For businesses
Consumers decide in the digital world
To understand why online reputation marketing is essential for every business, it’s important to grasp just how much consumer behaviour has changed with the evolution and availability of computer and smart phone technology. Understanding consumers' habits and choices...
Ratings
Ratings Ratings are the driving force of your NoCowboys profile and it is important to build up your feedback with thoughtful and regular review strategies. Always remember that any legitimate customer that you did work for over the past two years, no matter where...
Your greatest asset is your biggest opportunity
In today’s business environment marketing your reputation online is essential. Do you know what you look like online? Have you Googled your business name and seen what comes up and where? Do you know what other people are saying about you? Do you want to control how...
How to get the most out of your NoCowboys business profile
Once you’re registered with NoCowboys, the first thing to do is to fill out your profile – this is your marketing tool and it is important to optimise the various features to present your business to your prospective customers. ...
From problem centre to value centre
An article by Jon Hall published by Forbes last year says that business owners need to move from managing their reputations online to actively marketing them. While the article has a distinct US flavour, the points he makes are just as valid in New Zealand. The...
Key questions for every business owner
NoCowboys has been in business long enough to know what works and what doesn't when it comes to marketing. We pioneered online reviews from the days when online feedback was in its infancy. Since then we have helped tens of thousands of New Zealand businesses grow and...
You don’t need to bang your head against a wall
Apparently it was Einstein who coined this phrase - although that's up for debate - either way it's prescient when I think about business owners spending their marketing budgets and getting little in return. “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and...
Don’t let misconceptions stop you from building your business with NoCowboys
Of all the questions we are asked by business owners new to NoCowboys, the most persistent concern reviews and competing with registered businesses who have been with us for years. Both queries are linked and the answer to both explains that while our platform is a...
Marketing is all about attracting new customers – so choose wisely
Whenever I explain what marketing is, I simplify it to its most basic element: marketing is the bridge that closes the gap between a business and the customers they want to attract. Today, there are numerous options and marketing businesses that promise remarkable...
Be very careful when promised the earth by certain website and hosting outfits
We started NC Web a few years ago because we kept hearing similar tales from registered NoCowboys business owners about dissatisfactory and unsavoury experiences some of them had with website developers, SEO companies, and hosting platforms. We decided that we could...
Think like a customer and reap the benefits
I've been in this game long enough to have learned quite a few things from customers and business owners alike about what makes a business successful, or not. Apart from the obvious factors, such as having the correct business apparatus - equipment, staff, tax...
Reviews are the essential piece of the puzzle
Over the past month I've been planing an overseas trip and whilst all of it has been done online, I have found myself occasionally drifting into the occasional desire to actually speak to a human being, like one would have done in the not too distant past. What I...
What are NoCowboys points of difference?
We didn't invent online reviews but we did pioneer their use and acceptance here in New Zealand and our platform is not only respected but trusted. We keep improving our services to keep in step with online developments so that Kiwis can choose the best tradespeople...
Bystander Saves Boy and Strangers On A Plane
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Hero bystander Being a part of a society sometimes requires us to do difficult things and oftentimes the danger of...
OCR Cut, Clever Cat Burglar, and World Record Cyclist
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. OCR cut cause for optimism On Wednesday the Reserve Bank cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 50 basis points to 2.5%,...
Father and Son Moment and Fantastic Singer of National Anthem
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Father surprises son at All Blacks test Before last week's test kicked off between the All Blacks and Australia at...
Incredibly Generous Builder and Stupendous Toy Collection
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Builder saves couple's dream After losing nearly $100,000 in deposits to a building company that entered into...
Time Capsule Unearthed and KiwI Runner Wins Gold
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Huge win for Kiwi runner New Zealand runner George Beamish achieved an incredible win this week at the World...
Bees Rob Honey Store and Lightsaber Sells For Millions
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Bees rob beekeeper's shop This story is yet another astonishing example of the ingenuity of the other creatures on our...
Rescuing food waste to feed hungry Kiwis
NoCowboys has recently signed up to sponsor a fantastic Kiwi charity that rescues and distributes food waste to help feed needy families. For September and October NoCowboys will donate $1 for every job posted on our site and 10 cents for every review. We are very...
Talkative Tūī, Sunken City, and Card Sold For Record Price
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Talkative tūī a big hit Pleakly - a young tūī with a gift for mimicking human speech has become a big hit online, as...
Hotel To Be Redeveloped, Generous Stranger, and Thoughtful Postie
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Christchurch icon gets new lease of life Growing up in Christchurch, Noahs Hotel on Oxford Terrace was a familiar...
Passport Eating Dog, Hodgkins’ Painting Discovered, and Inspirational Teacher Passes
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Teacher who inspired and created leaders I recently stumbled across a story about a Wellington teacher and athletic...
