with marketers or non-directory entities, but we cannot guarantee that the information will not be read online and used for this purpose. Of course the credit card payment information will be held securely and not made public.
How often can I make changes?
As often as you wish through the account login. Remember though, that the directories will not update the information so regularly.
Why can’t I buy a posting for multiple years?
This is to make sure you check your listing for accuracy at least once a year to better serve you and the public. It also assures you that there will be no auto-rebilling activity in place.
Why is there a renewal fee?
Many directories and data providers require re-listing the data
annually, so we have to repeat at least part of the process. Some
directories remove listings if they are not actively updated – it also
helps keep data fresh and information about your business accurate.
What if I do not renew?
If you do not renew after the notices we send, your record will be
removed from, our “active” file that we provide to the directories.
Different sites and distribution partners will treat deactivated UBL
listings in different ways according to their policies. Some may keep
the listings active and some may delete the record, and this is beyond
our control. UBL will not actively ask the publishers to remove the
listing unless you ask us to (if the business is closed or relocated,
for example.)
What is your return policy?
Our return policy is that all sales are final.
What is your contact information?
Universal Business Listing
Attn: Customer Support
7810 Ballantyne Commons Parkway
Suite 300
Charlotte, NC 28277
EMAIL: contact@UniversalBusinessListing.org
PHONE: +1 408-413-3828
