lannigan.org
Bob's Guide
Patrick Lannigan - Spring 2005
When I first started working in the banking software market I became aware of a cute little site called "Bob's Guide", which, to me, looked like a place where banking software vendors could list their solutions with the hope that prospects looking for banking software would actually search that site for a solution.
Recently (May 2005), I tried searching Bob's Guide so I could experience what it would be like for a potential prospect to do so. Personally, I was a bit taken aback by the fact that I had to "log in" before I, as potential software customer, could even search for a solution. I talked to somebody at Bob's Guide about this, but they didn't see a problem with this. Oh well.
Personally, if I was looking for banking software I would use Google to get what I want. Be as specific, of course, as you can with your query and you should get what you want. Queries like "banking software toronto" or "banking software sweden" or "banking software loans" "banking software terms" etc. should get you want you want. Of course, add more words as you see fit as even those queries are "too wide". Be as specific as you can.
IF Bob's Guide were to make their site so users didn't have to log in before they did a search, I would have no hesitation recommending that the company I work for list itself in Bob's Guide and I would recommend that they pay for the full listing. As it stands, however, with prospective customers having to log in before they do a search, I can't recommend using Bob's Guide. Use Google to get what you want.
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©Patrick Lannigan
patrick at lannigan dot org
