Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are we?
2. What makes WeAreNetwork™ different?
3. Do you compete with other major search engines?
4. What is the WeAreNetwork™ Franchise System? 
5. How do I manage all the billings and collections?
6. Is my local area or topic available?
7. How is my local territory determined?
8. How big will my territory be?
9. Do I have exclusivity on my territory?
10. How much does a WeAreNetwork™ franchise cost?
11. What do you mean by unencumbered cash?
12. What does the initial franchise fee cover?
13. What are the royalties and other fees?
14. How much can I expect to earn with your franchise?
15. Does WeAreNetwork™ provide financing?
16. How long does it take to get up and running?
17. How do I know if a WeAreNetwork™ franchise is right for me?
18. How long is the franchise term?
19. Do you help me hire staff and sales representatives?
20. What kind of training and support can I expect?
21. How do my staff and sales reps get trained?
22. Is there additional sales training?
23. How long does it take to complete the approval process?
24. Where do I go from here?

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1. Who are we?
We Are Network Inc. is a subsidiary of Vortaloptics, Inc. which is a software development company specializing in Net-native ASP search solutions. The company provides customized search solutions to help businesses to connect with their audience and engage their interest. Vortaloptics™ is currently developing vertical sales channels such as local, residential, magazine, newspaper and radio search properties.

WeAreNetwork.com: Your Search Community™ is a series of global sites that brings together the best local and topic-specific content on the Web to connect people to businesses, and to build local and special-interest communities.

Each site in the network is dedicated to offering only the most relevant topic-specific content; made possible by an extraordinary search technology. Through our sites, users can instantly gain access to local attractions, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, accommodations, businesses, specials and community events. Our topic-specific sites provide instant access to events, gear, and resources.

2. How is WeAreNetwork™ different from other local search directories?
There are many advantages WeAreNetwork™ has over other commonly-known sites.

a. Community-focus websites.
In general, the large search directories are just that – directories. They focus on providing basic business listings. WeAreNetwork™ on the other hand provides not only superior listings, but all other kinds of information on each community or topic. In addition, each site is customized to the local community or topic so when visitors drop in, they feel like it’s a one-stop shop for anything they need to know about their home town or area of interest. WeAreNetwork’s™ community-focus is what users crave and what businesses need to become part of to ensure their ongoing success.

b. Human-built results.
Most large search directories use centrally-controlled programs as well as information back-filled from existing online directories to power their search results.

In sharp contrast, WeAreNetwork™ knows that the best online content can only be generated by humans carefully selecting relevant listings. No algorithm or program can match this. Secondly, no corporation in Silicon Valley can know what the very best steak houses are in your home town. Only a franchisee living right in the community will be able to providing the best, most relevant search results for the user.

c. Superior content-rich results
Go to most large search directories and you will mainly be presented with very basic information on a business; name, address, and phone number. Internet users want to know more than this about the businesses they are considering, and they don’t want to muddle through editorial content to find their websites. WeAreNetwork™ meets this demand by delivering quick-scan facts on each business, instant one-click access their websites, and location maps.  

d. Local presence in the community.
Instead of running an international network from a distant head office, WeAreNetwork™ is structured to have a strong presence in each community through its ambitious and motivated franchisees. These entrepreneurs will establish and maintain strong positive relationships with local businesses and members of the community in general. They will initiate partnerships and organize local promotion efforts to let the community know that WeAreNetwork™ is the best place to visit for local information. For a topic-specific site, a franchisee will promote it online and to groups relevant to the topic.

Other search directories are not set up to have this level of community involvement. They would have to change their entire business model and hire large numbers of employees across the continent. Even if they did, a corporate employee is no match for a motivated entrepreneur.

e. Superior search engine technology
As is mentioned above, most online directories employ automated programs as well as information back-filled from existing online directories to power their search results.

WeAreNetwork™ is powered by the sophisticated patent-pending Vortaloptics™ Search Solution technology. With over 5 years in development, the keyword based search technology allows the local franchisee to build their search directory from the ground up. It also allows for complete and instant control over the individual placement of each search result. For the consumer, the superior keyword search functionality allows for targeted, fast search results. For example, a consumer can type in the word “tooth” and see a list of local dentists. With satisfied users, comes repeat traffic, which is the key to selling online advertisements.

