Marcus Knapman, BSc (Hons) Computing
Founder & Lead Reviewer — Smart Trends
Williton, Somerset, TA4 4QS | info@smart-trends.uk
Hi, I'm Marcus. I've spent over 40 years working with computers and digital technology, and I hold a BSc Honours degree in Computing. I run Exmoorweb Website Design, a web development business serving clients across Somerset, and I built Smart Trends to solve a problem I kept running into myself.
Why I built Smart Trends
The problem with Amazon isn't a lack of reviews — it's that there are too many. You find a product with 4.5 stars and 6,000 reviews, and you still can't tell if it's any good. Half are one-liners ("brilliant, would recommend"), a quarter are complaints about delivery that have nothing to do with the product, and the rest contradict each other.
So you end up spending 45 minutes scrolling through stranger's opinions and you're still not sure. I built Smart Trends to cut through that noise.
How I research and write reviews
For every product I review, I read through hundreds of Amazon customer reviews — the detailed ones, the critical ones, the ones that mention specific use cases. I study the product specifications, compare it against alternatives in the same price range, and look at what real buyers say actually went wrong (and right) after weeks of use.
From all of that research, I write a structured, honest review: what the product does well, where it falls short, who it's for, and whether it's worth the money. Some of the products I've actually purchased myself — the affiliate commission makes that cost-neutral — which gives me first-hand experience to draw on alongside the research.
Every review on Smart Trends has had over 100 customer reviews read and considered before a single word is written. That's not a figure I'm proud of — it's just the minimum standard I hold myself to.
Want to understand the full process? Read my How I Review Products page.
Why trust my recommendations?
Because I don't have a reason to mislead you. I'm not a manufacturer trying to shift stock. I'm not a PR agency spinning a brand narrative. I'm a computing professional who enjoys researching products and sharing what I find — and the only way this site has any value is if you can trust what I write.
When something is genuinely brilliant, I'll tell you. When it's overpriced, underwhelming, or just a bit rubbish for the money, I'll tell you that too. Every review includes real pros and cons — because nothing is perfect, and anyone who only tells you the good stuff is trying to sell you something.
The affiliate side — let's be upfront
Smart Trends uses Amazon affiliate links. When you click through to Amazon and buy something, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That's how the site pays for itself.
Importantly, I earn the same commission regardless of which product you buy — so there's no financial incentive to push one product over another. Whether it's the £15 option or the £150 one, the difference to me is negligible. What matters is that you trust my recommendations and come back next time.
Written for UK buyers
Every review is written in pounds, references UK pricing and availability, and is based on the UK Amazon marketplace. I understand that "good value" means something different here than it does in the US, and I write accordingly.
About Exmoorweb
Alongside Smart Trends, I run Exmoorweb Website Design — a web design and development business based in Somerset. I've been building websites for over four decades, and Smart Trends is built on the same principles I apply to every project: clean, fast, and built to do its job properly.
Get in touch
If you've got a question, a product suggestion, or you just want to say hello — I'd love to hear from you. Head to the contact page and drop me a message. I read and reply to everything.
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