Where are all the businesses?
April 5, 2010 10:21 AM Subscribe
Finding companies in my area? Sounds like a simple task but it's kinda not.
We're trying to find companies in our area that might have a need for my husband's rather specialized skillset, and I'm trying to find a free or low-cost web resource to find companies in a specific geographic area. And my google-Fu must be mighty weak, cause all I can find are subscription-based directories. What resources can we use to find companies in a specific geographic location? Bonus points for a web-based resource, as most of this is done after hours.
We're trying to find companies in our area that might have a need for my husband's rather specialized skillset, and I'm trying to find a free or low-cost web resource to find companies in a specific geographic area. And my google-Fu must be mighty weak, cause all I can find are subscription-based directories. What resources can we use to find companies in a specific geographic location? Bonus points for a web-based resource, as most of this is done after hours.
maps.google.com
Search for the type of company near your address.
posted by Jacqueline at 10:30 AM on April 5, 2010
Search for the type of company near your address.
posted by Jacqueline at 10:30 AM on April 5, 2010
Response by poster: We're in Charlotte. The state has a rather antiquated search engine that only supports name searches (thanx, NC Sec State!).
posted by tigerjade at 10:32 AM on April 5, 2010
posted by tigerjade at 10:32 AM on April 5, 2010
I use linkedin for this exact purpose. You can search search terms the company uses to describe itself and location. It also includes the number of employees, so if you see a company with a small number of employees, it is likely they could use your help. After assembling my list, I check out the webpage to see if there are other services they may need and to obtain contact info.
You may also want to put your name (plus company) on linkedin - I've landed some great clients this way (and you can put a link to your own comapny webpage, too).
Does it need to be local? National and international companies are on there, too. You don't mention what your husband's skillset is.
posted by Wolfster at 11:00 AM on April 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
You may also want to put your name (plus company) on linkedin - I've landed some great clients this way (and you can put a link to your own comapny webpage, too).
Does it need to be local? National and international companies are on there, too. You don't mention what your husband's skillset is.
posted by Wolfster at 11:00 AM on April 5, 2010 [1 favorite]
This may sound strange, but I've found that the yellow pages (the actual printed phone directory) is still more useful than most web search tools at locating businesses in specific categories that are actually in my geographic area.
posted by zombiedance at 11:05 AM on April 5, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by zombiedance at 11:05 AM on April 5, 2010 [2 favorites]
You might want to ask your library if they have any databases for this. Some of those subscription databases are available via your local library. Also tell them what you want to use it for so they can direct you to the best one and give you a little lesson on how to use it effectively.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 11:22 AM on April 5, 2010
posted by rabbitrabbit at 11:22 AM on April 5, 2010
Often the only internet listing I can find for small businesses in my area are on things like Merchant Circle and Manta. I also just found Brownbook which looks like a similar thing.
This also seems like one of those things that you're supposed to be able to "ask a librarian" for, and they'll put out some kind of big hard-copy directory from the records section. I've never done that, but maybe try it.
posted by thebazilist at 11:22 AM on April 5, 2010
This also seems like one of those things that you're supposed to be able to "ask a librarian" for, and they'll put out some kind of big hard-copy directory from the records section. I've never done that, but maybe try it.
posted by thebazilist at 11:22 AM on April 5, 2010
This also seems like one of those things that you're supposed to be able to "ask a librarian" for, and they'll put out some kind of big hard-copy directory from the records section. I've never done that, but maybe try it.
Ha! In my library, they would pull up the Business and Company Resource Center database and plug in your criteria. Then you would get a printout of dozens of matching businesses.
Call your local library and ask for a reference librarian with business knowledge.
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posted by General Tonic at 4:25 PM on April 5, 2010
Ha! In my library, they would pull up the Business and Company Resource Center database and plug in your criteria. Then you would get a printout of dozens of matching businesses.
Call your local library and ask for a reference librarian with business knowledge.
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posted by General Tonic at 4:25 PM on April 5, 2010
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Co. Library has a subscription to Reference USA, a sort of super-directory of businesses in the US. You can search on all sorts of criteria, including industry, location (by ZIP, MSA, county, state, etc), company size, number of employees and a bunch of other things.
I once helped a woman search for taxi/limo companies in the greater Washington DC metropolitan statistical area with less than 10 employees for a business solicitation she was going to send.
posted by clerestory at 4:54 AM on April 6, 2010
I once helped a woman search for taxi/limo companies in the greater Washington DC metropolitan statistical area with less than 10 employees for a business solicitation she was going to send.
posted by clerestory at 4:54 AM on April 6, 2010
Sorry, forgot to mention that it is online (see here in the business section), but you will need a library card.
posted by clerestory at 4:55 AM on April 6, 2010
posted by clerestory at 4:55 AM on April 6, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
There's Linked In, too. It's pretty easy to search for relevant companies and contacts by keyword.
posted by lunalaguna at 10:28 AM on April 5, 2010 [1 favorite]