3. Aren’t you competing with Google and other major search engines?
Not really, we complement them. Internet users visit the major search engines to find a broad range of listings. They type in a search term and are most often presented with thousands of results. It’s a shot-gun approach at times. Users then look at a few of the results and select the web site which actually contains the information they are looking for. In our situation, users will use the major search engines to find us, and then we’ll help them get the details they want.

4. What is the WeAreNetwork™ Franchise System? 
WeAreNetwork™ provides a lucrative franchise opportunity for ambitious entrepreneurs. The system includes a local or topic-specific website along with access to the back end search engine technology.

The WeAreNetwork™ system delivers leading-edge technology, marketing tools, and ongoing enhancements that keep up with the times. Maintaining a high quality web presence requires seamless and quick updates as well as ongoing technology innovations. Most online businesses simply don't have the staff to do this. Others feel lost when it comes to the many technical issues related to updating their website consistently. Our search management system allows a virtual novice to make instant changes with the click of a mouse. Additionally, because of our leading-edge technology, experience running an online business and full-time support staff, we’re here to support you every step of the way. You are never on your own.

5. How do I manage all the billings and collections?
If you were to do it yourself, it could be a near-full- time job. With our payment management service, you never have to worry about billing, collections, or accounting. You focus on looking after your clients and generating revenue – we’ll handle the rest.   

6. Is my local area or topic available?
Our preference is for our franchisees to be hands-on and to live in their territories, or for a topic-specific site, to have knowledge and a passion for that topic. Since WeAreNetwork™ is a new franchise system, chances are your local area or topic will be available.

7. How is my local territory determined?
The Trade Area you are awarded as a WeAreNetwork™franchisee is determined by a number of factors: geographic location, population size, demographics, concentration of commercial activity and, of course, proximity to fellow WeAreNetwork™franchisees.

8. How big will my territory be?
The size of a franchisee's territory will vary for each franchise. We generally require a franchisee's territory to include a minimum population of 75,000 but will consider smaller territories on a case-by-case basis and work out the specific geographic boundaries during that process.

9. Do I have exclusivity on my territory?
Yes, you will be the ONLY WeAreNetwork™ franchisee in your assigned trade area. There may be situations where ads are booked for you by us or another franchisee selling a multi-city package and you will simply pay a sales commission. We reserve the right to place national or regional advertisers on specifically designated sections of your website. These are advertisers who wish to advertise in multiple markets. When we book such ads on your website, we will either pay you a commission or put an equivalent amount into the advertising fund which benefits all franchisees.

10. How much does a WeAreNetwork™ franchise cost?
Local search WeAreNetwork™ franchises start at $20,000 USD/CAN and are sold on a population-based pricing model to reflect the size and income-potential of the franchise trade area. A more densely populated area means there are more businesses and a higher income potential for the local franchisee. This model ensures fairness; a franchisee purchasing a small city will pay less than if they were to purchase a larger city. All fees are calculated in the local currency.

11. What do you mean by unencumbered cash?
Unencumbered cash is cash on hand, in a bank account or GIC account, otherwise known as “liquid capital”.  Home equity and RRSPs or 401-Ks are not usually considered unencumbered, except in certain circumstances.  Your assets must be in the country you are applying for a franchise in and you must be able to provide appropriate documentation to substantiate all assets.

12. What does the initial franchise fee cover?
The franchise fee covers the construction and customization of your website, installation of the Vortaloptics™ Search Solution, auto-population of temporary database listings, and initial training.  It also allows you the right to use the WeAreNetwork™ brand name and operating system.

13. What are the royalties and other fees?
This information will be made available to you during the application process. While WeAreNetwork™ royalties and fees are higher than traditional food-service franchises, they are in line with other technology-related and service franchise systems in the marketplace.

