Movers and Shakers: Sarasota-Manatee Business Coalition to Bolster Online Traffic for 36,000 Businesses

BRADENTON – More than 36,000 businesses throughout the Tampa Bay region are now receiving increased online exposure following the completion of a pivotal phase for the Sarasota Manatee Business Coalition’s business directory.

Google has now completed its indexing of the massive online directory, which lists almost every existing business throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties. Completion of the indexing process means a search engine “boost” for every business listed in the directory, says SMBC founder Gregg Anderson. No other business organization in the Tampa Bay region provides a similar business development and marketing opportunity.

“We are already seeing a difference,” Anderson says. “Within the first week of our newly indexed directory, impressions grew from a few hundred to 10,000. This increased exposure provides an external business link for each listed company and is a boon for the entire Tampa Bay business community.”

Anderson compiled the directory using numerous resources for existing business and networking organizations. He and his staff at Digital Image Business Solutions, the company he owns, worked for 18 months to confirm and update information such as phone numbers, addresses and primary/secondary industry product and service codes.

Businesses with websites will find their search engine “boost” from the directory most dramatic, Anderson says. But even businesses that do not have websites will now have an increased chance of showing up in online searches.

The Sarasota Manatee Business Coalition is a nonprofit group focused on bolstering economic prosperity and promoting future growth in our region through a digital strategy that includes the directory, and through pursuit of funding for business education and training. Membership is open to businesses and individuals in Manatee and Sarasota counties and throughout southwest Florida.

For more information, including how to become a member, go to www.smbusinesscoalition.org.