How Can We Help?
Find answers to common questions about using CityFinder, listing your business, and staying safe on our platform.
π‘ Tip: Try searching for "reviews", "listing", or "safety"
Browse by Topic
Getting Started
Learn the basics of using CityFinder
Searching & Browsing
Find businesses and services near you
Reviews & Ratings
How to read, write, and understand reviews
For Business Owners
List, manage, and grow your business
Safety & Trust
How we keep you safe and secure
Account & Privacy
Manage your profile and data
Getting Started
What is CityFinder?
CityFinder is a local business directory that helps you discover trusted services, shops, and professionals in your city. Our platform connects customers with verified businesses across India, making it easy to find exactly what you need. We feature plumbers, electricians, doctors, CA services, salons, restaurants, and much more β all with real reviews from actual customers.
How to Get Started
Getting started with CityFinder is simple: 1. **Visit the home page** β Browse featured and popular cities 2. **Select your city** β Click on your city to see all businesses there 3. **Browse by category** β Use the services section to explore what's available 4. **Use the search bar** β Search for specific businesses or services 5. **Read reviews** β Check ratings and customer reviews before deciding 6. **Contact directly** β Call, WhatsApp, or email businesses directly That's it! No sign-up needed for basic browsing.
Do I Need to Sign Up?
No, signing up is completely optional. You can browse businesses, read reviews, and view contact information without creating an account. However, if you want to: - Write and save reviews - Save favorite businesses - Receive notifications about new listings in your area - List your own business ...then you'll need to create a free account.
Searching & Browsing
How to Search for Businesses
You can search for businesses in several ways: **By City:** - Browse our featured and popular cities on the home page - Or use the search bar to enter your city name **By Category:** - Visit the "Popular Services" section to browse by category - Each service shows the number of businesses available - Click any service to see all businesses in that category **Direct Search:** - Use the main search bar on the home page - Type a business name, service type, or category - Results are filtered by relevance and location **Nearby Results:** - All results are filtered to your selected city - Nearby cities may also appear if relevant to your search
How to Filter Results
Once you've found search results, you can filter them by: **Rating** β View only highly-rated businesses (4+ stars) **Verified Only** β Show only verified and trusted listings **Recently Added** β See newly listed businesses first **Alphabetical** β Sort A-Z by business name **Most Reviewed** β Businesses with the most customer reviews Use the filter menu on the search results page to narrow down your options.
Understanding Business Profiles
Each business profile includes: **Key Info:** - Business name and logo - Category and description - Verified badge (if applicable) - Rating and review count **Contact:** - Phone number (tap to call) - Email address - WhatsApp link - Office address and map **Reviews:** - Customer ratings and feedback - Most helpful reviews listed first - Filter by rating (5-star, 1-star, etc.) **Hours:** - Operating hours (if available) - Holiday information **Photos:** - Business images and storefront photos
What Does the Verified Badge Mean?
The blue verified badge (β) appears on businesses that have been manually reviewed and confirmed by our team. Our verification process includes: - Confirming business details are accurate - Verifying contact information is valid - Checking business legitimacy - Reviewing business history and reputation **Note:** The verified badge is a quality indicator, but unverified businesses may still be trustworthy. Always check recent reviews to make an informed decision.
Reviews & Ratings
How to Read and Understand Reviews
Reviews on CityFinder help you make informed decisions. **Review Information Shown:** - Customer name or username - Star rating (1-5 stars) - Review title and description - Date posted - Number of helpful votes - Verified purchase badge (if applicable) **Interpreting Ratings:** - βββββ (5 stars) β Excellent service - ββββ (4 stars) β Good service - βββ (3 stars) β Average service - ββ (2 stars) β Poor service - β (1 star) β Very poor service **Tips:** - Read multiple reviews for balanced perspective - Check recent reviews for current quality - Look for specific details (not just "good" or "bad") - Pay attention to reviews similar to your situation
How to Write a Review
Sharing your experience helps other customers make better decisions. **To Write a Review:** 1. Go to the business profile 2. Scroll to the reviews section 3. Click "Write a Review" button 4. Sign in (or create a free account) 5. Rate the business (1-5 stars) 6. Write your review title (brief summary) 7. Write your detailed review (be specific and honest) 8. Choose if you want to be anonymous 9. Click "Submit Review" **Review Guidelines:** - Be honest and fair - Be specific about your experience - Mention both positives and negatives - Avoid profanity and personal attacks - Don't review competitors or unrelated topics - Share your genuine experience only Your review will be posted after a quick spam check.
How We Moderate Reviews
We take review integrity seriously. **Our Moderation Process:** - All reviews go through an automated spam filter - Suspicious reviews are manually checked - We remove fake, offensive, or irrelevant reviews - Spam and promotional content are deleted - Threats or harassment result in immediate removal **What We Do NOT Allow:** - Fake reviews or ratings - Competitor sabotage - Offensive language or personal attacks - Promotional content or spam - Unrelated content - Business responses to reviews (we provide a separate response tool) **Important:** We do NOT remove negative reviews just because a business requests it. Honest feedback, even if negative, is valuable to customers.
