Information Sites & Blog Review

To save you trawling through the search engines trying to find what you want, I have started to compile information on sites which may be helpful to ex-pats and future expats

They are in no particular order but I have summarised what they provide and also a rough guide to how much they are geared up for advertising.

Costa Blanca World

This seems to be a relatively new site, in that many of the sections don’t have an awful lot in them. Useful telephone numbers for town halls and public services are provided for each major town, some information on clubs and groups, wild life, public transport, healthcare which is a bit out of date and a list of schools. Many sections relying on advertising or potential advertising for content. Nothing in the businesses directory and the forum is yet to be launched. A few jobs are advertised, usual sales and chefs at the time of writing. Obviously geared up for future advertising but not enough info input in my humble opinion.

Costa Blanca Live

A well established site with what I thought was lots of information. Non existent links on healthcare, professional and other sections in their “reference library.” Doesn’t seem to be updated information wise, but then there’s a lot to update. Things to do and see, is a bit general, links don’t work unless they go to an advert. Mmm, thought this one was different…….Gig guide still on last year for the south and on Dec 17th for the north!

Useful phone numbers given for local towns but for UK, diverts you to a commercial site, fair one I suppose. An RAC route planner is provided and a Spanish Correos site (Postman Pat). Lots of links to people selling things (if the link works). Lots of lists, shops and restaurants which are a bit……….Yawn

This site does a lot of referring to various bodies including the British Embassy so you might as well have a look there, although advice is limited and typically governmental in that you have to search hard. For car importation, licensing etc., it refers you on. Maybe not worth the trouble?

To sum up, I am a bit disappointed with this one after getting a bit excited about it being full of facts. It is more commercially orientated than I initially thought.

Live Spain for Life was linked to CB uncovered and is run by a “family” in the South of the region in Albatera, which is where I go to fly my model planes (yawn, get on with it). The legal information given is somewhat out of date in parts, particularly the healthcare and incorrect in some areas. It is a commercial site offering their services as property finders, as is my commercial site, www.homesearchcostablanca.com

The difference is that the site sells itself as an information site. Every commercial operation likes to offer free information and that is a good thing, but in my opinion should be incidental to the business. I could be accused of doing both in this blog and on my commercial site and the aim is still to get traffic to my business, but you don’t have to go there if you don’t want to. I wish them luck in what they are doing, particularly as they specialise in a different area!! (joke)

Costa Blanca Uncovered

A commercial site geared to advertising, but has lots of information on its 345 pages. Weather in all the regions, where to hire cars, where to rent villas. All the usual stuff. Information pages mixed with adverts and links to businesses etc., Some stories by ex-pats, who all seem to have something to sell. Blah blah. I am getting tired now so can’t be bothered to look at any more articles at present. More reviews in the near future. zzzzzzzzz

Mike Pick

Tags: , entertainment news, information websites