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Scottish Business Owner

Scottish Business Owner

New Member
I dont want to bog this down in lots of theory etc but I think it's fair to say if you added Scotland to the end of the title tag (bit in the blue bar) you'd be number one for low cost corporate video scotland as well.

I think you're right Matt in highlighting the number of people out there who constantly try to fool and manipulate the search engines. It's a constant struggle for the more credible people in this industry to get noticed. I'm by no means saying peteark is not credible as he does make some valid points. I do think SEO can be over thought and many people spend far too much time on it. The basics are as far as i'm concerned very simple and can certainly be applied without too much hassle.
 

peteark

Banned
A little history about myself and my business

After serving a full career in HM forces as a mechanic, I fancied a change of direction.

Before leaving the forces I was heavily involved in health and safety as well as accident investigation, I gained a NEBOSH diploma and secured a position in the oil industry as an health and safety auditor. However due to the fact I have a young family and a wife who still serves in the forces, it was decided I had spent enough time away. So reluctantly I looked for something else to do.

I quickly realised that working on the Internet would suit my lifestyle of constantly moving from one country to another. I decided to work for 2 years on my own marketing website, if I could make it a success I would then consider taking on clients. This was a tough period for me of working day and night as well as worrying about my wife, who was in Iraq for 8 months, being mortared daily.

Eventually I took the plunge and took on a few clients, this led to a few more etc etc.

My business is still relatively new and over the next few years will continue to evolve, until I can pass it onto the kids and retire to the golf course.

My business is registered in Scotland, however I am from Leeds, my wife is Scottish, she comes from a place called Annan.

Building up a business from scratch and seeing it grow has been very satisfying, however I sometimes wonder if £800 a day on the rigs would not have been a better option than the nake oil'd world of SEO.
 
I dont want to bog this down in lots of theory etc but I think it's fair to say if you added Scotland to the end of the title tag (bit in the blue bar) you'd be number one for low cost corporate video scotland as well.

The headers are the same ones that have been up there literally for years; and if you watch it will go in and out 'with the tide'. The curious thing about this is that the domain is parked elsewhere and simply re-directed to "www.mquinn.co.uk/home.htm"

I had a list somewhere of the other strings that produced 'top three' results ('scottish video producers' was one I think) and they were pointing to various pages within the site. As for inbound links (and the other theoretical stuff) I doubt if there are more than a handful and the whole site is littered with web design and SEO no-nos... and yet :D

The basics are as far as i'm concerned very simple and can certainly be applied without too much hassle.

Quite so . Certainly it's a good thing to help the search engines find you easily. But even the best intentioned SEO people find themselves embroiled in a virtual battle with those who want to 'short' their way to the top. What troubles me is that the current situation really queers the pitch for folk who's businesses centre around their websites. It's not good for business and it's not good for consumers.
 
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peteark

Banned
If you want a successful website as far as search is concerned you need to view all the main sub pages as a homepage, with work a sub page can out rank any website as proved with my directory.

The main problem surrounds content, most people prefer image based website however search engines love text. Hence lies the problem for ecommerce sites. In the last 3 months I have been involved in the building of Bulgarian Property, Bulgaria Property, Hamper, Hampers, Christmas Hampers, xmas hampers and Corporate Branding, Promotional Merchandise the common theme with all these sites is the amount of written content they contain. This added to good quality inbound links, added daily has resulted in all 3 ranking highly in semi competitive sectors.

People want quick results, however very few are prepared to put the hard work in.

Content, links and a search engine friendly website, however this is only good if your product or services are viewed favourably
 
If you want a successful website as far as search is concerned you need to view all the main sub pages as a homepage, with work a sub page can out rank any website as proved with my directory.

The main problem surrounds content, most people prefer image based website however search engines love text. Hence lies the problem for ecommerce sites. In the last 3 months I have been involved in the building of XXXXXXXXXXXXXX the common theme with all these sites is the amount of written content they contain. This added to good quality inbound links, added daily has resulted in all 3 ranking highly in semi competitive sectors.

People want quick results, however very few are prepared to put the hard work in.

Content, links and a search engine friendly website, however this is only good if your product or services are viewed favourably

We actually HAVE several SEO specialists already on the forum. As well as a solid body of excellent web designers who know their stuff inside out. And many a fine heated discussion we've had too; all good banter. However to date NONE have blazed straight into the forum with a pitch. In fact I don't recall seeing ANY evidence of people link building or pitching on the boards. And that's one of the things that differentiates SBF from most other business discussion boards; the majority of which have degenerated into 'linkspam farms'.

Sharing insight is one thing. Using the forum to push push push your own agenda is another. We're bright enough to know that by posting those links when you could have simply said "I have been involved in several projects" you're essentially promoting your own aims rather than contributing to the pool of knowledge.

