All About bizpond

This section will hopefully answer any questions you have about bizpond. If you're curious about anything else, please email us on admin@bizpond.co.uk.

What information should I put in a post?

What if I want to edit or delete posts I've created?

What if I see offensive or inappropriate content on the site?

Will my contact details be seen by everyone?

Why is bizpond different to social networking sites?

Can I use bizpond to manage my tenders?

Can I use bizpond to promote events?

Can I use bizpond to find staff or partners?

Do I have to use twitter or other social media to be able to use bizpond?

Who and what is bizpond for?

bizpond has been created to help small businesses, freelancers and consultants. It provides a quick and easy way to find things you need right now for your business, and to help you promote what you do. As long as it's about business you can promote it or find it here. When bizpond first started we tested it out in North East England but now it's open for everyone to get involved.

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How exactly do I use bizpond?

bizpond allows you to create or browse 2 types of posts: WANTED and OFFERED. You must register with the site and be logged in to do this. You don't have to register to browse posts, but you do if you want to see who created them in order to respond. Posts can be about anything related to business: skills, services, ideas, experience, products or partners - if you want it or you can offer it, post it here!

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What information should I put in a post?

Try to keep your posts brief but clear. Explain what it is you're looking for (WANTED) or what it is you can offer (OFFERED), ideally in about 3 - 4 lines of text. You can write more if you want to, and the site will automatically select the first few lines for display. Users can just click on your title to see more information. You'll also be asked to give your posts a clear title. This can be up to 100 characters long and you should try to make this really descriptive with important key words that will help people know what your post is about.

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What if I want to edit or delete posts I've created?

If you want to make changes or delet any of your live posts, simple login, go to you profile and select the 'My Posts' tab. Click on the title of whichever post you want to change, and the big green and red buttons should guide you from there.

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How does bizpond work?

bizpond enables registered users to create posts about things they WANT or things they can OFFER. These posts are presented on the website for all visitors to browse and (if logged in) respond to. The titles of these posts, together with a link, are also shared through bizpond's social network accounts, and users of the website can also share with their own social networks, as well as emailing to friends. Users can respond to posts by logging in and clicking to see contact details. The idea is that by spreading the WANTS and OFFERS of users, business needs can be quickly and effectively met, and new connections created.

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What if I see offensive or inappropriate content on the site?

bizpond trusts its users so your posts are not checked before going live. Instead we rely on you to report any inappropriate content. Please click on the ! symbol to report anything you feel should not be on the site, stating a simple reason, and the administrator will investigate your report.

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Will my contact details be seen by everyone?

You will need to allow logged in users to see some of your contact details so that they can contact you if they are interested in your post. Within your profile you can add various contact details and can select those you would like to display against your posts. These can only be seen by logged in users of the site.

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What about SPAM?

As above, we will try to protect your personal information as much as possible. Only logged in users can see your contact information, and even then they must click on a 'click for details' link to reveal this, minimizing the chances of any robots crawling and finding such details as your email address.

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Why is bizpond different to social networking sites?

bizpond is just for business, so we hope it's a lot easier for you to find useful information and make useful connections, unlike a lot of social networking sites where people tell you how many sugars they're having in their tea! It's also absolutely fine to use bizpond to promote what you do - it's not frowned upon here: if you have a useful product or service to promote, or even better a special offer for bizpond users, please do!

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Who's behind bizpond?

bizpond is a Stick Theory project, conceived and directed by founder Di Gates. It has been developed through support from WIN, Durham University Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning and PNE Group. The site was designed and built by Twisted Studio with technical guidance from The Approachable Geek.

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Can I use bizpond to manage my tenders?

You can, but we advise you to write a short summary of your full tender, and encourage people to contact you for further information and to receive full details.

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Can I use bizpond to promote events?

You can, if they are specifically for businesses, freelancers or consultants - no general social events please. Also please set the end date for your post to be the day of your event so it will be removed at midnight.

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Can I use bizpond to find staff or partners?

You can, but we advise you to write a short summary of your requirements, and encourage people to contact you for further information and to receive full specifications.

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Do I have to use twitter or other social media to be able to use bizpond?

No, but if you do have social network accounts, you can help to spread posts on bizpond.

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How will you use my data?

bizpond operates with full respect for your privacy, and all content you create and post on the site will still be owned entirely by you - please see our Terms of Service.