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
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.
If 1% of the world’s Excel users bought our add-in
Every few months someone sends me their business plan and asks how we might work together. Most of them are interesting. Yet every now and then the plan contains something along the following lines: Vision and optimism are essential when launching a business, but so is realism.
Back from China
I’m back, I’m tired, and I’m swamped with email. Business will resume shortly.
Me and 22,000,000 people in Beijing
Last year I was invited to speak at a Digital River conference in Shanghai. Not surprisingly, I had no idea that I was going to get trapped by an Icelandic ash cloud. Tomorrow I leave for another DR event in China, this time in Beijing. I have no idea what the banner says, but sincerely hope it has nothing to … Read More
Q: Why is Google AdWords so complicated?
A/Q: Why do you think? Everyone knows that Google make most of their money from AdWords. And anyone who uses AdWords knows that it’s a seriously powerful system. Like many powerful systems, it has a lot of options. Here’s where I get to the point. Almost every single default is in Google’s favour and not yours. A new campaign will … Read More
Too much marketing leads to madness
When I first started shaving, I tried a Bic disposable razor. It made mincemeat of my face, but never tried to be anything more than the cheap, disposable razor that it was. I remember when the first “twin-blade” razor came out. It was quite interesting because it was new and different, and it actually did seem to shave closer than … Read More
“My son’s website is absolutely wonderful”
We all like praise from our parents, but should you be looking at them to critique your website? Better still, ask a friend. Better still, ask a client or customer. Better still, ask a potential client or customer who didn’t buy what you sell. Best of all, look in your Analytics account. You’ll find plenty of answers, and unfortunately plenty … Read More
Amazon’s navigation simplicity – only in the UK?
If you’ve ever heard me speak about website design, there’s a good chance you’ll have heard me mention Amazon. Among other things, their website is a great example of simplicity. At least superficially. I’ve always been impressed that despite an astonishingly large number of items for sale, their main navigation contains only 12 items: As someone who works extensively with … Read More
SEO disaster
I remember with fondness the good old days of Search Engine Optimisation. When I could optimise a client’s web page and see the results within a few days. Today that’s changed. Today SEO has become more difficult and potentially more dangerous than in the good old days.
