Frequently Asked Questions

Using TrueLocal

1.1 What is TrueLocal?

TrueLocal is the one place where you can search for a business in your local area and be sure to get the results that are the most relevant to you. What’s more, TrueLocal is updated weekly to ensure our listings are current and accurate.

1.2 How do I use TrueLocal?

Using TrueLocal to find a business is easy. If you know the type of business you’re after but not the name of the actual business, just enter one or more keywords that describe the business in the "Search for" box. Next, enter the postcode or suburb you want in the "In" box. Then just click on the "Search" button.

If you know the name of the business you’re looking for, simply enter it in the "Search for" box and check the button next to "Business Name". Then enter your location and click on "Search". If you’re in business, you can have your business listed inTrueLocal free of charge. To submit your listing, just complete our online form, or call 1300 133 774 to find out how you can make your listing even more prominent.

1.3 How does the Browse Categories option work?

The Browse Categories search on the TrueLocal homepage helps you find the type of business you need in the area you want. Just follow these easy steps:

1. Click on first letter of the type of business you’re searching for.
2. Once the categories page has appeared, choose the sort of business you’re looking for.
3. Once the regions page has appeared, click on the relevant region.
4. Once the suburbs page has loaded, click on the suburb you want. This will list all the businesses in your chosen category that are found in the selected suburb.

Search Results

2.1 How are businesses matched to my search?

TrueLocal uses a sophisticated system to match businesses to your query. It prioritises all the information about each business (such as location, business type, products, services and brands) to decide which businesses are most likely to meet your needs.

The most relevant businesses will always be placed at the top of the list. You might notice that businesses with more detailed listings often appear higher in the search results. This is because the search algorithm has more information to match the search criteria the user has requested.

2.2 Why aren’t there any businesses matched to my search?

• Misspelt keyword, business name or suburb - When searching, it’s important to ensure you’ve correctly spelt the keyword, business name and location you’re looking for. A misspelt word can lead to no results or irrelevant results.
• The keyword you’re using doesn’t match any businesses - If the word or name you’re entering isn’t commonly used, there mightn’t be any business listings including those words. Try using another word or more words for your search.
• The specified location isn’t recognised - If the location you’re searching for isn’t recognised it will also affect your results. If you’re using a street name or suburb, check the spelling. Alternatively, use a postcode for a suburb. You could also try expanding the area that you’re searching for by entering a state rather than a suburb or street name.

2.3 Why don’t my results match the location I entered?

If there are no businesses that match your keywords in the location you specified, TrueLocal will try the surrounding suburbs and keep expanding the search area until we get a match. If your keywords are unusual, this may be some distance away, but it’s still more helpful than no results at all.

2.4 How can I reduce my results to only the ones I want?

If you search using a common keyword, you may get results from a range of different business types. You can then use the "Narrow by Business Type" feature on the left hand side of the results page to filter out the kinds of businesses that don’t meet your needs.

2.5 Why do I get results from across Australia?

Some suburbs appear in a number of states (e.g. there are "Brightons" in Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria). If you enter a place name like this, you’ll get an alert at the top of your results with the chance to filter your results by state. If you know your location is a common one, you can include the state in your original search (e.g. enter "Brighton, SA")

2.6 What does "Sort Alphabetically", "Sort by Most Info" and "Sort by Most Relevance" mean?

There are a number of ways your results can be sorted and displayed when searching for a business on TrueLocal

• Sort by Most Relevance - This is the default sorting method where the results that most closely match your search criteria are displayed first.
• Sort by Most Info - When you click on this button, the businesses listed are re-sorted so that the ones that provide the most information are listed first.
• Sort Alphabetically - This option allows you to order the listed businesses alphabetically, from A to Z.

2.7 Why do some listings have a newspaper logo and not others?

Businesses that are listed in TrueLocal and also advertise in one of our community newspapers will display the logo of the newspaper they advertise in. This is to help you identify those businesses that advertise in your local paper.

Business listed in TrueLocal

3.1 How can I have my business listed in TrueLocal

If your business isn’t already in the TrueLocal directory and you’d like to have it listed, simply fill out our online form and it’ll be included just as soon as your information is confirmed.

3.2 How do I update my business details?

If the information for your business is incorrect or has changed, you can update your details by completing our online form. We’ll then update this information as soon as we confirm your details.

3.3 How can I have my business listing removed?

If you would like your business to be removed from TrueLocal, just call the TrueLocal team on 1300 133 774.

Giving your business greater prominence

4.1 How do I improve the position of my business in people’s search results?

A Priority Listing lets you add more information to your listing to ensure it’s returned in more search results. In addition, when a number of businesses are equally relevant to a search, your Priority Listing will appear at the top of the results. For more details about our premium products, call 1300 133 774 to speak to a member of the TrueLocal team.

4.2 What are Sponsored Results?

Giving your business the prominence it deserves, Sponsored Results are ads that appear on the right hand side of the TrueLocal results page and relate specifically to the search terms entered by the user.

Sponsored results allow you to promote your business to people who are actively seeking the services or products you provide. To find out more, call 1300 133 774 to speak to a member of the TrueLocal team.

4.3 How do I advertise in my local paper?

Another way to promote your business even more effectively is by including a print ad in our wide network of community papers. To discover how to reach even more of the people who need what you’ve got to offer, call 1300 133 774 to speak to one of the TrueLocal team.