You know about Patch's Directory, right?  

It's where people can search on Patch for Brookfield businesses and find descriptions, hours, photos, accepted payment methods, and much more. People can even rate a business between one and five stars, and leave a review.

Here's where you come in.

Is the information about your business still accurate? Have your hours or days changed? Have you moved to a new location?

With a quick, free step, you can "claim" your Patch listing, giving you access to edit and change it as you please at your convenience. No strings. No cost.

So what can you do?

Add photos

Saloon on Calhoun with Bacon uploaded photos of its food. The Walcheske & Luzi law firm added its logo and photos of its building, as did A-E Graphics. Brookfield Wedding Cakes uploaded photos of — yes, you guessed it — their wedding cakes, as well as an image of a Milwaukee Home & Fine Living article about the home-based business. Elite Sports Club uploaded photos of its building entrances, as well as interior shots of its facilities. Soerens Ford added a logo and photo of a car.

Chiropratic Co. added its logo and a photo of its chiropractor. The move made the business stand out when anyone searches chiropractors because it's one of the only, if not the only, chiropratic listing with an image.

Add product and sales information

(Remember, this is all free.)

Some of Patch's listings are more thorough than others. Make your listing more robust and helpful to customers by adding information. Patch makes it easy by offering a variety of templated info boxes to fill out. (You'll see once you claim your listing.)

Soerens Ford and Amy Montessori School added a ton more information for readers, including whether Soerens offers loaner cars and vehicle drop-offs and specifics on its body shop services. Amy Montessori added info about its licensure, capacity and number of children, and staff members' average years of experience. A-E Graphics answered this templated box — "What's your customer service philosophy?" — with this answer — "Yes. We can."

Do you have a customer service motto? Add it! Consider your Patch listing like a mini-website. For small businesses without a website, you can use your Patch listing as one, directing customers to it for info.

Monitor and react to reviews and ratings

Businesses that claim their listings learn when someone leaves a review or rating. Whether you thank someone for a glowing review or offer to fix a complaint, your online response shows great customer service.

Encourage your loyal customers to leave a review.

Pam's Family Child Care, whose listing was claimed by owner Pamela Sova, has 11 reviews and 5-star ratings!

Many other Brookfield day cares have claimed their listings, some of whom already have great reviews, such as Wauwatosa Nursery School, Mary Linsmeier Schools, Amy Montessori and Cuddlebugs. Brookfield Christian School also has a positive review.

Someone gave Tony & Friends Salon & Spa a five-star review, praising it for its annual Girls Night Out's "excellent services, wine, food and company." Herzing University was complimented for its "beautiful campus with easily accessible professors and staff."

Promote local events and sales

Tony & Friends could promote its next Girls Night Out through its Patch Directory listing. Brookfield Liquor & Beer adds its wine classes and tastings to Patch's events calendar and then promotes them through its listing. Claiming the listing offers free tools to let people know about sales and events.

Paid Tools

You can upgrade your listing with a video profile, add a message from the owner and become a featured business on the Directory page for a fee. Learn more about these options and how to get in touch with a sales team member, Kevin Kelly.

Want more information or need help claiming your listing? Email lisa.sink@patch.com.