Understanding a Business Listing Page

Every business in the directory has its own page. Some pages are packed with photos, menus, and offers, while others show only the basics. This guide explains what you are looking at and how to use everything on the page.

The Top of the Page

At the top you will usually find the business name, logo, category, town, and star rating. Look for two things in particular:

The Claimed label. This means the owner has verified the listing and is looking after it. Claimed listings are more likely to have current hours and to answer messages
The open status. If the business has entered its hours, the page shows whether it is open right now, which saves a wasted trip

Contact Details and Map

Phone number, address, website, and email are shown where the business has provided them. The map shows the exact location, so you can check parking and surroundings before you go.

If a business shows a town but no street address, it usually means they travel to you rather than having a shop you visit.

Description and Photos

The description is written by the business itself. Photos may include the storefront, the products, completed work, and the team. Scroll through them, because they often tell you more about whether a business suits you than the text does.

Opening Hours

Where hours are listed, you can see the full week rather than just today. Hours are entered by the business, so around holidays it is worth calling ahead.

Reviews and Ratings

The star rating is an average of reviews left by registered users. Below it you will find the written reviews and, where the owner has replied, their responses.

Reading the responses is genuinely useful. A business that replies thoughtfully to a complaint usually treats problems well in person too.

Reviews marked with a verified badge come from confirmed customers.

Special Offers

If the business is running promotions, they appear on the listing. Offers show what you get, any conditions, and when the deal ends. Some include a coupon you can claim and present in store. See our guide to finding and using offers for more.

Events

Businesses that host events show them on their page, with dates, times, and details. You can often subscribe to an event so you have a record of it.

Menus and Price Lists

Restaurants, cafes, salons, and many service businesses publish a menu or price list. This is one of the most useful sections on any listing, because it answers the question people are usually too polite to ask on the phone.

Buttons You Might See

Contact or Send a message. Sends a message to the business through the site. Useful outside opening hours
Request a quote. Sends the business the details of the job you need doing so they can price it. Include as much detail as you can, since it saves a round of questions
Order or Add to cart. Some businesses sell products, gift certificates, or tickets directly. You pay through the site and collect, or have it delivered, according to what the listing says
Bookmark or Save. Adds the business to your saved list so you can find it again. You will need an account for this
Share. Sends the listing to someone else, which is the easiest way to recommend a local business to a friend
Report. Flags a listing that has something wrong with it, such as a business that has closed or details that are clearly incorrect

Other Sections You May Find

Team profiles of the people who work there
Projects or portfolio galleries of completed work
Videos showing the business or its products
Testimonials collected by the business
Memberships and certifications, which tell you the business is licensed or accredited
Attachments such as brochures or price sheets you can download
Other locations, if the business has more than one branch

If Something Looks Wrong

Directories go out of date when businesses change hours, move, or close. If you spot something incorrect, use the report option on the listing or contact the Buy it Local.US team. It takes a moment and it helps the next person.

Getting Help

If a listing seems to be missing something you expected, it may be that the business has not filled that section in, or is on a plan that does not include it. Contact the Buy it Local.US team if you have questions. More guides are in the Support section.