Web Wise

Welcome to this introduction to an ongoing series of articles giving members tips on how they can advance their businesses through more efficient use of the web. 

I would initially like to help local businesses who don’t have a website because they aren’t sure that the cost would be repaid.  If you would like to obtain a website name (domain), build a website and host it totally free for 2 years, the answer is “Getting British Business Online”.

This 2010 initiative is aimed at getting 100,000 extra UK businesses online by the end of the year.  It is backed by Google, Enterprise UK, BIS, e-skills UK & BT – details can be found at www.gbbo.org.uk.  The system has put a user friendly ‘wizard’ on the front end of Google’s existing ‘sites’ system, allowing a site to be built and launched in hours and then managed/enhanced via ‘sites’.  It does not at this stage include domain based email addresses but this is being considered by Google.

Living Streams is a GBBO partner and hopes to run some free events, in collaboration with Bucks New University, during late May / early June for interested local businesses.

Future articles will, where possible, be in response to queries from members – these can be general or specific and be related to topics such as website design, e‑commerce, internet advertising, high ranking (SEO), email marketing, social media (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter etc), analytics.  N.B. Members raising queries will not be named in articles.

Best Regards

Tony

Email your web queries to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with ‘Web Wise’ in the ‘subject’.

Welcome from the President

Welcome to the April edition of our newsletter.

The April business meeting was held at Chez Gerrard – many thanks for their hospitality. The meeting attracted 29 members. Annie Mulady, Vice President, presented the winners of the ‘April Fool’ event with a prize of a large jar of sweets courtesy of Beehive Treats in Spittal Street. Emily the Manager of Chez Gerrard gave a presentation on their High Street Restaurant together with an update on offers they are currently promoting. Graham Innes from First Responders spoke about their organisation and how they support the community. Annie also advised the meeting that the virtual tour of the town had now attracted 14 businesses to be promoted on the site. If you are interested in joining the tour, contact www.estatevue.com/platform/uk/marlow/. After the formal agenda was completed, participants had an opportunity to network and enjoy the hospitality of Chez Gerrard. Full minutes of the meeting will be available on our website shortly.

The next business meeting will be at The Compleat Angler, Marlow at 6.00pm on Monday the 17^th May.

This month, our featured business is Crowne Coaching and we are launching  ‘Web Wise’, Tony Thornby will be answering your questions on how to use the web effectively to promote your business – e-mail Tony with your questions and we will publish them in future editions. See his first article below.

Following the success of the “Scarecrow Trail” organised by the Chamber last year, by popular request we organised a further event this time over the Easter holiday. An ‘April Fool’ trail - despite the poor weather the event attracted both local residents and visitors to the town and we received nearly 100 entries from as far as Milton Keynes for the event. The Towers-Goodman family from Maidenhead won first prize, The Kebtane family from Windsor won second prize and third prize went to Sara Helin who only moved to Marlow the weekend of the event.

Members may be aware that in an effort to ensure that the town looks attractive, we own the flower beds positioned across the centre of the town. We have an opportunity for businesses to promote themselves by sponsoring a flower bed, we have two beds outside Zizzi’s at £200 each plus VAT, one outside Fegos in the High Street at £390 plus VAT and one outside Dean Street car park at £460 plus VAT – if your organisation would be interested in promoting your company in this way whilst also ensuring the town looks attractive, please contact Jo Braybrooke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Last year, The Chamber re-launched our website at www.marlowchamber.com. In order for us to maintain and develop the site further, we are now offering a tendering opportunity to local businesses.

What the Chamber is looking for now and ongoing is:-

• Advice/Guidance on future developments
• Advice/Guidance on content
• Monthly development/additions including distribution of the Newsletter (fixed monthly fee - estimate 2/3 hours per month)
• Industry search facility for members section
• Advice/Guidance on position of Virtual Tour
• Quarterly review meetings
• Training on adding new members details & sending out mailshots to all members
• Refresh of home page
• Update images on web site

If you would be interested in proposing for this contract, or know of a local company that may be interested, please contact Jo Braybrooke on above e-mail the deadline for submissions is the 4^th May 2010.

Marlow is one of the first towns to offer interactive virtual tour

Marlow has become one of the first 10 towns in the UK to offer visitors an interactive virtual tour via their computers.

Web users are not only able to see pictures of the town, but with a click of their mouse they will soon be able to enter public buildings and business premises and even pick items from shop shelves.

The interactive virtual tours for market towns are the brainchild of Duncan Curtis, director of Vue UK Limited.

Having spent five years in Canada, two spent working with the software, which was designed primarily for estate agents, Duncan returned to England to promote the idea of virtual tours to market towns.

The software allows shopkeepers to show their wares online, and business owners to tout their services.

Businesses that subscribe to be part of the tour are flagged, and the visitor can walk into business premises and even look at specific offers on shelves – for instance a wine of the week at an off licence.

Subscribing to the service costs businesses just £29 for photography, plus £20 per month hosting.

The initiative is supported by Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce, which is hosting the tour on its website, www.marlowchamber.com

Vice president Annie Mulady, of Mulady Solutions, said: “We now have a way of showing off our picturesque town to visitors, and to people looking to set up or relocate a business in Marlow.

“The virtual tour gives our 100-plus traders the opportunity to make their presence known, and this is especially attractive to off-High Street retailers.

“The interactive virtual tour is a great promotional tool for the town and its business community.”

The virtual tour was launched to businesses at the last Chamber of Commerce business meeting at The Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Individual businesses wanting to advertise on the site should call Duncan Curtis on 0789 116 1176 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Welcome from the President

Welcome to the March edition of our newsletter.

The March business meeting was held at The Crowne Plaza Hotel – many thanks for their hospitality. The meeting attracted 32 members who received a presentation The Crowne Plaza about their facilities and kindly gave attendees discount vouchers to use at the hotel, Duncan Curtis gave a presentation on the ‘virtual tour of Marlow’, more details are in this edition of the newsletter, Graham Birch of Bolton Birch updated the audience on how, why and when you can appeal against rate increases. After the formal agenda was completed, participants had an opportunity to network. Full minutes of the meeting are available on our website shortly.

The next business meeting will be at Chez Gerrard, High Street, Marlow at 6.00pm on the 19^th April.

This month, our featured business is the on-line promotion company, ThebestofMarlow and we also have information regarding the new virtual tour of Marlow – take a look on www.marlowchamber.com

Following the success of the “Scarecrow Trail” organised by the Chamber last year, by popular request we have agreed to organise a further event this time over the Easter period – the 1^st April until the 8^th April. An ‘April Fool’ trail is anticipated this will attract many visitors to the town.

We currently have 20 retailers who will place an item that is nothing to do with their merchandise that is partly obscured so visitors/residents have to view the entire window and become aware of what the outlet actually has to offer. This is a great opportunity for shops to show case their business.

A trail will be produced for participants and a sign will be placed in participating windows advertising the event.

A great deal of advertising is being organised in the press, radio, schools and on varying web sites.