How to Report a Suspicious Review
If you see a review that seems fake, offensive, or inappropriate, you can report it. **To Report a Review:** 1. Go to the review you want to report 2. Click the three-dot menu (β―) next to the review 3. Select "Report Review" 4. Choose the reason (fake, offensive, spam, irrelevant, etc.) 5. Add details explaining why it should be reviewed 6. Click "Submit Report" **Our Team Will:** - Investigate the reported review - Check for patterns of abuse - Take action within 24-48 hours - Remove the review if it violates our guidelines Your report helps keep CityFinder trustworthy for everyone.
For Business Owners
How to List Your Business
Getting your business on CityFinder is free and easy. **To List Your Business:** 1. Click "List Business" in the header 2. Sign up or log in to your account 3. Fill in your basic information: - Business name - Category - City and address - Phone number - Email address - Website (optional) 4. Add business photos (2-5 recommended) 5. Write a brief description 6. Review and submit **What Happens Next:** - Our team will verify your information (usually within 24 hours) - We'll confirm your business details are accurate - Your listing will go live on CityFinder - You'll receive confirmation via email Your listing is free with our basic plan!
How to Manage Your Business Listing
Once your business is listed, you can manage it anytime. **From Your Dashboard, You Can:** - View your business profile as customers see it - Update business information (address, phone, hours, etc.) - Add or change business photos - Edit your business description - Update operating hours and holidays - Add special offers or announcements - Respond to customer reviews - View your business analytics **To Access Your Dashboard:** 1. Log in to your CityFinder account 2. Go to "My Business" or "Dashboard" 3. Click on your business name 4. Edit any information and click "Save" Changes are usually live within 1-2 hours.
How to Respond to Reviews
Responding to reviews shows you care about customer feedback. **To Respond to a Review:** 1. Log in to your business dashboard 2. Go to the reviews section 3. Find the review you want to respond to 4. Click "Respond" 5. Write your response (professional and helpful) 6. Click "Post Response" **Response Tips:** - Thank customers for positive feedback - Address concerns professionally in negative reviews - Offer solutions or explanations - Keep responses brief and professional - Never argue or be defensive - Provide contact information if needed Business responses help build trust with potential customers.
How to Get Verified
A verified badge helps customers trust your business. **Why Get Verified?** - Build trust with potential customers - Stand out from competitors - Improve visibility in search results - Show you meet CityFinder standards **Verification Requirements:** - Your business must be legitimate and registered - Contact information must be verified - Your details must match official records - You must have a good review history - Your listing must be complete and accurate **To Apply for Verification:** 1. Make sure your business listing is complete 2. Go to your business dashboard 3. Click "Apply for Verification" 4. Submit any required documents 5. Our team will review (usually within 5-7 days) 6. You'll receive confirmation via email Verification is free and helps you grow!
How to Increase Your Business Visibility
Here are tips to get more customers on CityFinder: **Optimize Your Profile:** - Use high-quality photos - Write a clear, detailed description - Include all contact information - Add accurate business hours - Keep information updated **Encourage Reviews:** - Provide excellent service - Ask satisfied customers to review - Respond professionally to all reviews - Address negative feedback promptly **Stay Active:** - Post updates and offers regularly - Respond to customer messages quickly - Update photos seasonally - Highlight special services or promotions **Build Your Rating:** - Aim for consistent 4-5 star service - Focus on customer satisfaction - Ask for feedback - Fix common complaints quickly **Premium Features** (coming soon): - Featured listings - Promoted placement - Additional photo slots - Customer messaging tools
Safety & Trust
How to Avoid Scams
CityFinder takes safety seriously. Here's how to protect yourself: **Red Flags to Watch:** - Businesses asking for advance payment before service - Unusually low prices that seem too good to be true - Requests for personal financial information - Unwillingness to provide business address or phone - Businesses that won't meet in person or at your location - High-pressure tactics or urgency **Safe Practices:** - Always verify business details before contacting - Call the business directly using the number on CityFinder - Meet businesses at your location or their office - Never send money without seeing the service - Ask for quotes in writing before starting work - Check reviews from similar customers - Trust your instincts **If Something Feels Wrong:** - Don't proceed with the transaction - Report the business to us immediately - Contact local authorities if you've been scammed - Leave an honest review of your experience
Protecting Your Personal Information
Your privacy is important to us. **What We Collect:** - Name and email (if you create an account) - Reviews and ratings you post - Search history on CityFinder - Contact preferences **What We DON'T Share:** - Your email with businesses (unless you contact them) - Your location with others - Your personal details with third parties - Your search history with anyone **Your Rights:** - You can delete your account anytime - You can remove reviews you've posted - You can opt out of notifications - You can request your data at any time **Protection Measures:** - We use secure encryption for your data - Your passwords are never stored in plain text - We comply with Indian privacy laws - We regularly audit our security **Contact us** if you have privacy concerns.
