Facebook advertising is a waste of money

Posted by Dave CollinsMarketing

What a stupid thing to say. Let me rephrase that: We ran a handful of experiments with Facebook advertising and the results were inconclusive. Background: We do a lot of work with Google AdWords, but Facebook really appealed, mainly due to the razor-sharp targeting. With Facebook, for example, we can target people interested in Software Development in the UK and … Read More

Is your SEO technique dangerous?

Posted by Dave CollinsSEO

If you’re wondering whether your SEO tactics might land you in trouble, then they probably will. SEO tactics aren’t a good idea. It doesn’t matter how clever, original or discrete you think your tactic is, Google have seen it before. At best, whatever you do might work in the short term. At worst, it could get you penalised by Google. Imagine … Read More

Is an idiot handling your SEO?

Posted by Dave CollinsSEO

Most online businesses fall into one of three SEO buckets. Those who have no SEO strategy, those who have a poor SEO strategy and those who trust idiots to handle their SEO for them. If you have no SEO strategy then it might be worth tapping into the greatest source of free, targeted traffic in the history of commerce. If … Read More

The danger of knowing it all

Posted by Dave CollinsGeneral

Scene 1 – “been there, done that”: CEO: So what can you do for us? Me: I’ll keep it brief. We bring targeted traffic to your website. Then we make sure that more of your visitors convert. CEO: Hmmm. How do you do bring more traffic? Me: We start with Google. We make sure that your website is optimised both … Read More

The greatest copyright notice – ever

Posted by Dave CollinsGeneral

Hyperbole and a Half is as far as you can get from the bog-standard blog (blog standard?), and it’s more or less the opposite of my chosen type of reading. But it’s wonderful. It’s original, inspired, and it makes me laugh. Anyone who has ever had a completely insane dog will relate to Wild Animal (The Simple Dog Goes for a … Read More

Skype Premium? You’re probably not interested.

Posted by Dave CollinsDigital Marketing

As a long-term user of Skype, I’ve grown to depend on it. I use it daily for video conferencing (work and family), and for making cheap international phone calls when I’m travelling. I was therefore interested to see what a Skype Premium account would offer. Nothing. I don’t have any need for group video, I already have a webcam, and … Read More

Google remarketing won’t work for you

Posted by Dave CollinsDigital Marketing, Website Usability

When I was in Beijing a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting one of the markets that sells a wide range of goods at “too good to be true” prices. Here’s the script of what generally happens. I walk past a stall selling questionably-authentic designer handbags. Seller: [LOUD] Hello Sir, want to buy a designer handbag? Me: … Read More

Describe what you sell in five words

Posted by Dave CollinsWebsite Usability

If you sell software, you probably tell people you meet that you’re a software developer or a programmer. If you tell someone who’s interested in what you sell you talk more about what it does. Today’s challenge is a simple one. Describe what you sell in five words or less.