Submission Instructions and Guidelines

For Listings on VisitMO.com

 

If you are using a Mac computer with the Safari browser, it may not be compatible to this site. (The problem is in Safari, not our system.) Download the Firefox browser (free) at www.mozilla.com/firefox and use it to access our Industry Portal.

 

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.

 

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. These organizations do a great job, but they are very busy. The business owner is much more familiar with the operation and has a bigger stake in the accuracy and timeliness of the information. To have a listing transferred, contact .

 

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.

 

Yes, we know this seems to be a long and involved process (the first time). However, for your listing to receive the full advantages of the interactive features and search functions, and new features and planned features we will be adding, the submission must be completed correctly.  

 

New users: Click ‘Register.’ Fill in the blanks to create a User Profile. (New users will not have access to any existing listing until that listing is transferred to them.)

 

Previous user: Login using your existing Username and Password. If you have forgotten your Username/Password, send an email request to: . (Cannot be given over the phone.)

 

Existing listing, click Edit in the ‘update or enhance an existing listings’ box; you will then see a list of the Listings and Events to which you have access. Click the name of the listing, wait for the page to refresh and the Description to appear; click Edit; complete the form according to the Instructions below; click Submit on the Finalize page.

 

New listing, select a category and type (category only for events) for your submission (choose the one which fits best as determined by the Listing Criteria). Complete the form according to the Instructions below; click Submit. You will be given the opportunity to complete the Extended (enhanced) Form. It is highly advisable you do so, in order for your listing to show up in all of the search features of the public site.

 

Copy (rarely used). From your list, click a listing you want to repeat (another location in the same category, with the same basic information, like a hotel chain; etc.). 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.

 

 

 

The Listing Input Pages

 

 

Do not use the ‘back’ button on your browser; you will lose all of your work. To navigate in the Extended Form, use the ‘continue’ button, or the ‘icons’ located along the top of the page.

 

Do not use ALL CAPS anywhere in the submission.

Do not use an ampersand (&) anywhere in the submission. (Some browsers interpret the & as the beginning of programming code and change everything that follows to gibberish.)

 

THE BASIC INFO PAGE

 

NAME:

This should be the name of your business or event, not your name. Do not use the & sign, @ symbol or quotation marks. Franchise/chain establishments should include the city (Best Western - Jefferson City; Bandanas Barbecue - Columbia).

 

EMAIL:

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

 

WEB SITE (URL):

Read the Linking Policy (pay close attention to item 2.) Indicate you have read and agree by checking the proper box. URLs that do not meet the policy will be removed.

 

NOTE: Since a URL is not case sensitive, it is nice to capitalize each word (not the .com or .org, etc) so it is easier to read. Which is easier to read/remember? www.thissiteismywebpage.com or www.ThisSiteIsMyWebPage.com.

 

PHONE / FAX: These requirements apply anywhere a phone number is entered.

Enter only one ten-digit number. If you have a toll-free number, use it. Do not include the leading 1- on any numbers. Use dashes only; no spaces, parentheses, slashes, asterisks or periods.) We do not post words in phone numbers; please convert to numbers.

 

DESCRIPTION:

Be thorough but brief. The idea is to give them enough information that they will click through to your Web site for details. Proofread your work for correct spelling, punctuation, grammar and syntax.

 

General Description (applies to all Descriptions):

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/months (Christmas, Nov.-Feb.), say so. If seasonal, give specific months (do not say, summer, winter, et cetera). If you are a rural location, give some basic driving directions from the nearest landmark or major roadway.

 

Note: We are not allowed to use 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. (Next door, adjacent, across from, etc. are ok.)

 

We cannot use terms like “newest,” “largest,” “most friendly,” “easy access,” “conveniently located,” “premier...,” et cetera. (You may say “one of the largest ...”)

 

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

 

Include admission prices. Do not say seniors, children or students; give specific age groups ($15; age 60 , $12; ages 2-17, $10)

 

 

In addition to the info above, include the category specific info outlined below.

 

Hotel / Places to Stay Specific Description:

Include information about the facilities; any special types of rooms; unique features; views; et cetera.

 

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 applies to all brand names, including Sea-Doo; Jet-Ski; Coke; Kleenex; Xerox; Saran Wrap; et cetera.) You can be sued for trademark infringement.

