Local businesses? There’s an app for that

Beau Phillips reported to Historic City News that the St Johns County Chamber of Commerce has a new tool to help promote member businesses and to encourage everyone to shop local.

“My Chamber App” is a free smartphone application currently available for download on iPhone, Android and Blackberry platforms.

Using GPS technology, the My Chamber App includes a listing of all St Johns County Chamber members searchable by name or category. The categories cover a host of local businesses including government offices, retail operations, restaurants and places of worship.

The application is very easy to navigate, according to Phillips. “Users can find out information about known favorites, including upcoming events or promotions,” Phillips told reporters. “Results are listed by proximity and sent directly to users, making it possible to view business information, directions and place a call directly to the business.”

“You can literally put your business in the palm of someone’s hand with the My Chamber App,” said Vice President of Operations, Isabelle Rodriguez. “This is a cutting-edge way for our members to garner exposure for their businesses and another benefit of chamber membership.”

Old Town Trolley is promoting the use of the application through its sightseeing tours. The company is marketing the My Chamber App with signage and in other promotional materials.

“This free application is a wonderful tool and offers tremendous benefits,” said Old Town Trolley General Manager Dave Chatterton. “From a visitor’s perspective, it is very helpful.”

The application is currently used by more than 200 participating chambers of commerce. As a user of the application, when you travel across the country to participating areas, you are automatically linked to the local chamber and able to search their database the same way you do at home.

To download the app, search for “mychamberapp” in the Apple Store, Google Play Store or Blackberry App World from your mobile device.