Design Brothers

I had two heart-to-heart conversations with business owners at the weekend, and it is soul destroying to hear what each one is going through.

They are similar to a number I've had over the years - they have thrown thousands of pounds at websites, social ads, videos and paid ads, because they have been told it works.

How many social media ads and paid promotions do you see from people who pretend to be experts who are making thousands? If they were, they would not be there, telling you, spending thousands on paid promotions. They'd be sunning it up in the Maldives instead.

On a good note, I have no interest in anything associated with sun, sea or sand - just search algorithms and good code. If I can point a business in the right direction, it makes my day.

Long story short. The best way to grow your business online is to do one or two proven things extremely well. Drive into the eye of the storm and get in front of the correct people. One good networking event is better than a thousand spent on social media promotions.

The majority of successful business owners I meet have never even seen Linkedin or social media, however their PA sometimes has.

Investing in one good quality website that works, is far greater than a portfolio of great looking websites with thousands of backlinks, that never see the first page of Google.

Most people we meet - stop, understand, think about what they are spending, then delete their under performing websites and ads, resulting in sizable saving they can spend on better things.

Some invest in a good website, or go to a decent networking event. They stop wasting money when they see these results bear fruit.

Social media has its place - but it's a nice to have rather than a must have. Considering time spent, it will always be less successful than referrals or people who are actively searching out a service online.

Technology can be fun, but it will never replace human interaction, trust and being in the right place at the right time!

What originally started out as a bit of fun has turned out to be some serious business.

This fun was getting websites top in the first search engines; Lycos, Alta Vista, Yahoo and DMOZ

Almost 30 years later, we have hundreds of clients who are first in Google and AI search, for their industry or product, some nationally and some for towns.

It is great to see and meet so many people; and to understand how products are made from start to finish. From the first enquiry, to the first piece of material, to the finished product in the shop and on to the website.

We first visited London Vents at their amazing factory in Croydon two years ago. Today, they are another of our clients who are first for key search terms.

What an amazing evening Hexagon Legal Networking was yesterday.

Over four hours of networking, talks, food and drink. Followed by karaoke in another local bar.

A huge thank you to Maria Jõgi CMktr for organising this wonderful event.

Great to meet Shak Inayat, Solicitor and Mortgage Broker, Emma Lee, Martyn Halls DipPFS, Richard Bisiker C.Dir F.IoD. , Richard Johnson, Brian Rolfe, Gemma Hart, Henry Addico, Emma Aslett, Irina Inayat, Satnam Virdi, Joanna Gaudoin, Jual Ahmed, Craig Dade and so many more.