I recently came across www.helphound.comand it is a small community type site that lets users tell others about services in their local area. To be honest times are hard and we all should support our local businesses but the question is who to use.

Although the site is a little busy on the home page for our tastes it is simple and easy to use. Simply go to the search page, type in what you are looking for and where and hey presto based on Google maps it shows companies that have had reviews and what they are like. Helphound is a really good idea which we thought would be great in the future when it has more reviews etc on it (I looked for a local company for me in Cheshire and not many were listed yet) but I’m sure as more people use the site there will be more reviews.

On the plus side you can write your own reviews of businesses – this is possibly open to a little abuse – companies writing their own reviews but taken with a pinch of salt a really good idea. Well done helphound.com – we’re giving you four stars at the moment a good idea that we’re sure will grow.

On the next page is Helphound’s own press release – it’s better they tell you what they do in detail rather than us.

Since 2006, HelpHound has quietly got on with development and innovation while others have trumpeted. We wanted to wait until we had something really important to say – something really unique – and now we have…

HelpHound is the first online community to bring businesses and consumers together in a way that brings tangible benefits to both in equal measure.

HelpHound…

• helps consumers help each-other find excellent businesses and services
• helps excellent businesses reach consumers
• helps customers and clients resolve issues with businesses they use
• helps businesses resolve their customers’ issues

Some examples…

Consumer: You need a business or service. Search HelpHound and see which one our users rate the best. You know some great businesses – tell your fellow HelpHounders about them.

Business: You have a business and you want to convince potential customers to use you: encourage your existing customers to review your business on HelpHound. People looking to use a business for the first time really value independent testimonials. HelpHound provides the ideal vehicle for them.

Consumer: You have an issue with a business you have used (it may be an outright complaint, or it may simply be a suggestion to help improve service): HelpHound Resolution™. gives you and the business a private forum to resolve that issue.

Business: You run a business – you want all your customers to be happy. But you are also a realist – you know there are going to be issues that you want an opportunity to address and resolve. You don’t want your customers to simply shrug and go to a competitor next time: tell your customers about HelpHound Resolution™.