Writing Your Organization Overview

Quick Answer

Your Organization Overview is a description of your business that tells potential clients what you do, who you serve, and what makes you unique. Aim for 150-400 words in a professional but approachable tone.

Overview

The Overview is one of two required fields for Organization listings (along with your business name). It's your opportunity to make a strong first impression and convince potential clients to contact you. A well-written overview improves both your credibility and your visibility across Heritage Web publications.

What to Include

Your Overview should answer these questions for potential clients:

Question	What to Write
What do you do?	Your primary services or products
Who do you serve?	Your target clients or customers
What makes you different?	Your unique value proposition
Why should they trust you?	Experience, credentials, track record
How can they engage?	Location, availability, next steps

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Start with Your Core Message

Open your Organization listing edit page
Scroll to the Overview section
Begin with a clear statement of what your business does
Mention your location and years in business if relevant

Step 2: Add Supporting Details

Describe your key services or specialties
Mention who your ideal clients are
Highlight what sets you apart from competitors
Include relevant credentials or achievements

Step 3: Close with a Call to Action

Tell readers what to do next
Mention your availability or consultation options
Keep the tone welcoming and professional

Step 4: Review and Submit

Check spelling and grammar
Ensure the length is 150-400 words
Click Publish Draft to save changes

Example Overview

Good Example:

Houston Family Dental has provided comprehensive dental care to the Greater Houston community for over 15 years. Our bilingual team specializes in general dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and pediatric care for patients of all ages.

Founded by Dr. Maria Santos, our practice combines the latest dental technology with personalized, compassionate care. We understand that visiting the dentist can be stressful, which is why we've created a warm, welcoming environment for every patient.

Our services include routine cleanings, fillings, crowns, teeth whitening, Invisalign, and dental implants. We accept most major insurance plans and offer flexible payment options for uninsured patients.

Our Spanish-speaking staff ensures comfortable care for all patients. We're conveniently located in Midtown Houston with free parking, evening appointments, and Saturday availability.

Best Practices

Do:

Write in complete sentences and paragraphs
Use a professional but friendly tone
Focus on benefits to the client, not just features
Include relevant keywords naturally
Proofread for errors

Don't:

Use bullet points or excessive formatting
Include HTML, hyperlinks, or special characters
Write in all caps or use excessive punctuation
Copy text directly from other websites
Make claims you can't support

Recommended Length

Length	Assessment
Under 100 words	Too short—add more detail
150-250 words	Good for simple businesses
250-400 words	Ideal for most organizations
Over 500 words	Consider trimming for readability

Important Notes

Overview is a required field—you cannot submit without it
No HTML or hyperlinks allowed (use plain text only)
Changes to your Overview trigger a re-review
Your Overview displays on all publications where your listing appears

FAQs

Can I include my phone number or email in the Overview? It's better to use the dedicated contact fields. Those display properly and are easier for clients to use.

Should I write in first person ("We") or third person ("The company")? Either works, but first person ("We") typically feels more personal and engaging.

How often should I update my Overview? Update whenever your services, team, or key information changes. An annual review is good practice.

Can I use the same Overview for multiple languages? You can create separate Overview versions for different languages. Each should be written natively, not machine-translated.