Name of your website?SuppliesBuyer.com
Your name?
Pat Leonard
Your Location (city, etc)
Cedar Springs
When did you start your website and why?
I started in June, 2007. I wanted to create a business that I could do at home and that would help people. A good friend suggested that I use my love of online shopping to help other people shop.
Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc
SuppliesBuyer.com helps online shoppers get great bargains on supplies for their home and office. We provide information, tips, secrets, coupon codes and a forum where people can post their hot deals too. Visitors have the option of using the handy affiliate links to the websites that give them the best deals.
What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?
I have a satellite internet connection but it is still slow. I can only edit my pages in the morning (eastern time) because either my host site or the connection itself is too busy when the rest of the U.S. wakes up.
What has been the easist part of operating your website?
The easiest part is not having to leave my home to get everything done.
What was your biggest mistake?
I knew it would be a learning experience, but wish I had taken some website building classes first.
Who maintains your website and why?
I maintain my website. I am on a low budget.
Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?
My business IS my website.
What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?
The future is wide open! It is exciting to be a part of it!
What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
Since I also work part time as a consultant for an SEO business, www.topofthelist.net, I am all for it. I think search engine optimization helps the search engines, and thus the Internet users, find what they are looking for. But websites must use keywords that are relevant to their sites. SEO also includes getting people to come to your site through directories, blogs, forums and other inbound links.
What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?
My site is so new that Search Engines haven't helped much yet. But I was thrilled when my query for "Hot Deals Forum" come up as number 90 on Google!
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
I believe directories to be the most helpful resource for site promotion--ouch!
What method has been least successful for promoting your website?
Today I joined an affiliate forum and posted a question, also inviting users to my forum. Minutes later, someone posted p*rn, which I immediately deleted. I quickly learned that there is good promotion and not so good promotion. Does that answer your question?
What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?
What I don't want to see change is the freedom that we have. So, even though I don't like the fact that people do mean things to each other, I don't want it regulated. It would be nice if all the mean people would just get their own Internet and leave us alone.
Do you think the Internet has more good users or bad?
I definately think more good people are online. Maybe I am naive, but I see people sending money to charities electronically, instantly. Internet communication can inspire people to help each other. Emails can be uplifting or nasty grams, but I also believe what goes around comes around, and nobody's perfect.
What is your website address?
SuppliesBuyer.com