SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN TODAY!

Directing Customers Your Way

The Chamber's online Hong Kong Business Directory is a gold mine of information and opportunities. ALFRED CHAN explains how members can get the most benefit from what is often praised as one of the best business directories in town

On an average day, the Chamber's Hong Kong Business Directory gets just under 10,000 hits, making it the most popular section of the Chamber's Web site.

The directory basically provides a platform for businesses to reach Chamber members and pursue possible business cooperation. But according to the Chamber's Senior Director for Operations, Dr YS Cheung, the service expands far beyond that of a basic directory.

"Companies can use the directory as a shop window to not only promote their products and services, but also the image of their business," he said.

For example, by using the online updating system, COMIUS, members can update and maintain the information about their companies online themselves whenever and as often as they wish.

"So if members take the time to add the information, they can in effect have their own company Web site hosted by the Chamber," he added. "Members can even name their directory page to provide fast access to its customers (e.g. http://www.chamber.org.hk/BRAZILBANK/)."

Some of the most accessed member pages on the directory are the richest in content. Companies that put photos of their CEO, company logo, products or factory, company background and activities into the directory are telling visitors much more about their company, promoting their business, and helping visitors feel comfortable about contacting them.

Members can also take that one step further and set up an online catalog carrying photos and details of their products using the Chamber's e-Catalog service, which members can try for free for three months. If they use the free press release hosting service, or paid newsletter service, they will also have a link on the release linking to their directory records.

"The more members put into this free service, the more they get out of it. If you simply put your company name and contact details, who in all honesty is going want to do business with you?" Dr Cheung asked. "But if you explain about your operations, your products and services, have a photo of the CEO, your office, and product samples in the e-Catalog, then visitors would be much inclined to contact you."

Obviously, not every enquiry results in business transactions, but Mr Cheung estimates that eight out of every ten enquiries results in some form of business cooperation. This may be a new supplier of Christmas decorations, for example, or could even be proposal for a joint venture.

"You never know who is out there looking for just the product or service you have," he says.

Alfred Chan is the Chamber's Information Technology Manager. He can be reached at, alfred@chamber.org.hk