BikeBiz

Improved database
The ACT and ActSmart continue invest heavily in developing and maintaining what we believe is one of the industry’s most up to date listings of cycle shops.  Both members and non-members are included in this database of over 2000 stores.

As well as all the standard contact details this database includes:

•    Whether shops have Cytech accredited staff
•    Participate in the Fetch scheme
•    Provide retail finance for their customers
•    If they offer cycle hire or demo bikes
•    Listed in the Yellow Pages
•    A map for every store

In addition shops can personalize their database listing with:

•    Lists of accessory, bike and clothing brands stocked
•    Their opening times
•    A shop logo or photo
•    Photos of up to 5 members of staff  
•    Description of unique selling points, their history and other specialist services etc.

Shops listed on more websites
The shops database listing is featured on the ACT’s promotional website – www.TheCyclingExperts.co.uk – plus the Bike Hub funded BikeForAll.net and now WhyCycle.co.uk.  

Together these 3 websites average over 80,000 unique visits every month.  To put that into perspective, that’s more people than read Cycling Plus and MBUK combined on a monthly basis.

It’s worth making sure your shop listing is up to date!

All shops are included with a basic listing free of charge.  The additional promotional listings are free to ACT members and cost £75.00 for non-members.

Find out more at www.actsmart.biz/cycles/listings or call 08704 288 404

Popular WhyCycle website now listing shops
WhyCycle.co.uk is a website which sets out to offer impartial advice to new and returning cyclists.  Over the past 7 years, the site has become very popular and is regularly cited in national and local press.  The website averages 46,000 unique visits every month.

WhyCycle.co.uk has just been completely re-designed and updated, and in an effort to improve the facilities available has developed a new partnership with ACT, which means that our national listing of shops is now featured on this website.

The shops listing is included in the “Buying Your Bike” section, with the aim of helping website users find local shops.  It is a valuable addition to the website and another fantastic free promotional opportunity for cycle retailers.  Banner adverts promoting ACT and specialist shops have also been positioned on key pages throughout the website and link to TheCyclingExperts.co.uk.

Sustrans maps to feature ACT members
The popular online version of Sustrans’ cycle route maps will soon feature icons representing ACT members.

The new wrench symbol (to be confirmed) will show map users where they can find the nearest bike shop on the route, and will be featured alongside other handy information such as youth hostels and historic sites of interest.  

Mark Brown from ACT commented: “In the past we had a very closed and proprietary view of our shop listings database.  We wanted to be in control and the only people who had it.”  

He continues: “That’s all changed now.  With the growth of the web and development of our own systems – and our mission to better embrace the industry - we can leverage this database in a powerful way by forming new partnerships.  Ultimately that means more promotion for the shops and more opportunity for us to spread the word about why people should buy a bike from a specialist local retailer.”