SHUSTIR

Shustir is an online business portal in which local, small business can create an online "storefront," showcasing products sold, ratings, improving internet search visibility, and providing some e-Commerce functionality. Shustir gives local retailers, service businesses, consultants and start-ups instant, new power to market themselves on the web. That kind of power has been in short supply - until now. Forty-four percent of small business owners don't have a web site. And many who do have a... virtual cabin in the woods - a nice place that's tough to find. That's a shame, since 92 percent of regularly online consumers surveyed said web research led them to buy something locally. (Source: WebVisible/Nielsen Online.) Shustir member businesses can log on anytime to add or edit content and photos, respond to a consumer's comment or question, update their blog - even upload a virtual video tour of their store or products. E-commerce functionality is available at a modest $25 monthly fee. A small business on Shustir is instantly more visible to consumers through Shustir's own searchable marketplace, and through Google and other major search engines. Shustir handles the optimization - often too costly for a standalone small business site, but the most critical element in getting found via search, or not.More