Submission Instructions

and Guidelines

For Listings on VisitMO.com

 

 

 

You must submit your own business, attraction, destination or event to be listed on VisitMO.com. There is no charge for listings. All listings must conform to the Listing Criteria (see the link on the start page). Listings may be updated as often as you like. Listings not updated for 18 months are deleted without notice.

 

We highly recommend all new listings be submitted by the business owner/manager, and all existing listings be transferred to the business owner/manager. We recommend listings not be maintained by a Chamber of Commerce, CVB or Association. The business owner is much more familiar with the operation and has a bigger stake in the accuracy of the information.

 

Procedures have changed. It is important that you follow these instructions when you update/submit a listing. Incomplete/incorrect submissions will not be approved; new listings that do not meet the criteria will be rejected.

 

 

New users: Click “Register.” Fill in the blanks to create a User Profile. It is imperative that you keep a record your Username and Password for future reference. It is vital that you keep your User Profile current, especially the email address.

 

Previous user: Login using your existing Username and Password (they are case sensitive). You will see a list of all of your existing listings and events. Select the “NEW,” “COPY,” or “EDIT” button.

 

 

NEW:  You will see a list of categories. Choose the one under which the listing will appear (as determined by the Listing Criteria). Click the category; then select the specific type under that category. If more than one applies, choose the one which fits best.

 

COPY:  From your list, click a listing you want to repeat (a recurring Event; another location with the same basic information, like a hotel chain; etc.). Wait for the screen to refresh; then click ‘copy.’ The system will make a copy of the original listing. You may then change any pertinent information to fit the new entry. Click ‘submit.’ NOTE: for an annual Event, do not Copy; wait until the current event is over, then ‘Edit’ that listing for the next year.

 

EDIT:  To update an existing listing, click that name in your list; wait for the page to refresh and the Description to appear; click “EDIT.” (You will not see the Category page. To change the category/type, email: )

 

 

The Listing Input Pages

 

Note: If any text field is blank, fill it in. If the information is the same as shown elsewhere, enter it again; do not say “same,” “see above,” et cetera.

 

 

THE BASIC INFO PAGE

 

NAME:

This should be the name of your business or event, not your name. Do Not Use an ampersand (&) or quotation marks. Franchise/chain establishments should include the city in the name (Best Western-Jefferson City; Bandanas BBQ-Columbia).

 

EMAIL:

The email address for the contact person of this business or event.

 

WEB SITE (URL):

Read and agree to the Linking Policy by checking the proper box. (Pay close attention to item 2.) Links that do not meet the criteria will be removed.

 

NOTE: Since an email address or URL is not case sensitive, it is nice to capitalize each word (not the .com or .org, etc) so it is easier to read. Examples: www.ThisIsMyWebsite.com;

 

PHONE / FAX:

These requirements apply anywhere a phone number is entered.

Enter only one number. If you have a toll-free number, use it. Do Not include the leading 1- on any numbers. Must be in this format: 573-555-5555, ext.100 (dashes only; no parentheses, slashes or periods.) We do not post words in phone numbers; please convert to numbers.

 

DESCRIPTION:

See specific instructions below for various Categories/Types.

Proofread your work for correct spelling, punctuation, grammar and syntax.

 

General Description Instructions (applies to ALL Descriptions):

The Description box should include an adequate description of your business/event. Think from the visitor’s point of view. What does the visitor want or need to know. Tell them about your business/attraction/event: what there is to do; why would the want to come there; any restrictions; location, et cetera. If you are closed certain days (Christmas), say so. If you are a rural location, give some basic driving directions from the nearest landmark or major roadway.

 

We do not allow terms like “close to,” “nearby,” “walking distance,” “short distance to,” et cetera, because these terms have no real meaning. Give an actual distance in blocks, miles or realistic travel time.

 

We do not allow terms like “newest,” “largest,” “most friendly,” et cetera. If you must say that, say “one of the . . . .”

 

If you have been given an award/designation (Most Romantic Inn in the Midwest), you must include the name of the organization and the month and year the award was given. If it was more than a year ago, leave it out.

 

You may include specific admission prices. Be specific; list by age group. Do Not say seniors, children, students, et cetera. ($15; age 60 , $12; ages 2-17, $10)

 

Hotel / Places to Stay Specific Description:

Include information about the facilities; type of rooms; smoking policy; parking; location, et cetera. For a Bed and Breakfast Inn, include type of breakfast served and whether bathrooms are private or shared.

 

VERY IMPORTANT: Jacuzzi is a brand name and registered trademark; it is not a generic term for a whirlpool tub. It is against trademark laws to say Jacuzzi if your tubs are not actually Jacuzzi brand. Use terms like jetted tub, whirlpool bath, or hot tub. If you actually have Jacuzzi brand tubs, you must say all three words: Jacuzzi brand tubs. (This law also applies to Sea-Doo; Jet-Ski; Coke; Kleenex; Xerox; Saran Wrap; and all other Brand Names.) Be careful. You can be sued for trademark infringement.

 

Dinning / Drinking Specific Description:

Include the type of food and any specialties; is there a bar/lounge; anything unique about the establishment; seating capacity; is group seating available (if so, for how many); is there outdoor seating; smoking policy; are reservations required or recommended; et cetera.

 

Services and Transportation Specific Description:

Be specific about the services you offer.

 

Event Specific Description:

Note: events cannot be posted more than one year in advance of the ending date.

Tell what goes on; list the activities; are food and beer/wine venders available; parking; any age restrictions; et cetera. (Avoid saying “. . . and much more.” Tell us what the “more” is.) Always include the name of the venue (at the Jones County fairgrounds).

