Hello and welcome. It is finally here, NorwichReview.co.uk has launched! This is not an official launch yet, as we're still in the third (and hopefully) final stage of development. So apologies in advance if the website throws up some errors - I appreciate your patience and thanks if you have registered and are using the site. You are a huge help to our testing.

So what is NorwichReview.co.uk all about? NorwichReview's aim is to give consumers in the local area information about good local businesses in the Norwich and Norfolk area. The site is a combination of the best parts of a review site and a directory site.

The site was conceived to be as interactive and viral as possible. The more people who rate, review and use the directory the better the site becomes; like a snowball.

Why was the website set up? For two main reasons. Despite living in and around Norwich all my life (except for about three years when I was in London), I still don’t know a decent reputable plumber, and – although I have a few good ideas – I don’t know which country pub does the best Sunday roast.

Also, after speaking to several small business owners about what they considered the best form of marketing, nine times out of 10 the reply was “word of mouth”. As traditional channels of advertising such as an ad in the local paper are expensive and are becoming obsolete (check out their diminishing circulation figures), the internet is now becoming the main source to find out information about local businesses and suppliers.

NorwichReview was set up with the dual purpose of helping local consumers and businesses. Its ethos is to combine the power of the internet with the power of word-of-mouth.

Because the website will be continually developed, I am encouraging you to leave me feedback so the site can develop along the line you want. Please email with any ideas and news at ed@norwichreview.co.uk.

Thanks and enjoy,

Paul