Massive Lighting, Huge Aussie Insect, and Message Found A Century Later
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Mother nature is truly amazing This story is rather mind boggling and proves yet again just how awesome - in the...
Board Game Awarded, Kiwi Loves Milk Tankers, And Fantastic Road Worker
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. A man who loved milk tankers This a lovely tale about a Kiwi with a rare illness and how one of our biggest companies...
Curious Whale, Norsewear Pushes Kiwi Made, and World’s Best Country
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Whale of a time in Sydney Harbour Water traffic in Sydney Harbour faced a novel issue last week - a curious humpback...
Hero Coast Guard Swimmer, Lasers Sort Seagulls, and Tapestry Home On Loan
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Hero swimmer saves lives during floods The recent floods in Texas, United States claimed over 100 lives and a Coast...
Small Pubs, Kiwi Ad Lauded, and NZ Gins Take Prizes
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Tiny pubs a big hit A Christchurch business created during Covid lockdowns has grown to become a national enterprise...
Bird Survey Begins, Kiwi Record Breaker, and Beer Saves Pub
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Beer douses pub fire This story sounds as if it comes from the lyrics of a country and Western song. When a minor fire...
Moth Navigation, Bear Rescued, and Endeavour Found
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Migratory moths navigate by the stars From the amazing world of insects comes the story of the incredible Australian...
Kiwi Rugby Final, Ancient Tomb Found, and NZ Team On Big Stage
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. All Kiwi Super Rugby final A weekend of semi-finals in the Super Rugby Pacific competition saw the Canterbury...
Ship Fails To Wake Sleeper, Kiwi Speedster, and Otago Eatery Awarded
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. NZ restaurant makes influential list For the first time ever a Kiwi eatery, Otago's Amisfield restaurant, has been...
Lorde Surprises Fans, Moose Mystery, And Northlander Helps Troubled Youth
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Lorde crashes Lorde party New Zealand musician Lorde was a very welcome and surprise guest at a party in Sydney...
NZDF Turns To Local Sock Maker, Cemetery Bust Found, and Kiwi Photographers Rewarded
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Long lost cemetery bust turns up in police raid 37 years after it disappeared, the bust that once adorned Jim...
Scrapping Native Creatures, Copy Proves To Be Valuable Original, and Clothes Line Mystery Solved
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Cheap copy turns out to be valuable original This story mirrors those best moments in 'Antiques Roadshow' where...
Local Hero, 70,000 Lollipop Carnival, and Heart Transplant Marathons
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Local hero is a serial helper Most communities in New Zealand have local heroes who help out whenever they can,...
Tradies Charity Build, Champion Cheese, And Teenage Cricketer Hits Century
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Build for charity in Christchurch What began as one building company owner's idea to pay something back after getting...
Auckland FC Win Title, Kiwi Conservation Effort, And Lost Dachshund Found
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Auckland FC make history Few teams win the league in their debut season in any sporting competition but Kiwi football...
Centurion Eases Up, Kiwis Love Feijoas, Moose Migration
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Centurion dials back competitive streak After reaching 100 years of age, croquet master Neville Sandiford decided it...
Hāngī Business Takes Off, Truckie Hero, and Tourist Hails Kiwi Kindness
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Hāngī business fills gap in the market Hutt Valley local CJ Collier took a lack of local hāngī food and created a...
Inspirational Black Fern, App For Best Pies, and Amazing Channel Swim
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Black Fern a true inspiration Rugby World Cup winner, Ruby Tui is more than just a force to be reckoned with on a...
All Whites Off To World Cup, Speedy Octopus, And Forgetful Pilot
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. All Whites going to the World Cup For the third time in their history, the All Whites will be competing at the World...
Speedy Kiwi Teenager, Fog Busters, and Lost Christchurch In Miniature
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Teenager beats world record It's 71 years since Roger Bannister ran the first sub four minute mile and since then...
Impressive Native Insect, Last Metal Road Sealed, and Garden City Airport a Cracker
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Bug of the year is an ancient handful From the 'I never knew we had a bug of the year competition' files comes the...
Busy Beavers, Hercules Last Flight, and Dump May Hold Treasure
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Beavers get the job done This is a rather uplifting tale that yet again illustrates the pluck and ingenuity of our...
Pub Pays Out For Goal Fest, Banana Mystery, and Kiwi Cricketer Makes History
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Pub pays for footballs club's success Nottingham Forest are defying expectations this year in the English Premier...
Over-travelled Cat, Ohakune Booming, and Injured Snowboarder Makes History
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Small town benefits from highway closure I've always been a little perplexed by the need to create bypasses on our...
Lucky Kitten, Unhappy Sunfish Revitalised, and Pompeii Reveals Hidden Gem
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Abandoned kitten survives gruelling ordeal This is a good news story with a whole lot of bad news at the beginning of...