14. How much can I expect to earn with your franchise?
How much money a franchisee makes will vary depending on the quality of your skills, efforts, and that of your staff. Market conditions and local competitive activity will also play a role. In a franchise system, profitability can fluctuate from market to market and some locations take longer than others to establish a regular customer base.  In this business, advertisers on contract provide the base for reoccurring monthly income.  During the Franchisee Approval Process, you are encouraged to learn more about the potential profitability of a WeAreNetwork™ and some tools available to create your own projections for your specific area or topic.

15. Does WeAreNetwork™ provide financing?
WeAreNetwork™ will work with your financial institution to provide any information they require to complete your loan application.  WeAreNetwork™ does not provide direct financing at this time.

16. How long does it take to get up and running?
How fast you progress your WeAreNetwork™ business is largely up to you. It will depend on your skills, efforts, and resources. Upon successful completion of the franchise agreement, your website will be up and running within a week. In the meanwhile, you will be going through orientation training. Your first 2-4 weeks will be spent populating your website with the best in local or topic-specific listings. Once quality control checks are complete, you will begin promoting your site in your community. When traffic levels are sufficient, it’s time to begin the sales process and generate revenue. Time frames for each stage of the business will vary from franchise to franchise.

17. How do I know if a WeAreNetwork™ franchise is right for me?
A WeAreNetwork™ franchise can be an outstanding franchise for the entrepreneur who understands direct sales. As a WeAreNetwork™ franchisee, you will work with business owners every day assisting them with their advertising and marketing needs by providing measurable advertising to help them grow their companies.

Because the business is driven by the Vortaloptics™ proprietary search engine technology which requires simple ongoing database maintenance, it is recommended that someone in the franchise be responsible for data entry duties.  A franchisee’s ability to handle both ends of the business simultaneously will depend on their skills and time management abilities.

A WeAreNetwork™ franchise works best where the owner is "hands-on" and active in the business. If you are looking at a WeAreNetwork™ franchise specifically for investment purposes, it is required that you choose a key person who attends all training and is the key contact at the franchise.

18. How long is the franchise term?
It is an initial 5-year term with an unlimited number of 5-year renewal terms.

19. Do you help me hire staff and sales representatives?
The hiring of staff is your responsibility. However, WeAreNetwork™ can assist you with job ads, job descriptions, and interview process recommendations. We can also direct you to a multitude of resources which can raise your ability to make the best hiring decisions.

20. What kind of training and support can I expect?
As a WeAreNetwork™ franchisee, you will receive the full benefits of being part of our exciting franchise system, including training and support. Our easy-to-use self-guided online training, informative newsletters, and live instructional calls, are designed to help you achieve success in your new business.

The WeAreNetwork™ Franchisee Resource Centre (FRC) is a private franchisee-only site that houses all training literature, images, templates, scripts and forms designed to help you grow your business. The FRC saves you hours of time because it’s all set up for you in a nicely-packaged system. It guides you on what to do, when to do it, and best of all, it provides you with the tools to quickly progress forward.

All of this is backed-up by your very own WeAreNetwork™ success coach who will spend time with you each week supporting you on your objectives.

21. How do my staff and sales reps get trained?
You and other staff members are entitled to initial training at no charge. Additional training calls or events held at a later date specifically for staff will be subject to a reasonable fee. Staff members at any time are able to utilize the self-guided training system and materials in the Franchise Resource Centre. You are well advised to hire sales reps who already know how to sell, and simply need to learn about the WeAreNetwork™ services.

22. Is there additional sales training?
WeAreNetwork™ does not offer an extensive sales training program at this time, hence you will want to be strong at sales yourself, or hire people who are. We can however, recommend a number of excellent sales training courses and home-study programs for those wishing to increase their level of sales skills.

23. How long does it take to complete the approval process?
The initial interview stage can take up to three months.  Within that time, you will also be asked to complete an online profile questionnaire and submit proof of assets.  You will also be asked to meet with some of the company’s key executives by phone and in person. We will follow up on your references and requisition a credit review.  Your complete package is then submitted for final approval as a WeAreNetwork™ franchisee.

24. Where do I go from here?
If you think WeAreNetwork™ may be right for you, we invite you to take the first step in our process by filling out the Contact Us form. Once we receive your information, someone from our Franchise Development team will be in contact to provide you with additional information and take you through the qualification process.