Adding your business or event in Ostend

Getting started

How do I add my business or event to Ostend City Guide?

Go to Add to the guide, create a free account, and choose what you want to add: a place to stay, a place to eat or drink, a thing to do, a shop or an event. Fill in the form — description, address, photos and contact details — and send it to us. A person checks every submission before it goes live.

Is it free to add a business or event?

Yes. A standard listing and an event are free, with no time limit. We may add optional paid features later, but a basic listing will stay free — and paying will never buy a better position in our guides (see paying to appear higher).

Do I need an account?

Yes — a free one. It lets you come back and update your listing, and it confirms your email address: we send a short code to the address you register with. You can create an account in a minute.

What can I add to the guide?

Anything a visitor to Ostend looks for: places to stay (hotels, B&Bs, apartments, hostels and campsites), places to eat and drink, things to do, shops, and events such as markets, concerts, exhibitions and festivals. We don't list jobs, cars, property or classified ads.

Does my business have to be in Ostend?

Yes. Ostend City Guide covers only Ostend (Oostende) and the coast immediately around it — for example the centre, the seafront, the harbour, Mariakerke, Raversijde, Stene and Oosteroever. A business elsewhere isn't a fit for this guide.

Writing your listing in English

Can I submit in Dutch, French or another language?

No. Ostend City Guide is written for English-speaking visitors, so we only accept listings and events written in English. Submissions in Dutch, French or another language are not published. Write your text as best you can and we'll tidy the English for you.

What you need to provide

What information do I need to provide?

• A description in English, written for visitors: at least 120 words for a business, at least 50 for an event, in your own words.
• The exact address and a pin on the map.
• For a business: your website (starting with https://), and optionally a phone number and a public email address. For an event: the dates and times, and a ticket link if there is one.
• At least one photo you own or have permission to use, ideally 1600 pixels wide or more, with a short description of what it shows.
• Opening hours and accessibility information, where they apply.

What are the photo requirements?

Use photos you own or have permission to use — your own photography, or images the venue has the right to share. Aim for at least 1600 pixels wide so they stay sharp on large screens; we'll accept a smaller photo if it's genuinely all you have, but we may ask for a better one. Add a short, honest description of each photo (the "alt text", which helps accessibility and search engines). Please don't use stock photos that aren't of your place, or images copied from other websites.

Why must my description be at least 120 words, and original?

A thin or copied description doesn't help visitors decide, and it does nothing for you in search engines. We ask for at least 120 words (50 for an event), in your own words, describing what makes your place worth a visit. Text copied from your own or another website is sent back.

My website or booking link was rejected — why?

Links must start with https:// (a secure address). If yours starts with http://, add the "s" — almost every site already supports it. This applies to your website, booking, reservation and ticket links, and your social profiles.

Review and publishing

How long does it take to be published?

A person checks every submission before it goes live, so it isn't instant. We email you as soon as your listing is published, or get in touch if something needs fixing first. A complete form with good photos usually means fewer questions and a quicker review.

What do you check before publishing?

That you're a real business or a real event in Ostend; that the area and type are right; that the description is in English, long enough and not copied; and that the photos are yours to use and have a short description. We may also correct obvious slips.

Will you change my text?

We may lightly edit spelling, British English and house style, and we'll trim anything that reads like an advert. We won't change your facts. If something important is missing or unclear, we email you rather than guess.

How many listings can I add at once?

Up to five in a day from one account. If you manage more places than that — a group of hotels or shops, say — contact us and we'll help you add them.

Managing and claiming your listing

Can I edit my listing after it is published?

Yes. Sign in and open your listing to update it whenever you like. Changes are reviewed in the same way as a new listing, and the version already online stays live until we approve the update.

A listing for my business already exists — how do I take it over?

We write some listings ourselves, so your business may already be in the guide. Open its page and choose "Claim this listing", or start at Claim your listing. We send a 6-digit code to the business email address on file; enter it to confirm you manage the business, and our team approves the claim. If there's no email on file, we'll verify another way.

How do I remove my listing?

Contact us and we'll take it down. If you have an account, you can also ask us to delete it and the details we hold. We only keep what we need to run your listing and to reach you about it.

Visibility, "our picks" and advertising

Can I pay to appear higher or be featured?

No. You can't pay for a better position in our guides or for an "our pick" label — our recommendations stay independent. You can advertise in a clearly labelled advert space, but that is separate from where and how your listing appears.

What does "our pick" mean, and can I request it?

"Our pick" is our own editorial recommendation — places we'd happily send a friend to. We choose them ourselves (at most two per category) and they can't be bought or requested. The surest route onto the list is a genuinely good business with an accurate, well-written listing.

How do I advertise on Ostend City Guide?

We offer one clearly labelled advert space beside each guide and practical page — one advertiser per space, no ad networks and no tracking. See Advertise on Ostend City Guide or get in touch.

Events

How do I add an event?

Choose Add an event from Add to the guide. Give it a title and a description (at least 50 words in English), the start and end date and time, the venue and address, and a ticket link if there is one. Add at least one photo you have permission to use. We review every event before it appears on the What's on agenda.

What happens when my event is over?

Once its last date has passed, the event drops off the What's on agenda automatically. If you run it again, sign in and update the dates rather than adding it from scratch.

Still have a question?

Can't find your answer? Contact us and we'll help. Spotted a mistake in a listing or guide? Tell us there too.