The reason I reacted in the way I did to your posts is that it was obvious to me from you second post that your aim was to get your promotional piece in. To get your links and push what it is you push. Just SEVEN posts into your membership and it's plug after plug after plug...

We're not daft. We know about SEO; we know the basics; some know much more. Some of us might chose to ignore and dismiss SEO. Some embrace it wholeheartedly. But we all know about the technique where a few glib comments on a forum are used to support link after link after link... :closedeyes: And one thing is CERTAINLY for sure; the person who designed Brian's site REALLY DOES know what they're doing. That much is OBVIOUS, and in that respect, in this context, your comments really are akin to teaching your Granny to suck eggs...

Now; if you want to start a thread about basic SEO (leaving out the linkspam) I'm sure folk will be pleased to engage with that. But to get back to the OP the bottom line is Brian's is an good site. Well designed, well thought out. Works well. Not perfect (but them who's is? :lol: ) But there's certainly nothing BASIC wrong with it!
 

peteark

Banned
Matt you should leave the glue for the teenagers. There is plenty wrong with Brian's and your websites from an SEO standpoint. You cannot see it because you don't understand the fundamentals of SEO, nothing wrong with that, I don't know how to produce corporate videos or would I try to convince anyone I did.

Ask this question, how much business does either website generate? The answer will tell you if there is a problem

Generic meta tags are not a good idea
Poor keyword research results in people saying they are number 1 on Google for terms no one searches for
validation???
Image headers, never a good idea
Alt attributes, hmmm
menu duplication
sitemap?
Short description tags
generic title tags
have a look at the source code header on this page
Producing a Video; your free guide to the process from TFGtv.

That's after a 1 min browse

I could go on, but like you say you and Brian have no interest in SEO and you sites are fundamentally sound, as that's the case there is nothing further to discuss on the subject.

Post 7..... (1 link)

Just to confirm to anyone reading this thread, we are not looking for any clients at this moment in time
 
Matt you should leave the glue for the teenagers. There is plenty wrong with Brian's and your websites from an SEO standpoint. You cannot see it because you don't understand the fundamentals of SEO, nothing wrong with that, I don't know how to produce corporate videos or would I try to convince anyone I did.

Ask this question, how much business does either website generate? The answer will tell you if there is a problem

Generic meta tags are not a good idea
Poor keyword research results in people saying they are number 1 on Google for terms no one searches for
validation???
Image headers, never a good idea
Alt attributes, hmmm
menu duplication
sitemap?
Short description tags
generic title tags
have a look at the source code header on this page
Producing a Video; your free guide to the process from TFGtv.

That's after a 1 min browse

I could go on, but like you say you and Brian have no interest in SEO and you sites are fundamentally sound, as that's the case there is nothing further to discuss on the subject.

Post 7..... (1 link)

You've ALREADY been told that I don't give a monkeys about SEO. Doesn't mean I don't know about it; I simply don't CARE about it. It's not that long ago I was teaching multimedia and web design to HND level; they don't ALLOW you to do that unless you're qualified to do so!

And NO-WHERE have I suggested my site was anything other that outdated and neglected. the vast majority of that material is based on code that was first cobbled together in 1997!

And as for the glue comment. Enough with the un-called for personal insults. As I said; you know what you can do with your trashy druggie/glue sniffer jibes. And they say a damn sight more about your mentality than they do about me....
 

peteark

Banned
Apart from the link, the comments are based at both websites.

You have stated Brian's site is fundamentally sound in terms of SEO did the designer checked the code validated?

You know as well as I do, that both of your sites are unoptimised, no great shakes with that. You are just twitchy because you think I am pluggin my business, the true is your a forum bully who needs standing up to, that's all.

Your first post on this thread shows that

Anyhow bedtime soon, I am an hour in front of you guys
 
You know as well as I do, that both of your sites are unoptimised, no great shakes with that. You are just twitchy because you think I am pluggin my business, the true is your a forum bully who needs standing up to, that's all.

I'm no bully. You'll certainly get a very robust debate from me; and you'll find me frank to the point of bluntness. And EXTREMELY skilled at shutting down vacuous arguments from every corner. But I'm not the sort of intellectual dwarf who, for instance, when cornered starts trying to suggest that my opponent is a substance abuser; THAT is the mark of a bully! THAT is the mark of an abuser... You've come here, abused the forum and when caught out tried to abuse me. But guess what Peter; I don't cow-tow to the likes of you. I don't fold to bullies.

Why would I CARE about you promoting your business? Although I'm well qualified and used to teach it; I don't DO web design and don't give it a lot of thought. I haven't so much as a penny invested nor the slightest interest in any business that does. Twitchy at your business activites? No; ANGRY that you should come to this small virtual community and abuse it. What I care about, is the integrity of this forum. The 'net is littered with formerly successful boards that have been ruined by people likes you. The truth is you're just a spam artist who joined this forum with the sole purpose of promoting your own particular brand of snake oil. You didn't come here to share experiences or develop the community. As I said previously; from your second post onwards it was CLEAR that your agenda was to poke holes in something so as you'd make an opening for your own products to be promoted....

