A new program that allows small businesses to have a web presence at no cost has been launched by HelloMetro.com, a network of local search websites based in 650 cities, and having over three million visitors monthly. A micro-site can be created and customized by a small business within 20 minutes. Customers, visitors and online inquiries 24 x 7 x 365 can access a web address for these sites. Video and digital images of products or services can also be uploaded on these free websites.

    Anyone can search these HelloMetro.com small business micro-sites on their local internet site. Free advertising is also a benefit offered for small businesses, as their company's logo is placed on a rotation in the upper left corner of the HelloMetro Network sites. As the site has an overwhelming traffic volume, namely three million unique visitors monthly as compared to the more usual number of 300,000, it could be very beneficial for small businesses to set up a website on a HelloMetro local portal.

    Clark Scott, President and CEO of HelloMetro.com, stated: "Many of the 3,500 small business owners who are currently taking advantage of the HelloMetro.com micro-sites have told us they are already generating additional leads from the increased visibility of their website. The micro-sites are really a win-win for both our company and our small business partners, as we benefit from the relationships and the small business benefits from the complimentary web presence and increased online visibility. Many times, this small business micro site setup will rank higher in the search engines than the actual full website that the company may have started a year ago, thanks to HelloMetro.com's high ranking in Google."

Among the small businesses that have joined HelloMetro.com are:

*   http://www.hellochicago.com/ChicagoChimney.cfm
*   http://www.helloindianapolis.com/HollyhockHill.cfm
*   http://www.helloboston.com/furniturestore.cfm
*   http://www.hellobaltimore.com/stairlifts.cfm
*   http://www.hellodenver.com/atilenation.cfm

    Creating a small business micro-site is quite easy. Visitors can view the local HelloMetro Network city guide, namely "Sign Up for a Free Account". Visitors will be given instructions. After completing the sign-up process, personalized text, special features, products, images of products and services, and streaming video or a commercial describing the business can be uploaded. Small business can now choose from ten custom templates that are available as backgrounds for their micro-sites.

    Small business blogs are also available on HelloMetro.com, allowing online networking among business owners and staff within individual cities. A Yellow Pages and White Pages directory is also included in HelloMetro.com city sites. Among other features that can be consulted are job postings, real estate information, up-to-date area lottery results, local weather and sports scores, area restaurant and attraction guides, local history guides, movie show times, and printable city brochures, maps and event calendars.

    www.HelloMetro.com supplies a list with the 650 HelloMetro.com websites. In order to view individual city websites, you can type in the URL "Hello" plus "Your City Name" plus ".com", such as  www.HelloNashvillecom, www.HelloPhoenix.com, www.HelloIndianapolis.com, www.HelloPhiladelphia.com.

    Due to sections of local history, attractions, real estate, jobs, Yellow Pages, local resources and other partner sites providing information in particular subject areas, the opportunity of getting familiar with their cities is given to users. Among the locally-oriented city information websites included in 650 list are: www.HelloVegas.com, www.HelloHouston.com, www.HelloCincinnati.com, www.HelloSydney.com, www.HelloDallas.com. Having competitors such as CitySearch.com, YellowPages.com, Google.com (Local Search) and Microsoft's new Local.Live.com, HelloMetro.com often takes the third place in the top of city searches.