Name of your website?Traveloria: Cartoon Animal & People Designs
Your name?
Lindsay
Your Location (city, etc)
Westwood
When did you start your website and why?
I started my website pretty recently as a means of showcasing the designs that I've been drawing since I was a child. It's been pretty exciting to see the designs on clothing and other gifts!
Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc
The website sells cartoon designs on tee shirts, mugs, sweatshirts and more. My unique animal and people cartoons from various professions and activities can be found on clothing and custom gift items. Cartoons include mice, dogs, flowers, frogs, birds, bunnies, teachers, moms, fencers, college students, and more!
What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?
The most challenging thing is being willing to make it a fluid thing - it's hard to let it go and make it live without constantly wanting it to be "perfect." I'm looking forward to seeing it change and adapt as I learn more about operating it!
What has been the easist part of operating your website?
The easiest thing has been creating the designs. I had gotten away from drawing for a while, so when I had the idea to create this website, it was exciting to get back to drawing and see my designs come to life with some color and new ideas.
What was your biggest mistake?
The biggest mistake was not taking more preparation initially to focus on SEO - I've since learned it's extremely important to a website's success, so I made sure to go back and work on making it as accessible as it can be.
Who maintains your website and why?
It's maintained right now by Cafe Press, who also manage the printing and distribution of the apparel and gifts. I wanted to outsource the printing and distribution and Cafe Press gives you a lot of flexibility in the website and provides a great service with a high quality product.
Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?
I'm still in the early stages, but the website is the business right now. It's a great way to get my name and designs out there, which I think will be the greatest benefit.
What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?
Although I think there is something to be said for the in-person shopping experience, in the future, I think ecommerce will far exceed traditional methods of shopping. It is so easy and efficient, and with many sites offering free shipping, is as convenient, if not more than other methods. I think the internet will continue to grow and we will see adaptations that we can't even imagine right now - even the advent of the blog and podcasting in the past few years were unimaginable even ten years ago. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes.
What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
From what I've read, it's essential to draw traffic to your site, as long as it's done effectively. I think now that more and more people have an understanding of what SEO is, its effectiveness drops a little, but I think it's still a useful tool.
What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?
Again, since my site is relatively new, I don't have too much experience with them in relation to my website. I think that they can help my website in the long run, but we'll have to see!
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
So far, word of mouth. I've sent it to friends who have really been positive about my designs and interested in purchasing them as gifts and for themselves. The more pleased they are with the site, the more likely they will be to recommend it to friends and family. I'm also working to put together press releases and newsletters, and also identify other means of promoting the site.
What method has been least successful for promoting your website?
I haven't been tracking my marketing methods long enough to identify any real pitfalls.
What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?
As a whole? What I would love to see as a part of search engines would be a direct answer to a question - normally, they simply take your terms and identify where they are used in a web page. I would like them to answer questions for me, which would be a little less frustrating than attempting to identify the best search terms to use!
What do you enjoy the most about your website/business?
I would have to say that it's seeing my designs come to life on various gift items. Who would have thought that my little doodles from high school would eventually wind up on a tee shirt? I also really enjoy having full control over the direction of my brand - it's about me, so it's both easier and more difficult to identify the true meaning of the brand and the direction we are heading. It's all an exciting process!
What is your website address?
Traveloria: Cartoon Animal & People Designs
