Still Working

Easter is over, and if it wasn't for all the Facebook updates and twitter tweets, I probably wouldn't have noticed it. Work-wise it's been frustrating but productive.


I took advantage of the Getting British Business Online (GBBO) campaign http://www.gbbo.co.uk/ I got the free website www.powerofchoice.co.uk. It is really easy to set this up. If anyone wants a simple 4 or 5 page website, with no bells and whistles, then this is cool.

I put a form on one of the pages so that people could get my FREE Wheel of Life tool for Excel (if you want a copy go to www.powerofchoice.co.uk. and click the "Free Stuff" link). As I tried to save the page, I was informed that my code was illegal and it was swiftly removed by Google. After much investigation, I figured out how to get the form on the page by using a "Gadget". I am still trying to work out how to get a Facebook "Fan Box" on the site.

Monetising the site with ad-sense also proved a little difficult and I suspect I will have on going issues with adds from power companies, rather than those for "Personal Power" resources.

Installing Google analytics didn't work in the usual fashion either. After much searching I finally got that working as well.  The web site is now satisfactory (but only just) and I am a little wiser.

The most amusing thing is that BT(one of the GBBO partners) called me and said that they had noticed how basic my web site is, and they would build me something better for just £150.00. The other option they offered was training me tyo use the Google sites interface for £150.00.

What no-one has offered is the ability for me to use e-mail on the free domain, not even onemailbox@powerofchoice.co.uk or the ability to set it up elsewhere. This is not critical at the moment but may cause me problems in future.
I haven't read the full T's and C's, but I am betting the domain renewal won't be free in two years time. I am sure that I will be getting many more sales calls from BT as well. I will let you all know when they try and sell me the mailbox.

However, on balance I reckon it's a good deal for me and a great deal for anyone wanting a fairly basic website.

James McGinty

www.bespeak.co.uk

Becoming a Web Star

Listening to a webinar entitled




"Social Media updates for Successful Business"



It is becoming clear that social media is the marketing tool of the future and that it is very effective right now. I am already collecting clients and business via facebook and twitter. http://www.facebook.com/jamesmcginty and @james8734.

As a new business I find this both exciting and daunting. I spend a lot of time updating these sites and also investigating you tube, slideshare, linkedin, ecademy, etc and it eats into time that could be productive in other areas. There is definitely scope for outsourcing at least some of these items.

What I have discovered is that the more you access social media, in a responsible fashion, the better known you become. As you become better known people begin to trust you and are then prepared to buy your products or services.


Jump on the social media band wagon now or get left behind.


James McGinty

www.bespeak.co.uk