The Business Improvement District is moving away from an annual printed map, to an online directory aimed at tourists and residents.
Maps to guide tourists this season will still be distributed through other groups, but BID wants to focus on helping people shop locally for all their needs, said Tim Walsworth, executive director of the district.
The BID maps historically focus on restaurants and tourist-focused retail shops, but the online directory will be able to include all businesses downtown and on north Main Avenue such as architects and accountants.
“By taking this online, we’re able to represent that part of the constituency a lot better,” Walsworth said.
The BID had printed a map for about ten years, but this year the money is being dedicated toward the free directory, that will function on computers, tablets and cellphones.
The free directory is going to be searchable by keyword, so users can look for certain products, and it will be far more comprehensive than the maps.
Each individual business listing contains a description of the business, hours of operation, links to websites and social media, address and a map, phone number, and in most cases photos of the business and the items it sells.
The printed maps sometimes had old or dated information, and that will not be a problem for the directory.
“When something is wrong you can change in a heart beat,” he said.
The directory is going to be launched Memorial Day weekend. So far, about 100 business have entered information in the directory.
BID is hoping 100 more businesses provide information before the site launches. Eventually, BID plans to include all the businesses that the district represents in the directory.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
To list a business
The Business Improvement District’s directory is free for businesses in downtown Durango and along north Main Avenue. The directory will be launched Memorial Day weekend.
To list your business visit http://www.downtowndurango.org/downtown-durango-businesses
