New look for croydon business

 
Its been one of those days when nothing seems to go right!

The question we where asking ourselves is did the site have the right graphics.

The answer I thought was no.  After a lot of scratching of heads, Mark (blue sky research)
and I came up with a new image. (must say it was mostly mark!).  Anyway, the business site is now back up and running with the new look and it looks fine!

We're off to get the image right on the main site now, should be finished tomorrow all going well.
Once I got all of this out of the way, got some new stuff to add. like some new film news (spider man 3 and Happy feet.)

Still building the business directory as well.  Another late night!

A new business directory for Croydon

 
Looking through all the differant ways business advertise locally in Croydon, I found that it could become really expensive.  Most of the other sites that do this charge you a basic rate then charge you extra for having things like your e-mail or web address.  I think that this stinks!

My thoughts where is to do one myself.  So thats what I am now working on.  allabout-croydon.co.uk will have two directories.  One for business 2 business users and the other just for all the community.  I am going to charge for placements on the directory but i think it is well worth it.

Listings can be a basic listing which include the Business name, address, tel and fax no, e-mail and website links plus a pic.  A full listing will include all the above but with an added full page which also includes pdf downloads.

I wish that the big players in the world of local directories would look at what they are doing. Advertising in the yellow pages or thompsons can cost the earth for a sole trader or small business.  Getting a little ad in the local papers works out expensive as well.

My advice to all in business would be to go round all the shops in your area that allow postcards up in thier windows and pay £2-4 for 4 weeks.  You will probally get more responce their anyway!

For more info - visit www.business.allabout-croydon.co.uk

Getting the thing live

 
After a year and a half of getting all the bits and bobs ready, finally got the my new web site up and running.  My thanks to Mark (blue sky research blog)  for helping out with some of the graphics (logo and croydon map). Got loads more things to add to the site but for now, at least the basics are live.

Found out today that there is another All about Croydon web site but it is for a Croydon in the US. Being searching around the net to find other sites.  Must say, for the size of our Town, there is not that much to offer on the web.  Maybe, this will change that.

anyway, please take a look at the site and see what you think, comments and suggestions would be appriciated.  That's it for now.  more updates soon.