 

Dinning / Drinking Specific Description:

Include any specialties; is there a bar/lounge; anything unique about the establishment; is group seating available (if so, for how many); et cetera.

 

Event Specific Description:

Tell what goes on; list the activities; are food and beer/wine 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). If in a rural area, include some driving instructions.

 

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); where/how to register; et cetera. Include the name of the golf course. Give the name of the charity, institute or civic organization which the proceeds benefit.

 

Services and Transportation Specific Description:

Be specific about the services you offer.

 

HOURS OF OPERATION:

Must be Hours! List by day of the week if different. 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. Do not say: “call,” “see Web site,” “various,” “seasonal,” “all day,” et cetera.

   Attractions, Dining / Drinking: the opening and closing times.

   Lodging / Bed and Breakfast / Campgrounds: front desk or office hours (when the public can contact you).

   Events: the opening and closing times for the overall event.

   Service and Transportation businesses: general office hours.

 

(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:

This must be an actual address. (cannot use a P.O. Box; not just a street name; not 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,’ pick an address in mid-block, or give the Route # and include driving directions in the Description. Rural locations may use a mail delivery address: RR., RFD, etc. (RFD 5, Box 31).

 

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 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 .)

 

LOCATION MAP (does not appear in the Quick Entry form)

You cannot enter the LAT, LNG. The mapping system will do that automatically. When you ‘submit,’ if you get an error “LAT is a required field,” it is because you did not do the next step (Map It).

 

After you enter (or any time you change) the address in the long (enhanced) form, you have to click “Map It.” The flag will move to the address you entered and the GPS (LAT/LNG) will be filled in automatically. Check the map to be sure the flag in the correct place.

 

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. (Do not click ‘map it’ again.)

 

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.)

 

You must complete the ‘Smoking Policy’ and the ‘Travelers With Disabilities’ lists. If not completed, your submission will be rejected.

 

(Note: by checking “ADA Fully Compliant” in the ‘travelers with disabilities’ list, you indicated that your location/venue meets, at a minimum, all of these requirements: designated handicapped parking; curb cuts at sidewalks; access ramps at building entrances; entry doors with assisted-opening mechanisms; restroom facilities with grab bars; low height counters/tables available; wheelchair accessibility in public areas; that your facilities contain no architectural barriers within public areas that hinder the movement of vision impaired persons; and your public facilities (including telephones and drinking fountains) are useable by persons with no or low vision. 

 

 

The Basic Info and the Keywords pages:

 

Open all drop down lists. Let me say that again, all drop-down lists, by clicking the sign. Do not assume a list does not apply. Open all lists to be sure. Checkmark any and all of the choices that apply.

 

On the “Basic Info” page, check all that apply or are available on-site. 

 

On the “Keywords” page, the activity/attribute must be readily and easily available to your customer, not necessarily on-site.

 

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 larger, more prominate 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, Chesterfield, checkmark St. Louis; Berger and Rhineland may select Hermann; et cetera.) If someone searches for Hermann, businesses in Berger will show up, even though they are not in Hermann. Please, do not push the envelope.

 

 

PHOTOS PAGE

 

You may upload photos (as many as eight). There are no size restrictions; however, some photos may not load. (I suggest you copy your photo to your Desktop first.) Click ‘Add New.’ Locate the photo; go to the bottom of the page and click ‘upload photo’; wait for the photo to process; click ‘finish uploading.’ If more than one photo is uploaded, you must select which is to be the Default photo.

 

Note: Currently, only the ‘default’ photo will appear on VisitMO. A module which will display the additional photos is in the planning stages. Once we add that module, all of your previously loaded pictures will appear. 

 

ASSOCIATIONS PAGE

 

My association to other listings:

You may include in your listing, links to other local attractions/events 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 these listings 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” (with the highlighted button) is the person with primary responsibility for the listing. All communications from the Division of Tourism will go to the listing’s manager. You may add Contributing 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 submission will go into a pending list until we edit and process it. New listings do not go live until edited and approved by MDT. For updated listings, the previous information remains on VisitMO until the changes are edited and approved by MDT.

 

Please be patient. It may take several days or weeks 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 by you for more than 18 months are automatically deleted without notice.

 

Please keep your User Profile (especially your email address) up to date.

 

 

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