Tags: local search, Los Altos, MerchantCircle, MerchantCircle Verified, Nielsen/NetRatings

Three-Pronged Verification Process a First in Local Search

Los Altos, CA April 3, 2008 – MerchantCircle, the largest online network of local business owners in the nation with more than 385,000 members, today announces its “MerchantCircle Verified” program, a web service designed to increase consumer trust in local search results. The program is specifically designed to help local business owners compete with established brands during difficult economic times.

“I live in a farming community, where’s there’s a recession, not a lot of revenue and the local traffic has died off – MerchantCircle has allowed me to keep my store going with the help of customers outside of Archer who find me on search engines. Their new verification process will help them trust that I’m a legitimate business as well,” says Tina Elmore-Wright, owner of Scents of Peace in Archer, FL.

“We’ve done a lot of research with our merchant base, studying the effects of the down economy on their businesses and we wanted to do something to alleviate consumer fears about the web,” says Darren S. Waddell, Sr. Director of Marketing at MerchantCircle. “MerchantCircle Verified will boost trust in local merchants and better enable them to compete with national brands on the web.”

The “MerchantCircle Verified” is based upon a three-pronged verification process that includes: submission of detailed business information, aggregated reviews and ratings across the web, and peer-to-peer endorsements from other local business owners. Merchants who qualify for the “MerchantCircle Verified” program will receive a special badge on their business listing, indicating a higher level of trustworthiness. Priced to be accessible to all small businesses, the program is immediately available to the more than 14 million merchants on the web.

According to a recent Nielsen/NetRatings survey, 78% of respondents said they used the internet more today than 2 years ago. With this dramatic change in consumer behavior, merchants need to develop an effective online strategy to attract customers. This new program is another example of MerchantCircle’s dedication to providing simple, effective ways for local merchants to succeed online including:

· A trustworthy, professional-looking, easy-to-use web presence

· Strong rankings in local search results

· Effective online advertising solutions

To learn more about “MerchantCircle Verified”:

http://www.merchantcircle.com/corporate/landing/getverifiedbadge.html

Other News:

* ServiceMagic partnership – ServiceMagic, an operating business of IAC, has partnered with MerchantCircle to provide more consumer leads to merchants in local communities. The company connects homeowners with prescreened and customer-rated home service professionals.
* Local Directory Submission – Through its partnership with WebVisible, MerchantCircle members can now get their listings submitted to all major local search directories with the click of a button.
* LocalPlus – MerchantCircle members can now expand their business exposure to multiple regions as opposed to just the community in which they reside.

About MerchantCircle

Founded in 2005, MerchantCircle is the largest online network of small business owners in the nation, combining social networking aspects with a customizable web listing that allows merchants to attract new customers. More than 14 million MerchantCircle business listings across the country are easily accessed on major search engines.

Currently, over 385,000 merchants on the MerchantCircle network upload pictures, blog, build coupons, and newsletters, while also connecting with other business owners. MerchantCircle gives business owners the power to manage their online reputation by aggregating reviews and increasing visibility across the web.

MerchantCircle is located on Main St. in downtown Los Altos, Calif., and is funded by Rustic Canyon Partners, Scale Venture Partners, Disney’s Steamboat Ventures and IAC. Learn more at www.merchantcircle.com.