Name of your website?www.SmudgeGuard.com
Your name?
Jeannie Lit
Your Location (city, etc)
Monmouth Junction
When did you start your website and why?
I launched my website in November 2006. I invented a new product for my son initially, but found out through research, that many suffer the same problem with smudges as well. So I wanted to share my idea with the rest of the world. I want to give them a new option for preventing annoying smudges.
Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc
I want to be able to serve the niche markets of lefties, artists and tablet pc users. I want them to know that there's a solution to the smudging problem and also, my site is informative. I have setup links to other helpful left-handed sites so that parents of left-handed children can read up on handwriting tips.
What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?
Since I am a stay-at-home mom/entrpreneur, I don't have a budget for advertising. So, my most difficult part of running my website is trying to gain traffic to my site. My product is unknown to the world and I need to create awareness about my product.
What has been the easist part of operating your website?
The easiest part of operating my website is updating the information of my website. I didn't know much about html codes at first, but now, I'm getting the hang of looking at it.
What was your biggest mistake?
I haven't come across the biggest mistake with my website yet. Knock on wood!
Who maintains your website and why?
I maintain my own website because I cannot afford to pay someone else to do it at the moment. Besides, my site is very simple and not at all complicated so I can handle it myself.
Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?
Well, since my invention is not being accepted by retail stores yet, (they don't like to deal with one product businesses - too much red tape), the only way I can sell my product is through my website. But I like it this way because I love dealing with the end consumers. They give me great feedback about my product. So, it's great that I can still stay at home and run a home based business - thanks to the internet!
What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?
I believe it will continue to grow.
What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
I don't know much about that, so I can't comment.
What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?
Search engines are great. But the only one that have generated the most traffic for me is google. So, it has helped my website when people googles smudges.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
The most successful method, has been submitting my site to other websites that accept tips and suggestions. Plus, my invention is pretty unique and interesting enough so they're usually open to promote my invention.
What method has been least successful for promoting your website?
Initially, I thought parent sites would be more open to my product because I thought that they would want to buy helpful tools for their left-handed children. But instead, I have been getting artistic people, professionals, and adults buying it for themselves instead. So, it's all good.
What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?
I don't like to log in on other sites and I don't like to enter all my information in order to join a site. There's too many passwords and usernames to remember. That's a hindrance. So, I don't bother entering or joining those sites. I make my website easy to get in touch with me on my site. There's no login name or password. Visitors can just come in and take a look around for free!
What is your dream?
My dream is to continue helping those with the smudging problem. My dream became a reality when my idea (that was intangible) became tangible after the first sale. That's a great feeling!
What is your website address?
www.SmudgeGuard.com
