Name of your website?Chaoticly Creative
Your name?
The ZKitten
Your Location (city, etc)
Eastern Tn
When did you start your website and why?
I've had many many incarnations of my site, (ZKitten, ZKittenCreations, ZStuff) and after many host changes, and name changes, I settled on how I craft, Chaoticly Creative. I like having my own slice of space to to show off what I make, as well as offer DIY kits I've put together for those who may either be crafty-challenged, or just don't want to invest ALOT of money for small projects!
Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc
ZKitten *the.curiously.chaoticly. creative.crafting.machine*'s Chaoticly Creative (.com) *alternative.accessories* *unique.jewelry* *custom.creations* *DIY.kits* *crafting.supplies.* *hard.to.find.findings* *basic.tutorials*
What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?
Figuring out what to say, wording things to make more sense than chaos. Finding a good shopping cart, I love my Zen Cart! Finding the right blog (I went through 3 different kinds) I've settled on Word Press, I love them too!
Also, deciding on a design. I've gone from very basic, to complicated, and back again! I've finally decided on a template I found online at -http://arcsin.se- and I love it! It will do very nicely, at least until I hone my skillz, so I can make the site I really want (I've got sketches!)
What has been the easist part of operating your website?
After figuring out what to say, and what it was going to look like, the rest of it was a piece of cake!
What was your biggest mistake?
I'm not sure, I don't see mistakes, I see the path to getting it right.
Who maintains your website and why?
I do myself. I've been working with computers almost all my life, and I love them! I also don't want to have to spend the extra money to pay someone to do something that I love learning! I knew HTML and JAVA, but I've also learned CSS and PHP by teaching myself through various website tutorials. I like knowing that everything on there is something I've worked on. It's a sense of accomplishment.
Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?
I do about 90% of my business online, and I've generated even more through my site, by being able to make my Handmade Creations, and supplies available through my site! It's also been easier to take custom orders, as customers can see all the options to choose from!
What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?
I think that open source is going to be the future of ecommerce and the internet itself! Being able to run a store on your own site, without having to pay so much more extra money will also help the DIY & crafting communities! I also think that ecommerce is the future! Some point (not too far, but not too soon) the internet will be the major way most people will do all their shopping (I know I do almost all mine online!)
What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?
I'm not sure yet, I still haven't submited my site to any as of now (I plan on it very soon) But I have had some buisness from people finding my site through places like Google.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Word of Mouth and eBay. I stick a few business cards in with every package I mail out (even to friends and family). I also give business cards to friends, and let them offer their friends (or people they meet) a discount on their first order! (which my friends get gift certificates for). In fact anyone who registers on my site can get free stuff, by referring people to buy things from my store (I give them a special code to give out to whom ever they want!)
What method has been least successful for promoting your website?
Most of the way's I've tried so far have been working, even if it is only a couple people coming in from one method, I consider it a success!
What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?
Less virtual vandals, and more OS software!
What is your website address?
Chaoticly Creative
