buying and selling online

Whilst listening to one of my favorite podcasts, now named the .net podcast (from .net magazine), Paul Boag introduced the idea of buying and selling websites.

In the reality TV world that we live in, we are all no doubt aware of the potential of house improvements to sell at a healthy profit. Paul and his guests discuss the idea of 'developing' existing websites purely with the intention to sell. The result of their conversation is essentially: what is it that you want to achieve from your business? I.e. what do you enjoy? Buying and selling suits some people, many others build their businesses online purely because they are passionate about their subject. It's a case of horses for courses... but there is plenty of potential for buying an existing website, revamping for profit and reselling.

Have you spotted a website that you think you could achieve more..?
Better to buy to redevelop, or to build from scratch?

You decide! :o)

Poor Google

Google seem to have landed themselves in hot water as a result their recent purchase of YouTube. The sensationally successful website, which was bought for $1.65 Billion in stock late last year has been targetted by media company Viacom. Viacom claim that YouTube intentionally breach copyright to generate revenue, through advertising and so are looking for $1million from the search engine giant.

Google will have to think very carefully, as conceding any ground on this will put them in line for a many, many more lawsuits.

The lesson to the rest of us though is to make sure that any content that we use on our websites is entirely legal. Copyright infringement can be a very serious game.

We, of course, ensure that all content (copy, media, imagery etc) we use is entirely legitimate. However when Content Management systems are used, website owners have the opportunity to maintain their sites. It's important the significance and implications of using other people's work is understood - in particular, what is and what isn't legal theirs to use.

Who to seo?

If there is one service that sells itself, it's search engine optimisation, but how do you choose your SEO consultant.

This has got to be a no-brainer. To find a great SEO consultant, surely, we just search "search engine optimisation" in Google (although not the only search engine, without a doubt the most important). But how many people that engage an SEO consultant actually check where their new supplier ranks at their own trade?

So, what does come up top?

"Search engine optimisation" @ Google: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=search+engine+optimisation&meta=

No real surprises, a host of companies offering SEO. At least we know that they know what they're doing!

Good to see, Wikipedia featuring well too!