Grayson Carroll Galax VA Directory needs help!

High Mountain Designs is in the process of getting a directory for all Grayson County VA, Carroll County VA, and Galax VA businesses and organizations together and up on the web as a way to, hopefully, help stimulate the tourist industry and make others, as well, aware of the area's businesses.
I need your help in locating the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all businesses and organizations in the Twin County area. This directory is to include the area from Troutdale, Whitetop, Flatridge, and Elk Creek in Grayson County to Sylvatus, Dugspur, Laurel Fork, and Cana in Carroll County. I plan to include all civic, community, and non-profit organizations, and all businesses, whether they work from home or have an actual business location. This means everyone from the summertime lawn mowers to the largest industries in the Twin Counties, as long as they are actively trying to make it a lasting business.
As this project will never be completed without assistance from the people that it's meant to benefit, I'm requesting anyone who is not listed in the phone book Yellow Pages, or in the Grayson, Carroll, or Galax tourism directories to send an email or postcard to me with your business name, address, phone number, website and/or email address, and a 1 or 2 line description of your business. Phone calls don't work well as I am frequently away from the phone.
This basic listing is free to all businesses and will include an active link to your website or email address if I have the information. A small amount of paid advertising space will be provided on each page, but advertising is not a requirement for your free listing. These listings are not really advertising, just a little free internet exposure for your business. Many businesses will be listed multiple times under different categories.
I'm sure most everyone would be interested in seeing the type of site where their info is going to be posted before giving an OK. The site has just been recently started and is by no means complete. That's why I'm requesting help. To see what it is and what it looks like, please click here : http://www.graysoncarrollgalaxva.com.
There is a "Submit Site" button on each page or , if you prefer a postcard, the mailing address is : High Mountain Designs 4838 Fries Rd. Galax, VA 24333.
Thanks in advance for your help, and I truly hope this directory will benefit your business.
Dave
High Mountain Designs

Message to Vendors - Spring Time has arrived in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Spring time has finally arrived in Southwestern Virginia. The calender says so, the flowers beginning to bloom say so, the trees beginning to put out leaves say so, and the campgrounds and bike rental shops opening say so, too.
Now is the time to be getting those new websites built and up so that you can be sure of your site being indexed by the search engines in time to catch some of the early visitors and weekend vacationers.
Easter, Mother's Day, and Memorial Day are all coming up in the next 6 weeks. People will be out in force looking for lodging, campgrounds, things to do, and places to do them at.
It doesn't have to be a lot. It doesn't have to be gigantic. It doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars. Just a 1 or 2 page site, well designed to be search engine friendly so that it will be indexed in the search engines in time to help these travelers find your offerings. You're going to miss potential customers if they don't know in advance where you are and what product or service you offer. It's not the same as it was when gas & diesel were 50 cents a gallon. More people want to know where they're going before they get there so fuel and those precious vacation minutes aren't wasted just riding around looking for a place to stay or something to do. Think about it...don't be left out!

There's still time to get your website built and indexed by the search engines before the vacation season really gets started, but not a lot of time.

Show the World What You Have to Offer

Small businesses and organizations counting on the tourist season for your livelihood, now is the time to prepare. Don't wait until the visitors and vacationers have come and gone without ever knowing that your business or service even exists.
Sure, the local people know where you are and what you offer...and they're a substantial source of income. But, the more your business is publicized, the more people will know who you are and what you have to offer them, and the more potential customers will contact you even before they arrive. That gives you an advantage that you shouldn't pass up.
With a website, you can let people know about your business. List relevant aspects of your operation, photos, directions, and contact information. It will help you and your customers - you'll have some idea of who to expect and when, and the vacationers won't have to spend valuable minutes or hours searching for you.
If you consider your business a part of the tourist industry and count on out-of-town clients for a portion of your income, a quality website is the way to go. After all, it is the World Wide Web!