My first post on this thread simply reflects the fact that I'm bored silly with fakes, frauds and flim-flam men who think they can just drift in as self-proclaimed experts and have the world drop at their feet. As I said we have several REAL web designers here and REAL SEO experts here.....
 

peteark

Banned
Matt I see the tag bully certainly hit a nerve.

You are right I was in the REME a job I enjoyed, the way you speak down about ex-military people, shows what your real feelings towards the people who do or have done more for this country in 1 day than most do in a lifetime, you should be ashamed of yourself. The shame is you are not alone, there are many that share your attitude.

I don't have to validate my business or credentials to anyone, let alone a troll like yourself, if you look on my website, there are a list of clients and a list of testimonials, these are the people you need to speak to in relation to the professionalism of my business.

If the words I have spoken on this forum are untrue, why are more people not jumping to your defence? The founder of the forum asked me to post a little about myself and my business, I did so, which left me open to more abuse.
 
Matt I see the tag bully certainly hit a nerve.

You are right I was in the REME a job I enjoyed, the way you speak down about ex-military people, shows what your real feelings towards the people who do or have done more for this country in 1 day than most do in a lifetime, you should be ashamed of yourself. The shame is you are not alone, there are many that share your attitude.

I don't have to validate my business or credentials to anyone, let alone a troll like yourself, if you look on my website, there are a list of clients and a list of testimonials, these are the people you need to speak to in relation to the professionalism of my business.

If the words I have spoken on this forum are untrue, why are more people not jumping to your defence? The founder of the forum asked me to post a little about myself and my business, I did so, which left me open to more abuse.

The tag bully hit a nerve because I despise them....

I grew up in a scheme FULL of people like you; bullies and thugs who think they can just steam in and take what they want without earning it; then when someone challenges them they try to reduce everyone to their level...

And let's get one thing very straight; YOU are the one who opened up with the abuse. Not me; YOU!

As for the "people who have done more for this country" bit. Well; I've heard that one before and I know plenty who hide behind it. I happen to live in a village part of which is an ex-military base. Well over half the people I know are ex-military. And most of them have been chewed up and spat out by the system. Some realise they need to re-train and do so legitimately, going back to college, getting legitimate qualifications and carving out legitimate careers for themselves. They're the ones with no illusions about the military.

The rest can't hack it. And of a Friday/Saturday night the streets 'round here are littered with them; Drunk, drugged up. Men in their 40's behaving like teenage thugs. Others, basically kicked out without any skills that'll make them a living become real mug-hunter fodder. I must know TWENTY people within a few streets of here that have bought into lame franchises... Rug-cleaning, Vinyl cutting, Windscreen repairs, day trading, Kirby Hoovers... All doomed to failure from the outset; And ALL convinced that all they have to do on civvy street is bully their way in to professional positions that others have had to spend DECADES achieving... Damn right I talk down to the likes of you; what's to look up to? If you were any good as a mechanic you'd be running a garage or an engineering shop! The number of EX-REME who you couldn't trust to put a plug on a toaster or who can hardly put a nut smaller than a 1/2" on the end of a bolt without crossing the thread is the stuff of legend!

Thing is about the only one of the services that actually provides people with some credible skill is the RAF; the Navy maybe to a lesser extent.... I've had plenty of students who were ex-military; and it's aye the Ex-Army who think they know it all and blaze in trying to push other students around. Aye the army that imagine they don't actually have to work to pass the exams; simply turn up waving their epaulettes... And funnily enough aye the ex-army who make up the tiny number of students who get booted out on their backside for ill-discipline....

People don't need to jump to my defence; they know I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself!

As for the professionalism of your business.... Well actually you DO have to validate your position. Your very FIRST post was where you tossed the ball in the air. That was politely batted back to you. In your second you elected to pontificate to folk on the basics of SEO. At best that was patronising...

When I sprung that transparent little opening gambit of yours you accused me of abuse. And you know perfectly well you'd had none. In other words, like the bully that you are when you were caught out you lashed out and started with your cheap, nasty tacky little jibe alluding to drug abuse....

When you were caught out on that one your started trying to dismantle my site in SEO terms EVEN THOUGH you'd been TOLD it wasn't something I'd placed the slightest store by.... But then we got to the meat of the matter; the simple fact that you joined this forum SIMPLY to plug your own business; to seed links back to your own sites...

YOUR posts are LITTERED with linkspam.... Bulgarian property, businesses for sale, car parts, wedding jewellery, Christmas hampers printed bags.... And when someone springs you at your sad little game they're a druggie or a glue sniffer....

