First things first, who are you and how do you help small businesses?
I’m Andy Gilbert and I’ve been creating websites for over 25 years. I started off with building a site for a local charity, eventually moving on to building a website for the printing company I worked for. I was then given the opportunity to set up the Internet Department which I built up to a team of eight. During this time I completed a degree with the Open University in IT & Computing which still helps me today.
In 2010 I left there and set up routeToWeb. Having been a startup and working with startups on the route to having a website I can advise and guide website newbies through the complicated and often baffling journey to having an effective website.
What made you become a member of Start-Talk-Grow?
I was part of the initial team and wanted to give back to the business community some of the knowledge that I’ve built up through my business journey.
What inspired you to start your business?
Sitting on a dive boat in Stromness harbour, seeing people going about their business doing different things. Whereas my office window looked out at a brick wall.
What makes you different from others in your field?
Many people claim to be WordPress developers, but think that just means adding and configuring, themes and existing plugins. I can code and if there’s no off-the-shelf solutions will build a bespoke solution to provide exactly what the website needs.
What are the greatest achievements you’ve had in your business?
Surviving for 11 ½ years.
What did you wish you knew when you started that you have learned along the way?
People promise a lot of things, not all of them are deliverable.
The quick-fire round
Which is your favourite social media platform
LinkedIn for business use, Facebook for leisure.
What is the best bit of work kit you have?
My desktop PC.
What was the best piece of advice you were given when you first started? And by whom?
The one I remember, but probably isn’t the ‘best’ was “Think of your giving before you living” Brian Soames.
Imagine you’ve been given an unexpected day off – how will you spend it?
A ride out on the Kawasaki or day scuba diving.
Which is your while-you-work drink of choice?
Tea.
Which is your favourite business book?
They Ask You Answer by Marcus Sheridan. Every website owner should read it before starting a website, but if you already have one still read it, then make some changes to the website from what’s been learnt from the book.
What is your secret to success?
Keeping a secret.
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