This guide is provided in two parts, the first for the general user for browsing and searching the directory, the second part is for business that wish to join our directory and become a part of the dogsites.com.au Business Directory.

While we provide all other services free we do have some elements of the Business Directory that have a small annual fee for listing in the directory.  These assist us to maintain and cover server costs for the dogsites.com.au website.

Browsing

The Business Directory button will take you to the main Business Directory home page.  The Back button (not displayed on Business Directory Home Page) allows the user to simply go back a page to view the previous page, the same as your back button on your web browser. The Search button takes you to the Directory search featire (see below).  Add Entry is for businesses to add their details.  The Help button brings up this page.

The Business Directory is arranged in several categories, simply select a category to browse through the entries in each category.

Business cards are displayed as s summary of information of a Business's details, selecting any of the Business cards (anywhere in each box) will brig up the full details of that business.  Please note you must be member of our website to view contact details, this is done to reduce the possibility of email and contact details harvesting.

Searching

Searching within the Business Directory can be done in two main ways, one being via the main dogsites.com.au search found on the left hand side navigation menu and the in-built Business Directory specific search function.

To access the Business Directory specific search simply select the Search button from the top navigation links, a screen like this will appear.

The top section is simply a text box that allows you to enter your search terms, such as type of services or products, name or really anything else.  You can also search for locations within this field.  You can then select to find any of the words, all of the words or the exact phrase, which can be useful if searching for a specific product and location.

That is pretty much it for browsing and searching so enjoy and we hope you find it useful.

Business Members Guide

This guide is provided for members of the dogsites.com.au website to register a business in the directory and how to edit their entries.  Please only list an entry if you are n actual business that provides some form of product or service that is dog related.

A business may only list once, however a business may list in multiple categories (up to 4).  Please note this does not mean you have to or need to list in all 4, please ensure you only select the correctc ategory to which your business belongs to.  We will delete duplicate entries without notice.  Repeated double entries will result in all entries being deleted without notice.

Please also note that all entries made are reviewed by dogsites.com.au and we also encourage users of our site to advise us of any inappropriate use.

All members should ensure they read our Terms of Use before submitting their details on our Business Directory.  Any members entries found to not meet the terms and conditions will have their entries deleted without notice.

OK, now the formalities are out of the way let me now show you how to use the Business Directory editor system. 

You must first be a member of dogsites.com.au so if you have not created an account yet please do that now.

To add an entry select the Add Entry button from the navigation menu.

The editor screen will now appear where you can add your details.

Business Name/Title is the official name or titile of the Business

Postcode, or zip code, depending on what country you live in is the code for your area to which is the main postal address for your business.

Suburb/County is the suburb or county (or similar) that your business resides in, usually your head office.  If you service other suburbs and counties please feel free to add that within the description.  please enter place names in full to assist in search results.

City, or Town to which your head office resides, please enter it in full.  If your business resides or services other cities please feel free to add those details to the description.

State is the state your head office resides, please enter it in full.  If your business resides or services other states please feel free to add those details to the description.

Country is the country your head office resides, please enter it in full.  If your business resides or services other Countries please feel free to add those details to the description.

Postcode is your zip of location postcode for your area

Email, should be already entered for you, if not enter your real email address, it is encrypted when displayed to reduce the chance of spam harvesters getting your email address.  This email address should be one that people can contact you or someone related to your business for any queries.

Website, you can add your website hwoevr there is a small annual $10AUD fee for this, please tick the provided box and then enter your website address, payment details wil be provided after you submit your entry.  Your entry will remain unpublished until the payment has been cleared. 

Contact Person should be the person normally contactable for your business. 

Phone, a contact number for peoplewanting to contact you via telephone

Mobile for your mobile phone contact number

Fax is your facsimile number if you have one

Short description field, this is limited to 200 characters and is only displayed on the Card view not the details view.  This should be used to give a short summary of your main description that will encourage users to click on your card to view the full details.

The Description field enables you to add content about your business and other related information.  We do not restrict you to a limit of content so feel free to add what you need.  Formatting is provided with the toolbar as provided.

A card photo or logo as well as a main entry image/photo can be added to your entry for a small additional fee of $5AUD each per year.  If you wish to add either of these to your entry select the tick box provided and then locate the image you wish to use by selecting the browse button. 

Please note that the file size for each image must not exceed 250kb.

The next two entries are for Meta Keywords and Meta Description.  These assist your entry to be found in searches by the Business Directory search, the dogsites.com.au search and also when search engines like Google index the dogsites.com.au website.  Do not repeat the same words if it can be helped, use words and a description that do depict exactly what your entry is.  Again miss-use will result in your entry being deleted

To enable individual entries to be slightly different from each other we have provided a number of different background colours for you to choose from, select the colour you wish to have your entry displayed in, if you don't like it you can change it later.

The following box is probably one of the most important sections, this is the categories to which your entry will be tied to.

You will notice that you can select up to 5 categories, however only the first one is for free.  You are welcome to add your entry to multiple categories (as long as your business is related to them) for an additional $5 per category per year.  If we do not have a category you think we need to add please let us know and we will happily add it.

Please be sure to only add your entry to the appropriate categories.  Please be aware if we notice or we have been reported to about entries being in the wrong category we will delete all entries, including those in the correct ones without refund of any money paid and without notice. 

To select the category simply select it with your mouse and then click on the '>>>' button to add it.  If there is a category with a small '+' (plus) sign nest to it, select it to open up the subcategories.

To be listed in the Directory you must have read and understood and now agree to the terms of use.  If you are agree to the terms of use please select the terms of use select box.  Your selecting this confirms your agreement in whole to our terms of use.  

Now you can save your entry by selecting the SEND button as shown here 

If you have selected any of the fee based options you will now be provided the detils of teh costs and payment options.  Your entry will be held unpublished until your payment has been cleared through direct deposit or Paypal.

Once your entry is published it will be listed for 1 year, you will receive a notice to renew your entry when it is nearing expiry.

Please allow up to 72 hours for your entry to be approved and published.

After it has been published your entry will display an Edit and Delete button to allow you to edit your entry as required or if you want to delete your entry.  Please note your entry if deleted is not actually deleted, it is placed in a suspended status, this is done to cover any accidental deletions, all suspended entries are fully deleted after 60 days.

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