--- title: How to Search and Find Local Businesses - Buy it Local.US author: webiedesign url: https://buyitlocal.us/support/directory-users-help/how-to-search-and-find-local-businesses --- # How to Search and Find Local Businesses ## Finding Local Businesses Buy it Local.US exists to help you find the businesses in your own community, run by your own neighbors. This guide shows you the quickest ways to find what you need, whether you know exactly what you are looking for or you are just browsing. ### The Quick Search The fastest route is the search box on the home page. It has three parts: - **Category.** Choose a broad category such as Restaurants, or open it up and pick a specific subcategory such as Pizzeria - **City.** Narrow results to the town you are interested in - **Search.** Type a business name or a word describing what you need, such as plumber, haircut, or lavender You do not have to fill in all three. Choosing just a city shows you everything in that town, which is a pleasant way to discover businesses you did not know existed. ### Browsing by Category Choose **Business Directory** from the main menu to see all categories laid out. Each main category opens into subcategories. For example, Food and Dining contains Bakeries, Bars and Pubs, Caterers, Coffee Shops and Cafes, Food Trucks, and Wineries. Browsing works better than searching when you are not sure what you want. If you need help with your house but do not know whether you need a handyman or a contractor, open Construction and Contractors and look at what is there. ### Browsing by Town If you would rather start from where you are, use the locations menu to see everything listed in a particular town. This is useful when you are visiting somewhere, or when you want to keep your spending close to home. ### Searching by Name If you already know the business, type its name into the search box. If nothing comes up, try a shorter version of the name. Searching for lavender will find La Center Lavender Company even if you do not remember the full name. ### Using the Map The **Business Map** link in the site footer shows listings plotted geographically. This is the best option when you want something close by rather than something specific, or when you are unfamiliar with an area and want to see what is near where you will be. Individual listings also show a map of their location, so you can see exactly where you are going before you set out. ### Narrowing Your Results Once you have a list of results, you can refine it further using the filters shown on the results page. Depending on the category, you may be able to narrow by location, rating, or other details. If you are getting too many results, add a city. If you are getting too few, remove one of your filters and try a broader category. ### Search Tips - **Use the words you would say out loud.** Search for leaky tap rather than plumbing remediation services - **Try both broad and narrow terms.** Hair and barber will turn up different listings - **Check a neighboring town** if your own has nothing. Many local businesses happily travel - **Look for opening hours** on the listing before you set out. Listings show whether a business is open right now - **Read a few reviews** rather than only the star rating. The written comments tell you far more ### If You Cannot Find What You Need The directory grows as local businesses join. If a business you love is not here yet, use the [Suggest a Business](https://buyitlocal.us/suggest-a-business) page to tell us about it. We will add it, and the owner can claim and complete the listing later. It costs them nothing and it helps everyone find them. You can also tell the owner directly. Most small business owners are glad to be pointed at a free way to be found. ### Why Local Matters Money spent with a local business tends to stay in the community, supporting local jobs, local suppliers, and the local tax base. Choosing a nearby shop over a distant warehouse is a small decision that adds up across a town. That is the entire point of this directory. ### Getting Help If search is not returning what you expect, try a simpler term and fewer filters first. If you are still stuck, contact the Buy it Local.US team. More guides are in the [Support](https://buyitlocal.us/support) section.