Connections #037 – Web 2.0 – a Developer’s View
Bart Jellema is a highly-accomplished Web 2.0 Software Developer, Database Architect and Ajax expert – originally from the Netherlands, now living in Sydney, Australia.
Bart’s now put his money where his mouth is and become an Entrepreneur – using his software skills & Internet knowledge to launch Tjoos.com, a new Online Coupon Aggregator & Price Comparison site that (less that a year since its launch) is attracting hundreds of thousands of unique visitors every month.
In this lively and informative conversation, Bart discusses some of the fundamental principles of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) that he’s successfully utilized to catapult Tjoos.com to commercially viability in just 9 months.
WEB LINKS:
Tjoos.com – Bart’s new entrepreneurial venture
LinkedIn – Bart’s LinkedIn profile
Facebook – Bart’s Facebook profile
Twitter – Chat with Bart on Twitter
Technation – Blog about start-ups in Australia
Startup-Australia – Sydney-based events for Start-ups & Entrepreneurs
Pollenizer – Web 2.0 Incubator / Consultancy
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Thank you
Stan Relihan
Expert Executive Search: www.expertsearch.com.au
August 11th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Thanks Stan and Bart for another great podcast and sharing the cutting-edge the ideas. I’m off to Twitter! :)
See you next week!
Best to you!
Willaim
August 11th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Congratulations Bart. I’ve enjoyed listening to your experience in growing your business in just 9 months.
With reference to Search Engine Optimisation, I use this company (www.dotcominfoway.com.au)and decided to represent them here in Australia … and they have done a fantastic job with companies around the globe. A good SEO can bring you to the top of search engine lists.
Stan, keep up the great work with these interviews.
Richard Giuliano
General Manager
4P Marketing
http://www.4p.com.au
August 11th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Thank you for sharing, it was very informative
August 11th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
G’Day Stan and Bart,
Great podcast. Bart, great tips regarding Web 2.0 and the search power of google.
Best Regards.
August 11th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Another great podcast!
Thank you.
- Steven Burda
http://www.linkedin.com/in/burda
http://burda.lyro.com
August 12th, 2008 at 12:15 am
I love the tip about rearranging content via CSS to better suit Google, I know SEO pretty well but that’s a great trick I’ve yet to implement.
If you hear of any potential evangelists for electronic signature, I’m looking for an Australian “champion” to push http://www.iSignature.com into the AUS market – we’re in beta now and unleash some great new features to get any document signed online…just upload a document, drag in “sign here” stickers, tell us the recipient signor, and we’ll do the rest. It’s legally binding in US and EU, not sure about AU but probably (anyone??)
Nice use of podcast to market yourself Stan..the professionalism has opened the door so now I’ll welcome (and check out) future podcasts.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Thanks for for sending us this information.
Michael Castillo
VM Direct
http://www.michaelcastillo.com
August 12th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Nice hearing from Bart.
It also proves that developers who can develop web 2.0/ajax/SEO can’t do good interaction or visual design.
Sorry to be a party pooper – hard site to use and understand.
I wonder how many of those that SEO brings in will return and for how long.
Thats the sad fact about all of Barts efforts.
Timo
August 12th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Thanks for your comment, Timo.
The whole point of allowing Comments to a Blog (both flattering & unflattering) is the very essence of Web 2.0 – so thanks for taking the time to add your point of view.
This will no doubt contribute to a lively debate.
I wonder how long it will take for others to spring to Bart’s defence…
Hopefully, he (and other web site owners) will sit up & and take note.
I appreciate your support.
Regards
Stan Relihan
August 12th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Fair point, Timo.
Nevertheless, it’s still a classic vindication of the triumph of Substance over Style.
Tsk, tsk – Developers & Designers seem to live in different Universes (from each other AND the rest of us!)
Just imagine what kind of results Tjoos.com could get with some good Design …
Simon Entwistle
August 14th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Great podcast. It is good to hear how entrepreneurs are making it online. Keep them coming…
Keith Burgess
Webwings Internet Marketing
http://www.webwings.com.au
August 19th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Stan / Bart
Was wondering whether I could get an insight into the business model of Tjoos.com (because even though coding and hosting is a sunk cost for Bart, there must be other associated costs for branding/publicity/coupon aquiring and so on). Is the revenue source from commissions for using coupons or how does it work.
Bart, it is not a must that you should answer this if the information is confidential.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Hello Stan and Bart Jellema,
A great interview, as always.
Skills to start a new business too often seem to fade in time, and they need fresh people to impersonate them again and again.
Bart is a very good ambassador for all this, and I wish Tjoos.com is on its way to a success story.
Good luck to you both.
Best regards,
Eric