Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

About the Form

Which Listing Category should I pick for my business?

We created the listing categories based on the previous directory as well as input from community members. It is intended to accommodate most businesses.

If you have a question about where to list your business, please select the "None of the above - please contact me option" at the end of the list and we will get in touch with you to discuss it.

What if none of the existing categories fit my needs?

Please select the "None of the above - please contact me option" at the end of the list and we will get in touch with you to discuss it.

Which fields should I include? Why are so many optional?

Complete only those that you want in your listing.

Some people will want their business name on top. Or only want the business name listed.

Others want their personal name on top and their company below.

Most business with a physical store front will want to include a street address and phone number. 

Consultants and web based businesses may prefer to not include a street address and only include website and email.

Your listing should reflect the information you want shown and the ways you want your clients contacting you.

What is a Primary Contact?

This is the person we will contact if we have questions about your listing. It is the person who will act as the business or organization's point of contact for the Diversity Center Directory.

The primary contact information is not included in the listing. This person may be the same (or different) from the contact information you provided for the listing. 

I clicked the email link to send my graphic, and it didn't work. What do I do?

Please open your email program, attached your graphic, and send to directory@diversitycenter.org

(If clicking on the link doesn't work your email program and browser may not be configured properly.)

What do I put in the Message box field?

Any information you want your customers to know. For example, what sets you or your business apart? Our community is especially interested in your support of our events, activities, and issues.

Messages are limited to 25 words for $100 & $200 listing and 60 words for $250 & $350.

What does 25 words look like? 

Here is the size for 25 words. Here is the size for 25 words. Here is the size for 25 words. Here is the size

How about 60 words?

Here is what 60 words looks like. Here is what 60 words looks like. Here is what 60 words looks like. Here is what 60 words looks like. Here is what 60 words looks like. Here is what 60 words looks like. Here is what 60 words looks like. Here is what 60 words looks like. Here is what 60.

How will my listing appear in Google and other search engines?

The Diversity Center intends for the listings in this directory to be shown in search engines and will try to promote that. We can not control how your listing will appear in any particular search engine. We intend your listing to show your support of The Diversity Center and the Santa Cruz LGBTQ community.

What parts of the listing will be shown in search engines (like Google) and by the site's internal search?

Text displayed on the listing which was entered in the form (names, addresses, phone number, messages) and selections made by drop down (such as category) are searchable by the directory's search and are expected to be displayed by search engines like Google. 

Primary contact information and text appearing only on your graphic is not searchable and will not appear in search engines.

(Some search engines do provide specialized graphics searches.)

What if I find a typo or other error in my listing?

Send the correction in an email to directory@diversitycenter.org and we'll correct it at no charge.

About Money

How much does a listing in the Directory cost?

There are four types of Directory listings.

  1. $100 for 12 months includes:
    • Text listing in online Directory
    • A 25 word message to readers
    • Link to your website
    • Link to your email
  2. $200 for 12 months includes:
    • ALL features of $100 listing
    • PLUS small graphic (approx. 3.5" x 2" *) 
  3. $250 for 12 months includes:
    • ALL features of $200 listing
    • LONGER 60 word message to readers
    • LARGER graphic (approx. 3.5" x 4" *)
  4. $350 for 12 months includes:
    • ALL features of $250 listings
    • PLUS Maximum Visibility Placement (Guarantees listing is in first 5 listing within your category page.)
    • This option has limited availability and maybe sold out in some categories.

* The graphic size varies with the size of the viewer's display and window size and other factors outside of the control of the Diversity Center.  Please see the FAQs - About Graphics for more info.

In what order are the listings shown?

Within each category page, first are the (up to 5) Maximum Visibility Listing, then the other listing are in alphabetical order.

The intention is to show listing sorted by the first line. (Company name or Personal name.) We reserve the right ignore special characters and to otherwise place listings in the correct order (sorted by name) if the first line text has been manipulated to try to make the listing appear earlier. 

I want to pay by credit card but I don't have a PayPal account. Do I have to use PayPal?

You do not need a PayPal account. PayPal is how we handle credit cards. At the bottom of the PayPal page, you will see a section to pay without creating an PayPal account. You can use any of the credit cards they support: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

How secure is my credit card payment?

PayPal protects your financial information with industry-leading security and fraud prevention systems. When you use PayPal, your financial information is not shared with the Diversity Center. Once your payment is complete, you (and we) will be emailed a receipt for this transaction.

I want to pay by check. What do I do?

Fill out the payment form and select the option for pay by check. Please mail your check within 5 days to: 

Community Directory
c/o The Diversity Center
PO Box 8280
Santa Cruz, CA 95061

Please include your company name (if not on the check) and the word 'Directory' on your check memo line. We will email your primary contact a reciept once we have received payment.

How long does my listing last?

Your directory purchase is good for 12 months from the date it is posted. We will send the primary contact a reminder when your subscription is almost up.

I represent a 501(c)(3) organization. Can I purchase a listing?

Yes, we have two special prices for 501(c)(3) organizations:

  • a $100 listings for $25
  • a $200 listings for $50

We do not have discounts for the other listings.

I'm having trouble paying for my directory subscription. What do I do?

If you find that the payment form is not working for you, please contact: 

directory@diversitycenter.org.

May I change my listing more often than once a year?

If there is a typo, we will make a text correction free of charge. One change, driven by other considerations (sales, seasons, change of information, etc), will be made at no charge. Additional changes, within the year, can made for a fee of $25 per change. 

About Graphics

How big is the graphic?

The graphic size varies with the size of the viewer's display and window size and other factors outside of the control of The Diversity Center.

The sizes quoted as 3.5" x 2" and 3.5" x 4" are approximate, but typically close for large computer displays.

You can view full sized sample listing here. We encourage you to view those samples in a smartphone, tablet, laptop, and desktop to see how the sizes and layouts vary.

Can a graphic include text?

Yes, your graphic can be a photo, logo, text, or drawing, or any combination of those elements.  If you wish, it can basically be an advertisement.

Be careful not to use small text sizes in your graphic, they can be hard to read on smartphones.  

How risqué a graphic is permitted?

All graphics in the directory must be suitable for all ages and appropriate for all work environments.

What graphic formats do you support?

Please send images in .jpg format only.

I want to buy a listing but what if my final graphic isn't ready?

You can pay for your listing now and get your information added to the directory. We will add your graphic once you send it to us. 

May I have different graphics for smartphones and desktop computers?

No. The directory will automatically resize the image to fit all devices. If your graphic artist gave you two resolutions of the same graphic - please give us the larger file. If the images are different - you might want to give us the simpler one (especially if the busier one has small text.)

Any hints for my graphic design?

Keep in mind that your listing and graphic will be automatically scaled up or down to fit anything from an older smaller smartphone (with a tiny screen) to the most modern high resolution 'Retina' display (a huge screen). The more successful graphics are typically a simple design that is recognizable on a small device (think smartphone), and sent to us at a high resolution. Our suggestion:

  • $250 & $350 Listing (3.5" x 4") use at least 648 pixels by 740 pixels
  • $200 Listing (3.5" x 2") use at least 648 pixels by 370 pixels

Less than this resolution may lead to pixelation (graininess) when images are scaled up.

I don't have a website. Can I link to my FaceBook page instead? 

Yes, just enter that URL. It probably looks something like: http://www.facebook.com/your.name

What if my graphic looks fuzzy, pixelated, or otherwise not what I want?

If you are unhappy with your graphic, send us a replacement and we'll post it instead (no charge).