'Magnolia Trading Company, LLC Interview'

Name of your website?

Magnolia Trading Company, LLC

Your name?

Qi Liu

Your Location (city, etc)

Torrington

When did you start your website and why?

Magnolia Trading Company, LLC was created last year, 2006. I wanted to introduce the most unique products in China to the rest of the world. We started with Chinese hacky sacks, Peking Opera masks, and Hunanese embroidered items. The Chinese hacky sacks are now selling well.

Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc

Magnolia Trading Company, LLC was created with the intent of introducing the most rare and beautiful products of China to the rest of the world. Our hand-embroidered items come all the way from Hunan Province, whose history of embroidery could be traced back to West Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- 220 A.D); our Peking Opera Masks are hand painted in Sichuan Province by an innovative company which prides itself in making an ancient art form available to people of the modern age; our Chinese hacky sack is a two-thousand-year-old sport, which could bring much fun and health to our customers. We know that in an age where generic products flood the market, our unique Chinese products may struggle to rise above the din. However, as the saying in Mulan goes, “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all,” we know our products will win our customers’ hearts and minds since beauties of true substance will not go unrecognized.

What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?

It was difficult to get started. But now it's easy and fun.

What has been the easist part of operating your website?

Answering customers' inquiries.

What was your biggest mistake?

Selecting the right shipping company. I used UPS at first, but their rates are outrageous.

Who maintains your website and why?

Yahoo. They are professional.

Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?

I have more and more customers buying products from my website.

What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?

I am very optimistic about ecommerce and the future of the internet. I run my business from home, there is no overhead cost. It's easy and convient to do business online.

What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

It costs money to gain exposure for your website, to advertise with all those companies promising SEO.

What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?

Search Engines are nice. People find my website through them.

What method has been most successful for promoting your website?

Find the products which are in demand.

What method has been least successful for promoting your website?

Advertised with Google and did "Pay per click" for a while. It was costly and ridiculous.

What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?

More free promotion of small businesses.

You can enter a question of your choice and the answer here:

We have lots of unique products featured on our website. How do I gain more exposure for my web? I tried many means, advertised with many companies, but it seems the only way is to find the products which are in demand.

What is your website address?

Magnolia Trading Company, LLC

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