How to Report a Business
If you encounter a problematic business, report it to us. **To Report a Business:** 1. Go to the business profile 2. Click the three-dot menu (β―) 3. Select "Report Business" 4. Choose the reason: - Fake or misleading information - Fraudulent activity - Unsafe or illegal practices - Abuse or harassment - Other concerns 5. Provide details about the issue 6. Click "Submit Report" **What We Do:** - We investigate all reports - We contact the business if needed - We take immediate action for serious issues - We may remove the listing if it violates guidelines - We may alert authorities for legal violations **Confidentiality:** - Your report remains confidential - The business won't know who reported them - We only share details with authorities if required Help us keep CityFinder safe for everyone.
How to Verify Professional Credentials
For professional services (doctors, lawyers, CAs, etc.), verify credentials: **For Doctors:** - Check registration with Medical Council of India - Visit the council's official website - Verify specialization and qualifications **For Lawyers:** - Check bar council registration - Verify license status - Confirm expertise area **For CA Services:** - Verify with Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) - Check for active membership - Confirm qualifications **For Other Professionals:** - Ask for certification details - Request proof of qualifications - Check with relevant regulatory body - Ask for client references **Tips:** - Don't rely solely on CityFinder for verification - Always double-check credentials independently - Ask for certifications during first contact - Check reviews from similar customers - Trust verified badges but verify independently too
Account & Privacy
How to Create an Account
Creating an account on CityFinder is quick and free. **To Create an Account:** 1. Click "Sign Up" in the header 2. Choose sign-up method: - Email and password - Google account - Phone number (OTP verification) 3. Fill in your details: - Name - Email or phone - Password (if using email) 4. Verify your email or phone 5. Set up your profile (optional) 6. Start using CityFinder! **What You Can Do With an Account:** - Write and save reviews - Save favorite businesses - Access saved businesses from any device - Manage notifications and preferences - Track your review history - Create a business listing Your account is free and takes less than 2 minutes to set up!
How to Manage Your Account
You have full control over your account. **To Manage Your Account:** 1. Log in to CityFinder 2. Click your profile icon (top right) 3. Select "Account Settings" 4. From here you can: - Edit your name and profile picture - Change your email or phone - Update your password - Change your city/location - Manage notification settings - View your saved businesses - View your reviews **Notification Settings:** - Choose how often you want email updates - Get alerts for new businesses in your area - Receive tips and recommendations - Opt out of marketing emails anytime Changes are saved immediately.
How to Reset Your Password
Forgot your password? No problem! **To Reset Your Password:** 1. Go to the CityFinder login page 2. Click "Forgot Password?" 3. Enter your email address 4. Click "Send Reset Link" 5. Check your email (usually within 1 minute) 6. Click the reset link in the email 7. Enter your new password 8. Click "Update Password" 9. Log in with your new password **If You Don't Receive the Email:** - Check your spam/junk folder - Wait a few minutes and try again - Make sure you're using the correct email - Contact our support team for help **Password Tips:** - Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols - Make it at least 8 characters long - Don't use personal information - Use a unique password (don't reuse it elsewhere)
How to Delete Your Account
You can delete your account anytime. **To Delete Your Account:** 1. Log in to CityFinder 2. Go to Account Settings 3. Scroll to the bottom 4. Click "Delete Account" 5. Confirm that you want to delete 6. Enter your password for confirmation 7. Click "Permanently Delete Account" **What Happens:** - Your account and profile are deleted - Your saved businesses are removed - Your reviews remain on the platform (but not linked to your name) - Your personal data is deleted from our systems - The action cannot be undone **Before You Delete:** - Make sure you want to delete it (cannot undo) - Download any important information first - Your reviews will stay on the platform **Questions?** Contact us before deleting β maybe we can help!
Privacy & Data Protection
We're committed to protecting your data. **Our Commitments:** - We comply with Indian privacy laws - We only collect data you provide - We never sell your information - We use encryption to protect your data - You have full control over your information **How We Use Your Data:** - To improve your experience - To show relevant recommendations - To prevent fraud and keep you safe - To send updates you've requested - To analyze trends (anonymized) **Your Data Rights:** - Right to access β see what data we have - Right to correct β update incorrect information - Right to delete β remove your information - Right to opt-out β stop marketing communications - Right to data portability β download your data **Contact Us:** For privacy questions or requests, email us: privacy@cityfinder.com We'll respond within 7 business days.
Quick Tips for New Users
- No sign-up needed β Browse businesses freely
- Check the blue badge β Verified businesses are reviewed by our team
- Read multiple reviews β Get a balanced view of the business
- Contact directly β Call or WhatsApp to get quotes
- Share your experience β Write honest reviews to help others
Can't Find Your Answer?
Our support team is here to help! Reach out with your question or concern, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Average response time: 2-4 hours on weekdays