Advice given by Shepp_invest 

To really make this take off and come up with a complete site your going to need upwards of 10k.

For Example some of what you will need is: interfaces for approving user submitted content, adjusting content on the static site yourself, account management, automated email notifications and newsletters to all the "locals" in one locale, a review and rating system, possibly even an automated system that authenticates that people actually live in the area, a "Verified Local" type of thing ( you can do this with online credit card verification systems, you don't actually have to collect money from anyone but you can verify their billing address and zip that way, to prove they are indeed in that area.) This cuts down on the frauds and commercialization that "Chaula" commented about.

I would recommend finding someone that will help you out with this almost like a hobby or bring them on as a partner. It's not a bad idea to bring someone on-board this early in the company who has the expertise you need (try to find someone local to you that …moreyou trust, also keep in mind that if you can't pay them your going to have to do one heck of a sales job and be prepared to explain your thoughts!). I have seen this business partner concept work very well for several startups in fact ( you don't have to give them 50% of your company to make them a partner, i suggest giving them 10-20%... and put it all in writing!)

If I were you, I would try to save my cold hard cash for advertising and spreading the word unless you currently have a niche to get the word out???

Also start thinking about how your going to set yourself apart from sites like citysearch (I personally find that one really ugly and hard to use.)

Interesting concept, but this is unfortunately an extremely difficult market to break into because so many other organizations have or are doing it. Having user generated content certainly helps, but you'll have to snag users from the local sites that are already in existence, a difficult thing to do when cities like Philly already have sites like GoPhila.com and CampusPhilly.com. You might want to try a link exchange bc quite honestly those other sites are usually funded from the city and have full time staff with million dollar budgets. You may be able to find a niche in smaller to mid sized cities that don't already have an established tourism site, but I think that taking on large cities is going to be an extremely uphill battle. One thing that you might want to add to the features you already have for your site is local blogs. www.BlogHarrisburg.com has successfully implemented an interesting model that may suit your website. Good luck.

Great idea...but I think Yelp.com is already doing something similar? Not to discourage you, but just so you know what you could be up against...

Best of luck!

You're right, Yelp is somewhat similar. But there are reasons why I don't like Yelp. 1) it is very busy and cluttered, hard to read 2)they have a lot of junk listed like Domino's and KFC. It sometimes seems more like a yellow pages that quality suggestions.

Here is how golocaling would be different.
1) You will be able to search by map
2) Things will be listed first that have the most votes, so you see the best suggestions first.
3)Each city will have a summary about the city, it's personality, community, schools, great events, festivals, where people go for day trips, great hiking trails, etc..
4) A Local forum
I will not allow national chain restaurants to be listed unless it originated in that city.

I want this site to be a fast way for people to learn the ins and outs about a city. I know there are a lot of touristy websites out there, but I'm hoping the infomation that I receive from Locals will be very hard to find anywhere else and for that reason, people will continue to come back.

Advice given by inventorspot 

I think this would be very helpful to travelers, if you can do it right. But given the broad nature of what you are doing, you are talking years of effort or tons of money to buy the talent you need to do this.

I would suggest you start super small. Lock up an area, then go to the larger state, region etc. Starting broadly, you may be stretched too thin to accomplish much.

Michelle
InventorSpot.com - #1 Advice Resource for Inventors