Stop clicking on companies sponsored links. Sounds stupid, but we are wasting billions of pounds a year clicking the wrong links on Google.

We all do it – search for something and click the top link. But did you realise that overtime you do this, you’re costing the company / individual / charity money? Maybe even a few pounds per click.

Instead, why not look for the natural result. Not only will you save them money, Google will earn less and you’ll get a better quality result.

Sponsored links are just that – you can pay to get at the top of the page. We can, for example, advertise above BT when people searched for ‘BT’. We don’t because we’re not stupid.

And, most people that advertise up there don’t know what they’re doing. So you don’t even end up on the right page!

Natural or organic search (where the ‘best result’ appears at the top) is the way to get the best information. If Google’s decided that a site should be at number 1, then there’s probably a few good reasons for this.

And the same applies for your Google Adwords accounts although I’m sure Shakespeare wasn’t thinking along these lines when he wrote that.

If you’re using Google Adwords – make sure you login at least once per week to check the status. Ideally do this everyday, however we know this isn’t always possible.

Over the last few years, we’ve had a few problems with over billing – sometimes due to competition clicking our adverts. But often the problem’s deeper.

Last month, for example, our spend on the Google Display network (formerly content network) went through the roof.

Sometimes things on Adwords change and cost you a fortune but this time, it was a mistake on our behalf – because we’re managing a few other accounts, our own was overlooked. Lesson one – don’t forget about your adverts!!

Google Display Network

The Display Network makes it simple to advertise on other websites around the world. The websites earn money from the clicks. The problem is that it’s hard to decide which sites to advertise on unless you do it manually.

The way it works is simple. If your keywords include the word ‘Wi-Fi Hotspot’ and a forum’s discussing Wi-Fi Hotspots, then depending on how you set your account up, your advertisement (banner or text) will be displayed on the page.

The Display Network has historically cost us a lot of cash but never generated any results. Why? Because generally people using the sites aren’t looking for a Wi-Fi service for their business. But they’ll click anyway because that’s what people do.

In our opinion, if you’re selling something to the general masses, you should use this network, just use it carefully. Set your budget and keep and eye on things. If in doubt, turn it off, recoup and start again. Don’t just let it run.

For more information, visit the Google Adwords Small Business Centre here

When you search for something, like “Wi-Fi Hotspot Company“, the searches you see in the main body of the page are called natural search results.

The results down the side of the page, and sometimes at the top, are called paid search results – companies have paid for these to appear.

Natural search results are generally regarded as being of a better quality because you cannot force your way to the top (legally).

What you’re seeing are results that should be directly relevant to the words you searched for – i.e. your keywords. The higher the result, the better the match.

The process of getting these to the top is called Search Engine Optimisation and agencies charge a fortune to get websites to the top. There are many different ways to do this from buying links to including the correct keywords on your web pages. However the url also has a big effect. For example, Public Wi-Fi (on of our businesses) should appear at number one when people search for “Public Wifi”.

What’s interesting is that, right now, we’re on page 7… Why? Basically because it’s only been running for 30 days and Google doesn’t trust us yet. You can’t just buy a domain and expect it to be at number one within a day.

Google treats the sites on its search network like we do human knowledge. The more they talk about their specific subject, the longer they’ve been around, the more people talking about them and so on, they higher up the results you’ll see them. For example, if you want to understand how a search engine works – you’ll try and ask Eric Schmidt (founder of Google). If you want to know about Wi-Fi – go ask Henry on Facebook.

Most people tend to big themselves up (lie) when talking about their life or business. But no-one’s life’s perfect – don’t let it get you down.

Things go wrong sometimes for everyone, life’s just like that.

It’s quite easy to get stressed out about what others are doing. In fact, it gets obsessive and can take over. If you want to run a successful business, you need to focus on yourself. You need to keep an eye on your competition and the market but don’t obsess over it.

When I started out, I thought it would be a failure if I didn’t make it as big as Branson. Now I realise I was a little naive. Don’t focus on what others have done – set your own targets and goals instead. You need to be happy with what you are achieving instead of what you’re not.

I am having problems reconciling the events of Monday. Certainly, I won’t be leaving the house again for a while – it’s not worth chancing it!

A Fixed Wheel Bike’s Brake Breaks

I ride a fixed wheel bike which has no brakes to speak of. To stop, I rely on being able to slow my peddling down or skid to a halt. Sometimes this is a little hairy in central London traffic but overall, an effective means to an end.

On Monday morning, I experienced some technical difficulties and was completely unable to stop. Hurtling into oncoming traffic, I don’t know how I escaped without injury.

After a pitstop at Condor Cycles (thanks for the help), I moved on only to find my left pedal about to fall off as I advanced through three lanes of traffic. Again, I have no idea how I’m still alive.

An Ex-girlfriend Gets Engaged

Sitting in the pub with my very excellent friend Iona, my phone starts ringing – it was my ex-girlfriend. I let it ring out and called her back while mooching around the supermarket for the evening meal. She sounded serious and proceeded to tell me she was engaged.

A very strange thing it is when you get news like this. Happy and excited for her but a little shell shocked, I paid and left.

Poor Little Duck

Cycling home on my newly mended velo, a duck flies into the oncoming traffic and lands in the middle of the road. After one narrow espace, I jettisoned the bike and dashed into the road. Stopping cars in central London turns out to be a pain in the neck.

Just as I managed to get her out of one line of traffic, a car zooms by and runs her over. I’m left with no choice but to move her carefully to the side of the road and move on.

A day later

My adventures were to continue a day later. Cycling to work, a white van pulled out in front of me. Close to slamming into the site, I made it round in one piece but shouted loudly at him. Seconds later he was chasing me down the road… After forcing me onto the pavement, he continued to harass me verbally. Eventually, as I walked round to get his number plate, he shouted “don’t do anything mate, I’m self employed”… Should have tried harder really shouldn’t you.

And the Moral of the Story is…

How should I know? I don’t think there is one, nor is there a point to this post. All I know is that when you leave the house in the morning, make sure you’re prepared for it. Life’s full of challenges that make it an adventure.

Sending an email to someone about a sales enquiry is a fine to do business but they’re easy to ignore.

Next time you want something, pick up the phone. That’s the easy bit. What’s interesting is that most people can’t say no once you’ve asked the for something.

The problem is asking the question in the first place. Script it before the call and you should be ok. Go on, try it…