Posts

Curious Question about copyrights 1st December 2010 4:42 PM
In a word no, you cant use someone else's trademark brand/logo or copyrighted image on a sticker you will sell. You need permisison from them to do so.
Keyword traffic estimator 1st December 2010 3:03 PM
Phrase match is your exact keyword but with any word before or after it and not in the middle of it such as 'hairdressers outside milton keynes' (that would be a broad match)

Broad match results include:

1. those words in any order
2. it could have other words before or after it again in any order
3. it might also be just one of the words e.g. milton
4. it could be similar words (eg hairdresser, hairdressing)
5. It could be variants e.g. hairdresser training milton keynes
Keyword traffic estimator 1st December 2010 2:47 PM
Yeah, we have covered that when it became clear Lina wasn't aware of it. Have to say, it looks a lot more complicated to use these days.

However we've gone off track a little as Lina mentioned the flyers werent getting a results then looking at that, I gave my thoughts on why that might be and it's opened up other things as a result.

I would suggest before chucking any money at anything to attract more business, be it on or offline marketing, that the basic, legal things of the business are reviewed and addressed first.

Because to attract more people and then have to close the business down at home for any temporary period of time, even permanent if they reject the planning app, would not be good PR, and she would lose those customers she gained; most would just go elsewhere.

But ultimately, I wouldn't be too concerned that the search engines weren't bringing me customers for a haidressing business as it's not the predominant place people look. My marketing money would be going on other things.
How the weather affects your buisness 1st December 2010 2:34 PM
We have around 10-12 inches in our gardens in most places. Thats not including the drifts built in the corners.

Not sure what everyone else has suffered.

Luckily we can work from home with our computer & phone equipment and some files which luckily we went in and brought home yesterday expecting the worse today, and we have someone in the premises as they only live down the road from there, so they are manning it there so we have all bases covered. I can even watch Jezza in my lunch break!!
Keyword traffic estimator 1st December 2010 2:24 PM
Not that sort of planning permission Lina.

Permission to use the dwelling house as a business where joe public comes to your property and where a business activity takes place that can affect the environment, etc. Trust me, it does apply to you.


No they dont take into account you not knowing. They presume that anyone starting a business will do their research. Just like the tax man expects you to know how much tax and NI to pay, and when. The onus is always on you to make yourself aware; this applies to everything.

Again, and as I did say, that doc was an example so you can see what the council look into. Its irrelevant it was a garage. They consider the same things for your home internally as well as an external building, if not more.

I wouldn't take the time to type out all this information if I knew it did not apply to you; i'm saying this to help you and before someone gets wind of what you are doing and possibly reports you (your competitors will eventually, no fear of that).

You may get all that printing done to find that you cannot operate a salon from in your home address. Just a thought. It's up to you to take this on board or ignore it. If someone trips on your drive and sues you, you will be personally liable. In fact, your current buildings & contents insurances on your house will be void as things stand. If your activities caused an accident that endangered life you could also be prosecuted for failing H&S standards. Yes this sounds extreme, but we all have to comply none the less.
Keyword traffic estimator 1st December 2010 11:09 AM
Planning permission is legally required from the council to run a hair salon from home. They can stop you trading today if they found out. Watch out your competitiors don't report you.

Appropriate insurances are also a legal requirement such as the public liability insurance.

Fire regs would apply so you'd need a H&S inspection.

You do need to make sure you can accomodate disabled people, whether you think they will use you or not. So you need to be legally DDA compliant where appropriate.

When the council come out to inspect your premises they advise everything you need to do (usually before you start) then you go away and put it in place they come back and check everything is OK to trade and off you go. Unless it's al in place to start with of course.

PS I do not doubt the skill level you offer, but if your flyers aren't working i'm saying that the 'home salon' bit could be putting people off. These are merely suggestions. I used to be a business advisor and have advised hundreds of clients over the years when starting up in business, so I have a lot of experience in this area and I still do business mentoring for our local council's enterprise scheme.

Here's an example planning permission document off the 'net you can view where someone has applied to turn their home garage into a salon. Here you can see everthing they consider and review before given permission, along with any limitations of use. It does differ from council to council, so you can ony go by what your enquiries result in, not what worked or didnt work for other people. They look at the house, the room, the environment around you, etc. to make sure it will be OK. How good a hairdresser you are, or how many great testimonials from customers you have, have no bearing on this application.

http://www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/sebc/live/documents/reports/Y664%2013%20SE-08-0094%20Misbourne%20The%20Green%20Risby.pdf
Higher ranking on search engines 30th November 2010 10:58 PM
Hmm, i'm seeing you at Google No. 1 for that phrase, but the Google Places local listings are all piled above you and you dont have a listing in that bunch.

PM me tomorrow and i'll tell you how you might be able to improve your local listing.
Higher ranking on search engines 30th November 2010 10:20 PM
which keywords do you think you'd like to rank on Google page 1 for and where are you currently ranking for this keyword?
Higher ranking on search engines 30th November 2010 8:11 PM
Yes, that page is just for on-page seo, there are other pages on my site menu for keyword research, etc. To be honest there is just loads of info all over the internet about this sort of thing, I think much of it is about how easy it's written and how easy it is to understand. It's hard because you have some people who are completely naive to a website let alone seo, and most of it even after reading, would go over people's heads in its simplest terms even. I think anyone attempting to dabble should gen up loads and read as much and possible before having a go, otherwise, let someone who knows what they are doing, do it. Depends how quickly you want results.
Anyone been following the apprentice? 30th November 2010 6:46 PM
I completely agree with you on all points!

Am I hired?