Move Inc. (formerly Homestore) today launched WelcomeWagon.com, featuring an online local business directory that combines information about local businesses and service professionals with consumer reviews and special offers for movers and their neighbors.
Businesses that advertise in the Welcome Wagon Gift Book receive premium placement in the new business directory and can enhance their online listing with special offers, Web site addresses, e-mail addresses, logos and business descriptions, the company said.
The gift book is distributed to millions of movers in more than 2,600 communities each year,
Using the new Web site, more than 12 million business listings are searchable by keyword and address, city and state, or ZIP code. Users can narrow down their search by selecting from more than 3,700 business categories.
Consumers can read and write reviews, and make recommendations about any local business. Interactive maps at the new site allow users to plot multiple businesses, zoom and scroll, and easily access more information, including special offers.
The site also includes articles home improvement and money-saving techniques, among other topics.
In addition to Welcome Wagon, Move operates real estate search site Move.com and Realtor.com, which is affiliated with the National Association of Realtors. Move also operates Moving.com, SeniorHousingNet.com, Homeinsight.com, Factorybuilthousing.com and Homeplans.com.
Move recently changed its name from Homestore and launched a new Web portal at Move.com. The company’s shares (Nasdaq: MOVE) were trading at $4.67 this morning, down 2.3 percent from the previous day’s close.