about & faqs

Explore Christian County Forest Green Logo

Glad you’re here! Get to know us better!

Explore Christian County is your go-to guide for uncovering the best of our community! Powered by Show Me Christian County and brought to life with the incredible support of our local chambers, cities, and private investors, this project was sparked by an exciting collaboration with National Geographic UK. As seasoned travelers look beyond the well-known destinations, we’re proud to showcase the authentic experiences and small-town charm that make Christian County truly unique. From local businesses and lively events to scenic outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, join us in exploring all the wonderful things our county has to offer — because the heart of the Ozarks is waiting to be discovered!

About Show Me Christian County

Show Me Christian County (SMCC) is more than just a resource for businesses — it is a partnership dedicated to the ongoing development of a beautiful, innovative, and growing county. Committed to advancing economic health, mobility, and opportunity in the Southwest Missouri region, SMCC focuses on fostering healthy businesses, cultivating skilled talent, and creating innovative spaces as the communities continue to evolve. Learn more

FAQs

Step 1: Register for an Account

To submit an event, you must first register for an account on Explore Christian County. Click the "Register" button at the top right corner of the website and fill out the required information. If you already have an account you can login here.

Step 2: Choose Your Listing Option

Explore Christian County offers different listing options based on your needs:

  • Free Listing: Basic business information like name, address, and contact details.
  • Claimed Listing: Additional features like adding specials, more social media links, replying to reviews, and including extra content. If you are a member of a local chamber within Christian County, contact us for a discount code that covers a 'claimed' listing as a free benefit.
  • Featured Listing: Includes all the benefits of a claimed listing but with priority in viewing order within their category pages, giving your business more visibility. Paid ads still take precedence over featured listings.
  • Listing Advertising: Ads appear below the search bar and at the bottom of business listings pages within their respective categories (e.g., restaurant ads will not show up in shopping or places to stay pages).

Note: Businesses must be tourist-friendly to be listed. Non-acceptable examples include insurance, roofing, and similar services. All submitted content will be reviewed by admins to ensure it meets acceptable criteria before publication.

Alternative Step 2: Access and Manage Your Listings After logging in, you can also access the 'Manage My Listing' section, located in both the header and footer, to easily manage your existing listings or submit new ones. You can also use the direct submission links in the footer for quick access to listing options.

Step 3: Create or Claim Your Listing

If your business is already listed, click on your business name and select the “Claim Listing” button. Follow the verification steps to take control of your listing.

If your business is not listed: After logging in, you can access the 'Manage My Listings' section in both the header and footer to easily add and manage your listings or events. Alternatively, use the direct submission links in the footer for quick access.

Step 4: Review and Publish

Review all the information to ensure accuracy. Once you're satisfied, click "Submit" to publish your listing. Your business will be visible on Explore Christian County, pending admin approval!

Step 5: Manage and Update

Log in anytime to update your business information, respond to reviews, and make the most of the features available in your chosen listing plan. After logging in, you can easily find "Manage My Listings" options in the footer, along with account management and the advertising dashboard.

Step 1: Register for an Account

To submit an event, you must first register for an account on Explore Christian County. Click the "Register" button at the top right corner of the website and fill out the required information. If you already have an account you can login here.

Step 2: Go to the 'Manage My Listings'

After logging in, you can also access the 'Manage My Listings' section, located in both the header and footer, to easily manage your events and other listings. Alternatively, you can use the direct submission links in the footer for quick access.

Step 3: Fill Out Your Event Details

Enter the required information, including event name, date, location, photos, and a brief description. Be sure to include any additional details that will help promote your event to the community.

Step 4: Review and Submit

Review all the information to ensure it’s correct and complete. Once you're satisfied, click "Submit" to publish your event. Your event will be visible on Explore Christian County, pending admin approval.

Step 5: Manage and Update Your Event

Log in anytime to update your event details if needed. You can also add more information or make changes as your event date approaches.

Free Listing - Unlimited

Explore Christian County welcomes all tourism-friendly businesses to join our platform with a free listing. This option provides a basic presence on our site, perfect for those just starting out.

Cost: Free forever

Features:

Business name and basic contact details.

Limited visibility within search results.

 
Claimed Listing Subscription - $25 per Year

For just $25 per year, elevate your business presence on Explore Christian County. Our Claimed Listing subscription is designed for businesses that want more control and visibility.

