New feature - external linking!

You can now have links within your posts that go to a coupon, website, or your events page. This creates a ton of new ways for you to use the site. Try it out and let us know what you think. Thanks!

New home page and post detail pages

We just updated the home page and search page listing views! What changed?

1) Bigger pictures

2) Easier to read - you can tell the business name, poster name, and post details much easier

We just updated the post details pages - much, much better! What changed?

1) Everything

2) No easily choose to follow a business, a single location for that business, or the poster

3) Bigger pictures, smaller map

4) Easy sharing on Twitter, Facebook and via email with our "Share This" button

5) See all other deals and events for that location in a single view

PRO Business, Events Category Added, National Launch

After a few months of quiet testing in Austin, TX wantANDfound.com is launching nationally. Additionally, we have unveiled our business model with the launch of the PRO Business account. Other new features include an Event category, enhanced search options and overall site optimization.

wantANDfound.com is a FREE local business listing service that has sales, specials, discounted services and events. We cover local businesses such as retailers, restaurants, bars, grocers, clubs, venues, and spas.

The platform allows local businesses to list their specials in one place and have it instantly spread to many (web, Facebook and soon mobile). Our unique social-shopping platform also creates a place for consumers to share and save – allowing them to post and share deals on the site that they find while out shopping in their community.

New PRO Business account features (see details at www.wantANDfound.com/pro):

1. Post recurring specials (Happy Hour Every Tuesday 5-7).
2. Link back to an external website, Yelp!, events page or coupons.
3. Set Live and Expiration dates for specials and events
4. Manage multiple locations and have multiple account users
5. Full business profile page along with location profiles. Includes photos, business and location descriptions, and more. The business profile page shows all locations mapped out for that business along with all specials for each location of the business.

We are sponsoring Austin Twestival

We are proud to be sponsoring the upcoming Austin Twestival. It will be held on Sunday, September 13th 2009. It is benefiting a great cause Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Come out and join us or spread the word!

Welcome Newsletter

We sent our our first semi-monthly (we hope monthly, but can't make any promises) newsletter. Lot's of great tips-and-tricks and other info. Read it HERE.

Great article on shop local movements.

CNN.com article HERE. Great examples on shop local movements. Lots of good ideas and websites. Check it out and start your own local revolution in your community! Let us know what you like, what is working and how we can help.

Great CNN.com video on local

Not only does this look like an amazing community coffee shop and space in Brooklyn, but they raised local support and money in a unique way.

Video on shopping locally

Here is a great video on shopping locally in Austin. Enjoy - LOCAL IS HERE!

FREE Friday

Tomorrow is Friday and that means FREE Friday. We are switching it up, so more people win, more businesses benefit and you don't have to drive crazy.
Here are the details:
1) We will give away 5 $20 credits to any local merchant with a posting on the site on Friday
2) These will will go 5 different site users
3) How to win? Simply email LOCALISHERE@wantandfound.com with the answer to the post.
4) First 5 win. Get ready!

New Profile Page

New profile pages are up. See who you are following, who follows you and the latest deals on on your dashboard.

It's a family thing.

First of all, a huge thank you to one of our partner companies in launching this site - Doc's Austin (MotorWorks, Backyard and Drafthouse). They are posting some awesome specials, and just gave us some prime sign space on South Congress!

Here is our highly trained and motivated by a free soda work force hanging the sign (my kids).

Thanks to all for your support and supporting wantANDfound.com and all the great local businesses.

We are on twitter!

You can now follow us on twitter. Get the latest super-secret local deals, know what we are up to and follow other local movers and shakers. Follow us on twitter HERE.

Launch787 + wantANDfound.com

Launch787 just put up a great announcement about wantANDfound.com being THE place to find the best local deals - read it HERE. And, while we are giving a shout out, check out Launch787 for the latest super cool events in Austin.

New Features!

FOLLOW
You can now follow your favorite stores! And, you can follow your friends that know how to shop and find the best deals - SHARE & SAVE.

Simply click "Follow This Poster" and you will have your own personal dashboard to see the latest and greatest local deals around you.

RATE
Ratings are now up! You can rate a post - just roll over the stars on the post details page and rate away. The better the deal, the better the rating. So if you want your posts to get to the top, post amazing deals!

NetworkInAustin + wantANDfound.com

Scott Ingram (founder of www.NetworkInAustin.com) just put a great shout-out to us in his weekly email.

NetworkInAustin is a great resource for all the local networking events, how-to seminars and other great opportunities to get involved with the Austin business community. Check them out, lots of great stuff going on.

Where we got our cool shirts!

We are almost out of our first run of shirts - people love them. We went with an American Apparel track-T - made in USA, sweat free in LA. They are great to run it or have drinks at Imperia or Paggi, Austin is very casual after all.

We had them printed locally right here at Aztec. Great operation. We went on a full tour and learned all about screen printing - it is definitely an art and a lot more work than we ever realized.

We are getting more shirts made, so let us know if you want one.

Ausitn Business Journal writes about us!

The Austin Business Journal just published a great article in today's edition on promotional websites and all the action that is happening here in town. Lot's going on with great companies and teams. Read it here. And, then get on board and join the local revolution!

Austin.com + wantANDfound.com

Great news. Austin.com and wantANDfound.com have announced a partnership. wantANDfound.com will power local shopping features on Austin.com. Together we will be charging forth supporting local businesses in Austin and helping consumers save money and support the local businesses they love. Read the article here.

Austin Chamber of Commerce announcement

The Austin Chamber of Commerce just announced the launch of wantANDfound.com - read it here. We are grateful for the shout out and happy to be part of the Chamber and such a wonderful business community.

My experience with So.A.P.

So, I was thinking - how do I start the blog for wantANDfound.com? A brief history of where this idea came from, what we are all about? No, that is on the website. A blog should be about thoughts, experiences, emotions...reasons we do what we do. Okay, but where to start. I was thinking this and then my doorbell rang...right around dinner time. I figured it would be someone selling a magazine, so I opened the door a bit hesitantly. Standing there was a smiling, happy, friendly middle-aged woman with a few bottles of lotion and soap. I had no idea what was going on.

She then informs me that my wife had ordered these from So.A.P., a local Austin company that does indeed make some amazing soaps and lotions that my wife loves. And, that she was in the area and wanted to drop these off right away. She goes on to state "These are from my baby boy, thank you so much for supporting his company. We really appreciate your business!" We chatted for a minute, shook hands and she smiled and drove off. This is at 7:30 on a Thursday night.

My wife got the product she wanted (at a very reasonable price - about the same as any chain lotion you may purchase), I met a wonderful woman and we supported someones "baby boy" right here in our town - someone that was building a business, living a dream and creating jobs while delighting customers...with his Mom. That is what local business is all about. That is why wantANDfound.com exists.

So, I can't think of a better story to tell or way to highlight what we are all about than this. Enjoy and go start a local business revolution! Thank you for supporting all sorts of baby boys and girls out there doing good and building communities while they build their dreams.