Helping people discover the businesses on their doorstep

Discover and support local businesses with the A Little Bit of Stone Directory, connecting residents to trusted services, shops, and trades near them.

Written by

Jon Cook

Published on

Screenshot of the A Little Bit of Stone Business Directory homepage, featuring a banner to sponsor the directory, a search bar with “Find Stone Businesses” text, and listings for local companies including Love To Clean and 3B Barbers.

Client: A Little Bit of Stone
Industry: Media and Local Community Engagement
Website: directory.alittlebitofstone.com

Overview

After developing the main A Little Bit of Stone website, we identified a clear need for a dedicated local business directory. Too often, people were recommending businesses based outside of Stone because they simply didn’t know what was available on their doorstep. We wanted to make it easier for residents to find and support local companies while offering businesses a reliable way to increase visibility.

What we did

We built a standalone website on a separate subdomain to ensure the directory was fast, focused and easy to navigate. Although separate, the site retains the same branding and familiar style as the main ALBOS platform, helping to build trust with visitors and reinforce its connection to the wider community.

To speed up development and keep the platform manageable, we used a reliable off-the-shelf directory plugin and fully configured it to suit the needs of ALBOS. This included:

  • A custom design that mirrors the ALBOS brand
  • Tiered listing options to support businesses of all sizes
  • Social media integration and image galleries
  • Easy-to-browse categories and searchable tags
  • SEO-friendly structures and clear calls to action
  • Analytics to monitor listing performance and user engagement

We also introduced a promotional push via our main site and social media platforms, offering early-bird discounts and dedicated features for new sign-ups.

The result

Within two months of launch, the directory featured over 100 local businesses and was already attracting thousands of visits each month. It has quickly become a go-to destination for residents looking to shop locally, and for businesses seeking a trusted platform to raise their profile.

The project continues to grow and evolve, with new features and listings being added weekly. It’s a simple idea executed well, helping to bring together the people of Stone and the businesses that keep the town thriving.