Like I say; if you want to see a bully and an abuser; go look in the mirror.
 
Scottish Business Owner

Scottish Business Owner

New Member
Peteark,

Like Matt has said he is more than capable of defending himself and his comments but I think it's only right that I also express my concern at the nature of your posts. I think it's unlikely you will have endeared yourself to anyone on this forum and I think it's quite clear what your motives are and they certainly dont revolve around supporting the community and helping to develop it.

Many people think that posting a few times on a forum like this is all they have to do but it couldn't be further from the truth. This is just like networking where relationships need to be developed and nurtured it's not about steam rolling in and alienating as many people as you can as quickly as possible. If your intentions on here are purely self motivated then please do us all a favour and stop posting becuase you're not helping anyone.
 

peteark

Banned
Apart from your ramblings, you make a few half decent comments, that said you have the ability to paint everyone with the same brush, this is wrong as well you know.

The problem with the military is its an insular organisation, that can be a breeding ground for all types, including bullies. I spent 12 years working with the boys from Hereford, Aldershot and Plymouth in these 3 places I met enough bullies to fill a football stadium.

The problem does not lie with the lack of intelligence in soldiers, more with transition from military life to civy street, this is better than it used to be, but still very poor.

For me, I would sooner put the military lifestyle I had behind me, however its difficult as my wife is an officer and still has 12 years to serve.

Saying all that who is better, the person who under fire saved a young girls life in Kosovo or some 2 bit tutor who's life never really amounted to much, leaving him to live a bitter and twisted lifestyle.

I read your website last night, rather than highlighting the positive aspects of your business, the site is full of digs towards your peers, all very odd.

I think you need some medical assistance

Anyhow, some of us have work to do.....lol
 

peteark

Banned
I had or have no agenda, however I understand the stance you have taken.

New guy arrives and takes on the board bully, the result is............

I am sure you have seen this all before, good luck with the forum, networking etc.
 
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I think you need some medical assistance

More abuse Peter? More bullying? Who's holding the paintbrush? You'll find that's a corner... :001_rolleyes:

My site isn't littered with digs at my peers. However you will find me railing against organisations that issue pseudo-academic qualifications in exchange for money. You will find me railing against those who sport those fake qualifications.... That; as an alternative preferred by some to spending 4 years at a legitimate college learning the basics of the business before moving on to a job as a junior runner and working their way up from there...

One's hard work; the other's a cop out....

As for the 2-bit tutor bit. I think you need to get your facts straight. :D 30 years in the business. Over 250 programmes behind me. Quite a bit of legitimate academic study. Several awards, including some major ones. I lecture by invite at one of Britain's leading media colleges and sit on SQA qualifications design teams. Worked in news (Thames/ITN/CNN) for many years and have been under fire in both the Falklands and Belfast. I've had a sound recordist beaten half-to-death (and left permanently disabled) while recording a story in Leith and the only reason he's still alive is that I managed to lamp the guy who was jumping on his neck with a large broadcast video camera. Served 4 1/2 years as a special constable and have personally pulled several people out of situations where their life was in immediate danger from fire (i.e RTAs) or on two occasions while they were being attacked with sharps.... On one occasion me and two colleagues (one a WPC)had to literally wrench a young girl from a machete wielding nutcase while being pelted with bricks by the local 'worthies'..... We hadn't even been issued with ASPs at that time; just old fashined Truncheons!

Yeah; two-bit tutor; that's me right enough. I can only dream of aspiring to the dizzying heights of flogging car parts, Bulgarian bomb sites and Christmas hampers...:001_rolleyes:
 
Gordon N

Gordon N

New Member
the way you speak down about ex-military people, shows what your real feelings towards the people who do or have done more for this country in 1 day than most do in a lifetime...

Eh? Did I miss something?

As most of the regulars here on SBF know I too am ex-military, I can see no evidence prior to the above quoted post of talking down to ex-military people?? And to be fair the comments made after the above quoted post in most cases are quite fair! :)

As for not jumping to Matt's defense, yeah like he needs it! ;)

Matt is (from what I can tell) a well educated, articulate, talented and reliable forum member who I can only assume is an authority in his field. What I respect about Matt is his ability to speak his mind directly without mincing words, and get his point across with an often entertaining use of the english language!

NOT a defense, just an observation.

Regards,

Gordon
 
Scottish Business Owner

Scottish Business Owner

New Member
Peteark,

You've been on the forum five minutes and accused someone of being bully, get a grip!

You then resort to personal attacks on people which I find totally unacceptable and if you continue to do so will result in you being banned.
 
Third Sector Lab

Third Sector Lab

New Member
Lots of white space and the photos really stand out in the gallery section. Love it!
 
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