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How fantastic is that, mug shot in a national! 

Definitely one of those in the right place at the right time! Or was it a reward for positive Karma... 

ohhhh I've gone all spooky do...

Good feedback as always Barney.

The old forum used to be 10 posts and then you automatically got a link, which we scrapped when it moved here. This got rid of 90% of the quick post counting crowd who were passing through.

We've also dumped about 5000 old users, so any old accounts are cleaned out from time to time. Links wise, if a member takes out a free listing then they can show their free business listing in their signature.

If they upgrade, then they can show a web link. Or we will reward regular posters by letting them have a web link, but agree completely, if they then stop posting, then they lose that functionality.

But its always a fine line/juggling act between spam, being too draconian, and being easy going and encouraging engagement.

4 years.. blimey.. Clive, need a bigger statue!

Apple iPad sales have slumped apparently as there seems to be a worldwide decline in tablets, but sales have soared in the new bendy iPhone

Mac sales also seem to be on the up, so what's going on with the humble iPad? Is it that everyone who wants one has got a tablet now?

Must admit my iPad2 now is a good 3 years old, but going strong without any issues, as long as it doesn't have an Apple built in self destruct button!

Hopefully it should be fine for the next 3+ years, if my 2002 iPod is anything to go by 

Unlike a business laptop which seems to limp along to the 3 year old point (if we're lucky) and then is ready for retirement/bin.

I think the iPad is a great gadget, useful for a bit of surfing whilst sat on the sofa, or showing granny some photos, but I could never use it as a business tool. Maybe that's the iPads or any tablets main problem?

Where as my phone has now become a critical business tool, checking and responding to mail etc on the move. I can't imagine many business owners surviving without a smart phone these days, but do you really need a tablet?

Anyone agree/disagree or does anyone use a tablet for business?

Very good point about moneysavingexpert, and they do tread a nice ethical line about declaring any interest if there is any affiliate link or kick back.

I'd like to say I started a business for philanthropy reasons but it wouldn't be the truth. I was interested in generating commercial success using online technology, after working and watching ebusiness explode while working for IBM. I did have a romantic notion of generating tens of thousands for the Air Ambulance, but only after securing my own future.

In reality business plans and forecasts proved to be almost comical/embarrassing looking back nearly 10 years ago, and completely unrealistic.

But once you start networking, you suddenly realise you can learn a lot from other people as well as help people out which is where I started getting interested in forums and online communities.

Now I get a lot of pleasure from the forum and waffling online, as well as using it as a learning platform for my own interests such as ongoing SEO techniques, semantic search etc. If that helps out other people or gets some discussion or debate going, then even better  Nothing worse than talking to yourself 

As a business we are lucky enough to be able to indulge in some online waffling without worrying about the forum having to generate serious revenue, leaving that to the directory side and other projects we have on the go.

But my ideal would be for forum members to find information that's useful, can be applied to their business or solves a problem or issue they might have. Or if nothing else, raises a smile after a busy week looking at one of Jans cartoons!

Originally Posted by Barney

“ Yes I switched it off for a reason was getting far to many emails from SEO geeks called John or Lucy from India who all seem to sign off by waffling about can spam”

Hmm that's a little worrying, let me know if you get any spammy PM's as I'm hoping our spam filter has those in check.

That's the bit I don't get. It's handy to have a quick comparison, but unless they have got some great deal with whatever vendor you are looking at, then you are better off going direct who nine times out of ten will have some kind of promotion for new punters.

Or maybe most people just blindly click away and don't read the small print?

Originally Posted by Barney

“And what do you get for contributing for nearly 3 years?”

A marble statue in your honour which Clive has been chiselling away now for years 

You do know you can show your listing and a link in your signature? I'm assuming you've chosen to switch it off?

So are you looking at paid advertising? 

PPC could be a good place to start but time consuming if you are doing it yourself and have little experience of it.

Maybe touch base with local housing associations who work with local residents groups, committees and become known as a local trusted roofer.

Local Trades type websites and try a few adverts, see which ones work, and drop the rest.

Possibly social media could be an an angle but don't expect instant overnight success.