The Story Behind Ocala Business Directory
A local project with a simple mission…
Our Mission
Every great local community deserves a place where information is clear, accurate, and truly helpful.
Ocala Business Directory was created with one simple mission:
To make it easier for people to find trustworthy local businesses — and to give business owners a fair, accessible place to be seen.
No paywalls.
No confusing filters.
No outdated listings from five years ago.
Just a clean, reliable directory that puts Ocala first.
We believe a directory should do more than list names —
it should help a community grow.
That’s the heart behind OBD.
How OBD Began
Ocala Business Directory didn’t start as a business.
It started as a problem.
Local residents were searching for nearby services — and running into:
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Outdated business hours
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Closed businesses still appearing online
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Wrong phone numbers
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Broken links
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Listings that required payment just to be seen
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National platforms that didn’t understand Ocala at all
And business owners were frustrated too.
Many told us the same thing:
“It shouldn’t be this hard for people to find us.”
So we set out to build something better —
something created for Ocala, not for clicks or ads.
The goal was simple:
Bring all of Ocala’s businesses into one clean, organized, accurate home.
And most importantly — keep it free for small businesses to be listed.
The version you see today is the result of hundreds of hours of research, development, design, testing, and listening to local businesses.
OBD wasn’t built overnight.
It was built with purpose.
What Makes OBD Different
Tailored for Ocala
✅ Built specifically for Ocala — not a generic nationwide platform
Everything is tailored around local neighborhoods, local businesses, and local needs.
Free Listings
✅ Free listings for all local businesses
Every business deserves visibility — not just the ones who pay.
Accurate Data
✅ Clean, accurate, regularly maintained data
We constantly review listings for outdated info, closures, or wrong details.
Dashboard
✅ Business-owner dashboard for easy updates
Owners can log in, manage listings, update details, and add new businesses with ease.
Modern Design
✅ Modern design + fast user experience
No clutter. No weird ads. No slow loading.
Local Support
✅ Real local support
When you contact us, you’re talking to someone who knows and cares about Ocala — not a random support center.
How OBD Helps Local Businesses
ODB is more than a directory — it’s a tool that empowers local businesses to grow.
Business owners can:
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Claim their listing
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Update photos, hours, and descriptions
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Respond to reviews
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Add additional locations
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Fix incorrect information
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Access a clean dashboard (The OBD Business Suite)
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Submit requests through a simple, modern interface
Consumers get:
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Accurate search results
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Reliable business info
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Local insights
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A directory that feels modern, fast, and easy to browse
This is what a local directory should be.
Claim Listings
Update Info
Add Businesses
Reach More Customers
Meet the OBD Business Suite
As OBD grew, we recognized a need:
Business owners wanted more than a listing —
they wanted a simple place to manage everything.
So we created the OBD Business Suite, a streamlined dashboard that lets owners:
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View their listings
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Track updates
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Respond to reviews
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Submit edits
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Access support
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Manage new businesses they add
This is just the beginning.
We have big plans to make the dashboard even more powerful.
OBD is evolving — and business owners are at the center of every new feature.
Our Commitment to Ocala
Ocala isn’t just a place on a map — it’s a community filled with incredible small businesses, families, creators, and entrepreneurs.
We believe strong local businesses strengthen the entire area.
That’s why we’re committed to:
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Keeping listings accurate
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Maintaining an honest, transparent platform
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Responding when something needs fixing
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Building tools that small businesses can actually use
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Continuously improving based on community feedback
OBD is — and always will be — a project built with love for Ocala.