MBardwell

Hi all, I have read a previous post regarding buying off plan but it was over 3 years old and a lot has changed since then (market etc) so what do people think of buying off plan and are there any advantages/disadvantages that maybe i wont have thought of... any pitfalls to be aware of etc etc. Any help much obliged, potential property is a 2 bed apartment in Swallownest. Thanks Mark

Thanks for you replies, i will have a look later today at the ideas you have mentioned. I already have a facebook page for the website but i know that this alone will not create the traffic needed. Mark

Dear All, As the title suggests i have recently started a side venture (im currently in full time employment). The main way it will succeed is by website traffic and subsequent conversion of this traffic to customers. The website in question is http://www.discounthub.co.uk. My knowledge of websites and SEO is very limited. I would be very appreciative of any comments (negative or positive) and pointers on the way to go now. I would particularly like to know what people think the best route is for getting my site "out there". Of course i know not everything in life is free and most people will charge for advice etc.... please feel free to PM me if you feel you can help further. Thanks Mark

thats a really broad opening post.. it will all depend upon the demand placed upon that particular business for its products or services. There is no set way to run a business and no set way that the working day should pan out. I agree with Karis you need to be dedicated and remember that you will ultimately know what is best for your business over and above anyone else.

Not wanting to cause a stir but would i be right in saying that most people on here who are blaming the owner are not owners of dogs and vice versa? I think the main issue with the first post is not the blame but the fact they left the scene. The drivers who left the scene could not be dog owners surely?

I play for Frecheville now, i will have a look for the name on the honours board but i know some records were lost in a fire a few years ago, will repost if i see anything. Mark

It may also be best to stay as a sole trader to start with as if it is a new business it may well be that a loss is made in the first year of trading. This loss can be offset against employment income for the same year and produce an income tax refund. Accountancy fees are also way higher on a Ltd company over sole trade accounts. You only start paying tax at 40% when you breach the 40% tax bracket, currently £36000. So if you earned £40000 a year, £4000 of this would be taxed at 40% etc. Mark.

Surely any self funded advertising can only be good for you? If you are confident that you can at least break even on it then i cant see how there can be a downside if you dont spend that much time on it personally. Its effectively free advertising for your blinds company and advertising that on the same scale would cost a lot of money!

Thanks for the replies, Paypal accepted the payment without a hitch. Problem sorted. Thanks Mark

Wouldnt paypal come up with the same fraud protection?

Hi All, I have a customer based in Egypt who wants to pay me by card. I set up a google checkout account but for some reason google cancelled the transaction for fraud protection (I know the customer well, i know this cancellation is incorrect). Is there any way i could take payment from him by card without a massive set up fee or ongoing costs, i would expect to take payment by card perhaps up to 5 times a year from customers as most are cash or cheque payers. Any help will be good help, thanks! Mark

I work for Sutton McGrath based on Sharrowvale Road http://www.suttonmcgrath.co.uk or you could give us a call on 0114 2664432 and ask to speak with David Sutton. Mark

If the amount is fairly small and you have some sort of forecasts/ business plan maybe you could apply for a small overdraft, then you dont have set monthly payments that could affect cash flow. Mark

I have just agreed to a box in the book, my business is bookkeeping, which i think is a fairly competitive area and this will cost me £200 for the year. I think a lot of advertising (especially for me) has been "suck it and see". You will eventually find something that works and stick with that, eventually word of mouth should bring you more customers than anything else. Mark

How many in the fleet? What size unit do you need? How many jobs do you intend to carry out? Give us some more info, we may be able to help!! Mark