 

Golf Tournament Specific Description:

The number of players per team; male, female or mixed; format (scramble, best-ball, etc.); tee times or shot-gun; is food included; is the cost per person or per team; dress code (including spike restrictions); et cetera. Give the name of the charity, institute or civic organization which the proceeds benefit.

 

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Must be the actual opening and closing times for attractions or events -or- office hours for lodgings and service businesses. You may say: 24 hours; sunrise-sunset; by appointment only. Always include a.m. or p.m. Do not include the :00 on even hours. Say noon or midnight rather than 12 a.m. or 12 p.m. List by day of the week (not date) if different. Do Not say “call,” “see Web site,” “various,” “seasonal,” “all day,” et cetera.

 

(Examples: Mon.-Fri., noon-8:30 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m. -10 p.m.; Sun., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; or, Daily, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; or, By appointment only: Mon., Wed., Sat. only, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; or, Office Hours: Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.)

 

LOCATION ADDRESS AND MAP:

This has to be the actual street address (not a P.O. Box, not just a street name, not just an intersection).

 

NOTE: We change roadway designations (Highway; Hwy; CR; County Road; U.S. Hwy; et cetera, to Route.

 

If your business or event has no actual location ‘address,’ give the Route #, or pick an address nearby or one in mid-block and include driving directions in the Description. Rural locations may use a mail delivery address: RR., RFD, etc. (RFD 5, Box 31).

 

Note: Location Address #2 is for a suite or unit number.

 

The city must be the city where this attraction/event is actually located. (See “towns and cities list” instructions below.) As you type, a city a list will appear, getting shorter as you type. When you see your city, click it. A list of Zip codes will appear. Click yours. (If your Zip code is not on the list, select the nearest one and email .)

 

You cannot enter the LAT, LNG. The mapping system will do that automatically.

 

After you enter or change the address, you need to click “Map It.” The flag will move to the address you entered and the GPS (LAT/LNG) will be filled in.

 

Moving the Map Flag: If the flag pointer goes to the wrong place, you can move the flag. Place your mouse on the flag and drag it to the correct location. (If you place the pointer on an area other than on the flag, you can move the entire map in the same way.) If you move the flag, the GPS will change but the address will stay the same.

 

MAILING ADDRESS:

The Mailing Name may be a person or business name. The address may be different from the location address. It may be a P.O. Box. Here you may use Highway, Hwy, CR, County Road, et cetera.

 

Mailing Address #2 is for a suite, apt. or unit number, or a C/O name.

 

 

All other information on the BASIC INFO and the KEYWORDS pages:

 

The interactive, cross-referencing and search features of VisitMO are driven by the Keywords and Attributes you select for your listing. If your listing is not accurately updated, it will not show up where you want it.

 

It is VERY IMPORTANT that you check ALL of the Attributes and Keywords which apply (only those that apply) to your business.

 

Open ALL, let me say that again, ALL of the drop-down lists by clicking the double arrows. DO NOT assume a list does not apply. (Some drop down lists contain other drop down list.) Open all lists to be sure. Checkmark any and all of the choices that apply. The activity/attribute must be readily and easily available to your customer. It does not have to be available at your business. Do not check any specific keywords that do not apply, but look at them all. Do not push the envelope.

 

(Note: Some of these lists will differ based upon the category/type under which the listing appears.)

 

If you select a ‘nearest commercial airport,’ you must enter a distance. The distance is to that airport, NOT the local airport.

 

Lodging Establishments MUST include a High and Low rate ($) in the “room rates” drop-down. If you have only one rate, put it in both boxes.

 

TOWNS AND CITIES LIST:

On the Keywords page, pay special attention to the “towns and cities” list. This is where you associate yourself with nearby towns and areas. You may check other towns that may be convenient to your business.

 

(Examples: if you are in Hollister, Rockaway Beach, Walnut Shade you could select Branson; in Maryland Heights, Earth City, St. Charles, checkmark St. Louis; Berger and Rineland may select Hermann.)

 

 

CONTENT PAGE

 

You may upload photos (as many as six). There are no size or format restrictions; however, some photos may not load. (I suggest you copy your photo to your Desktop first.) Click ‘Add New’ and follow the instructions shown. If more than one is downloaded, you must select which is to be the Default photo.

 

Note: Currently, only the ‘default’ photo will appear on VisitMO. We plan to add a module which will display additional photos. Once we do so, all of your previously loaded pictures will appear.

 

 

ASSOCIATIONS PAGE

 

My association to other listings:

You may add other listings in your area that may be of interest to your customers. Click ‘add new.’ Enter a word from that business’s name and click ‘search.’ Select the one you want and click ‘save.’ You may add several. Links to the listings for these businesses/events will be shown on your listing’s page.

 

Managing Editor / Contributing Editor List:

These are the people who have access and can make changes to this listing. The “Managing Editor” is the person with primary responsibility for the listing. All communications from the Division of Tourism will go to the listing manager. You may add Editors following the same basic instructions shown above. The new editor must first have a User Profile.

 

 

 

FINALIZE PAGE

 

Here you will see a ‘history’ of the last several times this listing was updated, the date and by whom. Other information will appear there as needed.

 

Once you have completed all information, click “Submit Your Listing.” Your listing will go into a processing area until we edit and process it. You will get an email telling you whether we have approved, approved with changes, or denied (we will include the reason) the submission. (If denied, you do not have to start from scratch. The listing will remain in your User file. You simply open it, make necessary corrections and submit.)

 

Please be patient. We are very busy, so it may take several days to edit and approve your submission.

 

If you have an Event that is happening within three weeks, and you have not received an “Approved” email, contact and request a quick approval.

 

Listings which have not been updated for more than 18 months are automatically deleted without notice.

 

Keep your listing(s) and your User Profile (especially your email address) up to date.

 

 

Questions, problems, comments? Send a detailed email to: