Introduction
There are different ways to enhance a member listing, so that it appears higher in the directory or has more information. Before exploring those ways, it is important to understand how the directory works.
The Directory
The flow of activity starts with searching or browsing, then the results page, and then the details page.
Search: When someone visits the directory, they can choose a specific category (or all categories), and search for listings that have a specific keyword or profile name. If there is one result, it will go right into the details of that listing. If there is more than one result, it will present a results page.
Browse: Another option, instead of searching, is to browse a specific category. After clicking "All Categories" (at the top) and then clicking on a category, it will present a results page.
Results: The results page will show listings, pulling information from different parts of the profile (if those parts are defined). For example, the phone number, address, and short description.
Where the listing appears and what information appears will depend on the Listings tab of the profile:
- If it appears will depend on the Active checkbox.
- Where it appears will depend on the listing position.
- What will appear will depend on the listing level.
Details: The Details page will pull information from different parts of the profile (if those parts are defined). For example, the phone number, address, and long description.
The details page can show a lot more information than the results page. What will appear on the details page will depend on the details listing level.
Enhancing the Results Page
Click here for a list of every field in the results and where they can be defined in MC Trade.
A basic listing in the results will offer contact information including phone number, address, and website. You can move a listing higher up, include more information, or move it to the top and add a callout line (a vertical line) to draw even more attention.
- Find and edit the profile.
- Click on the Listings tab.
If more than one listing was created, they will appear as tabs along the top.
This is NOT a breakdown of the "Listings" tab, but focuses on the options that enhance a listing.
Listing Category: When a visitor searches the directory, they may choose a specific category. If a visitor browses, they will have to choose a category. So, for either case, ensure that this is the correct category.
Keywords: When a visitor searches the directory, they will enter one or more keywords. So, evaluate the keywords. You can enter more than one (no separator is necessary).
Assume the keywords are residential commercial industrial construction. The listing will appear when someone searches for residential, or for commercial, or for industrial. It will also appear when someone searches for industrial construction. However, it will NOT appear when searching for residential construction. Those are both in the list of keywords, but they are not together.
One tip is for some of your keywords to be alternative spellings of the profile name or a former name. For example, Alpha Centauri is also known as ACC and their former name was Lunar Edge so, in addition to listing their services, ACC and Lunar Edge would be good keywords.
Listing Position: This determines where in the list it should appear. Level 1 offers the highest exposure.
Listing Level: This determines what information will appear when looking at the results page.
Level 5 offers all possible features.
- The short description can offer important information (level 3 and above).
- The logo is a great way to grab attention and show your credibility and brand (level 3 and above).
- The callout line will appear next to items at the top of the results page (level 5). This will override the listing position, so even if the listing position is level 9, a listing level of 5 will push it back to the top with the callout line to grab attention.
| Information | None | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 |
| Address | |||||
| Web Address | |||||
| Affiliation Icons | |||||
| Phone Number | |||||
| Social Media Links | |||||
| Logo | |||||
| Products And Services | |||||
| Short Description | |||||
| Callout Line |
After choosing the appropriate level, please verify that the desired information has been filled out in MC Trade. Click here for a list of every field in the results.
Click Save and Continue Editing at the top when you finish editing.
If you want to return to the Profile view screen, click Save Profile.
Enhancing the Details Page
A basic listing on the details page will offer contact information including main contact name, phone number, address, map, website, and custom fields.
You can, however, add more information depending on your configuration.
- Find and edit the profile.
- Click on the Listings tab.
If more than one listing was created, they will appear as tabs along the top.
Details Listing Level: This determines what information will appear when looking at the details page.
Level 5 offers all possible features.
- The long description can offer important information (available at level 3 and above).
- While the products and services can be included in the long description, the "Products and Services" area can offer better visibility (available at level 4 and above).
- The logo is a great way to show credibility and brand identity (available at level 3 and above).
| Information | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 |
| Main Contact | ||||
| Phone Number | ||||
| Address | ||||
| Map | ||||
| Web Address | ||||
| Affiliation Icons | ||||
| Custom Fields | ||||
| Social Media Links | ||||
| Long Description | ||||
| Logo | ||||
| Image Carousel | ||||
| Products and Services | ||||
| Embedded Video |
After choosing the appropriate level, please verify that the desired information has been filled out in MC Trade. For a list of these fields and where they can be defined in MC Trade, click here.
Some other elements to consider:
- The image carousel, available at level 4 and above, allows images to be shared for transparency. Visitors can click on the arrows to move between images. These images allow you to showcase the company's operations, employees, and more to create credibility and a personal connection.
- An embedded video (level 5), like the image carousel, creates credibility and a personal connection.
- If you offer directory ads to your members, you can add them and they will appear on the side of the directory. In the example below, there is a promotional ad for Crazy Carl's restaurant. These will appear on the results page as well as the details page.
- Custom fields will only show if configured ("Available on Website"). In the example above, this construction company wanted to show its contractor ID.
Click Save and Continue Editing at the top when you finish editing.
If you want to return to the Profile View screen, click Save Profile.