I actually had lunch with a
ClickitySplit person recently. I don't believe he used the term "Visual Marketplace" but that's what the local search site uses as its tag. The idea is that local businesses post updateable "billboards" on the map. Whose map? WebProNews says it's Virtual Earth and the logo appears on the map. The website FAQ notes: "Our proprietary map control allows you to zoom in and de-cluster the dots that signify business locations."
No matter the tech, the challenge I think is to convince mom and pop and chains that they need to be on the major serach engines and thus in their local searches and ALSO be in all these other player's offerings. There's quite a chicken and egg thing, too: surfters won't visit unless the maps are well populated and mortar-based stores and restaurants won't buy billboards unless there's traffic.
- WebProNews
FYI, Navtq is one of ClikitSplit's biggest supporters. We are in talks with both Navteq and TeleAtlas to provide our mobile phone maps.
Our patent pending map control is exactly what our FAQs state. And the maps and the map control should not be confused. ClikitySplit only uses Navteq maps; then our techology does amazing things on that map via our map control.
Lastly, ClikitySplit is the only site that provides effective local search and marketing. Search engines have always struggled with how to tap into local search. Google is once again trying to find a way to mine this huge market. ClikitySplit already provides the "magic bullet" for local search.
Jim Clouse
Founder/CEO
http://clikitysplit.com/