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Register About Rate Cincy Registering / Logging In
- How do I register?
- What information is required?
- I didn't receive my activation code
- How do I log in?
Listings
- How to browse for listings
- How to search for listings
- Layout of the listing page
- How do I add a review?
- How do I suggest a new listing?
- Editing a listing
- How do you determine if a business is open/closed?
Accessing Rate Cincy from a mobile device
Contacting Rate Cincy
About Rate Cincy
What is Rate Cincy?
In the most basic sense, RateCincy.com is a website where others can review local businesses in the Northern Kentucky area. However, there are many features than that.
What makes Rate Cincy different?
RateCincy.com is a website where others can review local businesses in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. However, there are many features than that. First, you can easily see what’s open in the area. Most business information websites do not even have the hours. On Rate Cincy you not only see the business hours, but you can also see what businesses are open at a glance. This is perfect solution for those who frequently are looking for something to do during "off hours". Second, you can view photos and menus. Before you decide to go somewhere you can view photos of that business (and for restaurants, you can also view the menu). Third, the listings are user-edited. This means that all users can propose changes to listings on the site, and then other users vote on these changes. This means that if you find a listing on the site that is outdated, you can be proactive and make the appropriate changes. Fifth, you can view business news and deals. Rate Cincy accesses a business' Twitter account to see what news or deals that business is publishing. Sixth, you don't have to be near a computer to find out what businesses are open or what reviews they've received. Rate Cincy has a mobile website that you can view on your smartphone. If you don't have a smartphone you can still use our text messaging service.
When was it started?
Rate NKY.com officially opened in late 2009. However, the site has been in beta testing since early 2009. The site expanded to Cincinnati and became Rate Cincy.com in March of 2010.
Is Rate Cincy free?
Yes! Rate Cincy is absolutely free. The only exception is if you're representing a business and would like to advertise.
Registering / Logging In
How do I register?
You can click on the "register" icon at the top right of the page, or you may click the "register" link on the left sidebar.
What information is required?
The only information required is a username, password, and a valid e-mail address. You will need a valid e-mail address so that we can send your activation code. Without your activation code, you cannot login to the site.
I didn't receive my activation code.
Your activation code should arrive within 20 minutes. The title of the e-mail will be "Validation Required for Rate Cincy.com". However, if you didn't receive this e-mail follow these steps. First, check your "junk mail" or "spam" folders. Did you use the right e-mail when you registered? If not, please do not re-register. Visit our support center, and let us know your username and e-mail address.
How do I log in?
You can click on the "login" icon at the top right of the page, or you may click the "login" link on the left sidebar.
Listings
How do I browse for listings?
To browse for listings click on "Browse" on the left side of the page. Then, you must select a business type. You may choose one of the main categories (ex. "Food / Dining") or you may choose a subcategory ("Pizza"). You may then choose to filter out your results by several options. You may choose to show only results in an area (ex. "Northern Kentucky") or a specific city or neighborhood (ex. "Newport). You may also choose to filter out results that do not meet a certain rating threshold. If you wish to view all results click "Browse". If you'd like to view a random business with the specifications that you've provided click on "Random".
How do I search for listings?
To search for listings click on "Search" on the left side of the page. However, you may also choose to use the text field at the top right of the page. Type in the full name or part of a business name and click on search. If you can't find any listings try a broader name. For example: instead of "John Doe's Pizza" try using "John Doe". Hint: if you're looking for a type of business try browsing instead since this method will only search business names.
Layout of the listing page
At the top of the page you'll see the name of the business. In the left column you'll see the basic businsess information, hours, actions and the rating. In the right column you'll find the map, photos, and the latest news from that business from Twitter. For further explanation, see this image.
How do I add a review?
First you must be viewing a listing. You may do so by browsing or searching for it. Then, assuming that you are logged in, you will see a form at the bottom of the listing page. From there you must click on how many stars you wish to give that business. Then, you must enter a title for your review, and then the actual review itself.
How do I suggest a new listing?
Simply click on the link titled "Suggest Listing" at the bottom of every page. Alternatively, you may click here. Keep in mind that you must be logged in to your Rate Cincy account.
How do I edit a listing?
Assuming that you are logged in, you will see a link under the "actions" table on every listing page that says "propose edit". After clicking this, you'll be able to propose an edit to the listing. After you submit the form, other users will be able to vote on those changes.
How do you determine if a business is open/closed?
This is based on the hours that we have for that business. The hours are maintained by the community, meaning that users may propose edits to the hours. To be safe, you should call ahead and confirm that the business is indeed open/closed. NOTE: this shows if the business is CURRENTLY open or closed, not whether or not the business is still operating or not. If a business is no longer operating, you can propose an edit stating that the business has closed for good.
Accessing Rate Cincy from a mobile device
via. mobile website
If your mobile device has a browser, you may access Rate Cincy at http://m.ratecincy.com. You can browse and search for listings, update your status, and submit reviews.
via. text messaging
Below is a list of commands that you can use. Text the following to 88147:
· cincy about - returns information about the SMS interface.
· cincy help - returns a list of commands.
· cincy info [business name] in [city] - returns information about a business. Be sure to use the city and not the neighborhood. Meaning, don't use "Downtown" just use "Cincinnati". Eventually you'll be able to search by neighborhood.
· cincy weather [zip code] - returns the weather conditions at a certain zip code.
Contacting Rate Cincy
Support team / general inquiries
Check out the contact page.
