Method and System for Providing Local Information Over a Network

Abstract

A method and system is provided where a first computer (e.g., a central server) collects information to be presented to one or more users. The information is organized into a plurality of first web-sites where each of these web-sites is addressable by a unique Universal Resource Locator (URL). A physical location is associated with each of the first web-sites. One of the first web-sites may be provided to a user as a user web-site. When the user or other individual seeks to access the user web-site, links to a plurality of the first web-sites are provided based on a relationship between the physical locations associated with the first web-sites and the physical location associated with the user web-site.

1 . A method comprising:
 sending, by a first computing device to a second computing device, a first web page customized based on user selected information and including map information localized to a user selected geographic area; and   responsive to a request for information pertaining to a business indicated on the first web page, sending, by the first computing device to the second computing device, the requested information in the form of a second web page customized based on the business and including information pertaining to the business.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user selected geographic area is an area including a user defined radius from a user defined physical location. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user selected geographic area is predefined as a default geographic area for the first web page. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user selected geographic area is a zip-code area. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information pertaining to the business includes a map including the user selected geographic area with a physical location of the business shown on the map. 
     
     
         6 . A method comprising:
 responsive to a request for information about a selected business located within a selected geographic area, determining, by a computing device, information associated with the selected business from a database that includes information about physical locations of businesses; and   transmitting, by the computing device, the determined information in the form of a web page, the determined information including map data for the selected geographic area, telephone information for the selected business, and hours of operation for the selected business.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the selected geographic area is an area including a user defined radius from a user defined physical location. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the selected geographic area is a zip-code area. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a physical location of the selected business is identified on the map data with markers. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the web page includes tabs selectable to display additional information about the selected business. 
     
     
         11 . A computing device configured to:
 send a first web page customized based on user selected information and including map information localized to a user selected geographic area; and   responsive to a request for information pertaining to a business indicated on the first web page, send the requested information in the form of a second web page customized to the business and including information pertaining to the business.   
     
     
         12 . The computing device of  claim 11 , wherein the user selected geographic area is an area including a user defined radius from a user defined physical location. 
     
     
         13 . The computing device of  claim 11 , wherein the user selected geographic area is predefined as a default geographic area for the first web page. 
     
     
         14 . The computing device of  claim 11 , wherein the user selected geographic area is a zip-code area. 
     
     
         15 . The computing device of  claim 11 , wherein the information pertaining to the business includes a map including the user selected geographic area with a physical location of the business shown on the map. 
     
     
         16 . A computer readable storage medium storing thereon computer readable instructions, the computer readable storage medium comprising:
 instructions for selecting information associated with a business located within a selected geographic area from a database that includes information about physical locations of businesses; and   instructions for sending the selected information in the form of a web page, the selected information including map data for the selected geographic area, telephone information for the business, and hours of operation for the business.   
     
     
         17 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the selected geographic area is an area including a user defined radius from a user defined physical location. 
     
     
         18 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the selected geographic area is a zip-code area. 
     
     
         19 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein a physical location of the business is identified on the map data with markers. 
     
     
         20 . The computer readable storage medium of  claim 19 , wherein the web page includes tabs selectable to display additional information about the business.