Features:

Enhanced Profile: Add business hours, social media links, special offers, and up to 10 images.

Customer Engagement: Respond to reviews directly from your dashboard.

Priority Placement: Your listing appears above Free Listings in search results, increasing visibility.

Exclusive Ad Access: Unlock the option to purchase paid ads to further boost your reach.

Ideal For: Businesses like shopping, restaurants, accommodations (Airbnbs, VRBOs, campgrounds), and more that want to engage more with their audience and manage their online presence effectively.

 
Featured Listing Subscription - $150 per Year

Gain premium exposure with our Featured Listing subscription, offering the highest visibility for your business throughout the year.

Features:

Top Placement: Your business will appear at the top of search results, just below any paid ads and before all Claimed and Free Listings.

Comprehensive Listing Control: Includes all Claimed Listing benefits, plus the ability to showcase your business more prominently.

Year-Long Visibility: Ensure your business stands out to potential customers all year round.

Ideal For: Businesses looking to make a strong impact and gain maximum visibility.

Ready to get started? Choose the subscription that best suits your business needs and explore our advertising options to make the most of your presence on Explore Christian County.

Additional Advertising Opportunities:

Looking for more ways to promote your business or event? We offer a variety of advertising placements across our platform to help you reach the right audience. To advertise with us, you must have an account, though a business listing is not required. Please note, all advertisements must be family-appropriate. Here are some of the key opportunities available:

Website Sponsorship ($250, Only 1 Per Month)

Be the exclusive sponsor with your logo displayed in the footer across all website pages. This highly visible placement guarantees continuous exposure to all site visitors.

Ad Size: 200 x 100 pixels

Placement: Footer, visible across the entire site.

File Format: PNG (transparent background) or JPG

Thank You Note: A special thank you message accompanies your logo, recognizing your sponsorship.

 
Leaderboard Ads (728x90) - $150 per month

Prominently display your banner ad on key lead-in pages, such as Parks & Trails, Attractions, Outdoor Activities, and more. This placement is highly visible on popular sections of the site.

Ad Size: 728 x 90 pixels

Placement: Homepage and multiple lead-in pages, excluding mobile devices and specific business listings.

File Format: JPG, PNG, or GIF

Tracking: Access a dashboard for performance metrics.

Discount Codes:

Use code EXPLORE15 for a 15% discount on a 3-month commitment.

Use code DISCOVER25 for a 25% discount on a 6-month+ commitment.

 
In-Content & Mobile Ads (320x50) - $100 per month

These ads are displayed throughout the website, both within content and across mobile devices, ensuring prime visibility where users are most engaged. Whether browsing on a mobile device, desktop, or tablet, your ad will capture attention within key content areas, including business listings. On mobile, these ads will also appear in leaderboard locations for added visibility. In the future, these ads may also be placed within blog posts as they are introduced on the site.

Ad Size: 320 x 50 pixels

Placement: Displayed within content across the entire website, including business listings and mobile-only views. These ads will also appear in leaderboard locations on mobile devices.

File Format: JPG, PNG, or GIF

Tracking: Includes access to an advertising dashboard to monitor clicks, CTR, and impressions.

Discount Codes:

Use code TRAVEL15 to save 15% on a 3-month commitment.

Use code VISIT25 to save 25% on a 6-month+ commitment.

We are incredibly grateful for your support through these advertising opportunities. Your contribution helps fuel our organization and allows us to continue serving and uplifting the communities we care about. Together, we’re making a lasting impact!

What can I do in the Advertising Dashboard?

The Advertising Dashboard allows you to manage all your active and past ads. You can easily track your ad performance, including click-through rate (CTR), total clicks, and impressions.

What information will I see in the Advertising Dashboard?

You’ll have access to detailed metrics such as:

CTR (Click-Through Rate): The percentage of users who clicked on your ad compared to the number of times it was shown.

Clicks: The total number of times users have clicked on your ad.

Impressions: The total number of times your ad has been displayed to users.

How do I access the Advertising Dashboard?

After logging in, you can access the Advertising Dashboard from the 'Advertising Dashboard' page, located in the footer, or by accessing 'Manage My Listings'.

If you’ve forgotten your password, simply click on the “Forgot Password?” link on the login page and enter your email address. You’ll receive an email with a link to reset your password. Follow the instructions in the email to create a new password and regain access to your account.

Skip to content