Name of your website?
Triple E Crafter Fabric & Gift Store
Your name?
Liz Erickson
Your Location (city, etc)
Branchville, NJ / Sussex County
Please give us a short summary of your website?
We offer name brand cotton fabric for quilting, sewing and crafting. Hand crocheted cotton fabric rag rugs which add a special warmth to any room within your home. Hand knit and/or crocheted hats and scarves. Unique gifts for your home decor: teapots, cookie jars, beverage pitchers for holidays and special occasions. New products added often. Be sure to bookmark this website for all your shopping needs.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
My website was inspired with the thought that shoppers would love to go to a site that offers many different products within the same site. Right now I offer fabric for quilting, sewing and crafting, hand made hats, scarves and rag rugs. What will shoppers find in my store in the future? Gift baskets for the newborn baby, unique gifts for every occasion, including holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, favors for your next wedding, baby shower, etc., gifts for the gardener, gifts for the hard to find recipient (you know who I'm talking about). I have so many ideas...they are endless. Please visit my site and be sure to add yourself to the "Keep Me Updated" list and a message will be sent to you when new items are added.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
My first website was launched in 2005. I love crafting, knitting, crocheting and sewing. I was making items for babies and children. This website was part of a craft mall. A few years later I decided to have my own independent website. I have been diligently working on this website and love to offer gifts to all with great pricing along with reasonable shipping and handling.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
The "Triple E" started 27 years ago. When my husband (Bud) and I were getting married, we wanted a special wedding invitation. We decided to add three entwined "E"s on the front of our invitation for Eugene and Elizabeth Erickson. The "Triple E" has been a large part of our lives. Where we now live is called: "Triple E Acres".
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
I believe that fact that shoppers buying from one category of items will see that they can also purchase other items for family, friends and home decor.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
I have always been someone who has loved having my own business. My parents owned 2 beauty salons as I grew up. I later became a hair cutter and owned my own shop until I became to allergic to hair product that I had to find a new business to enter. I love knitting, crocheting and crafting. There are absolutely NO store within 30 miles to buy fabric. So, I did research and started buying wholesale. That is where selling the fabric on line came from.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
I think success comes with time. It is essential to have money to add product to your site and unless you have unlimited funds, you should hold a separate job to finance your new website. Once your website takes off the other job can be eliminated.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
Unlimited? :) Good question. Expand my website with so much more product. Keep submitting my website to free listings.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Definitely.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Learning that you really don't have to pay money for advertising. There are so many ways to advertise your business for free. Don't think because you pay for advertising customers are going to flock to your website and purchase your items. It has never happened to me. I truly believe that word of mouth is how you will get customers to your site.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Biggest challenge would be finding a happy medium for making a profit yet being able to provide my customers with great product,pricing and great service.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Hard work! Adding my website to every free submit that I can find.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
I didn't think I would be doing this much computer work. But, it is a huge part of having the website. I rather look forward to seeing what advertising means are available on the web. There are virtually endless places to submit a website.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
Oh. I believe it will work its way up the traffic, income and popularity ladders. I love what I do. I just think everything takes time. One must have patience. I truly love communicating with others and giving them customers service that they can count on. I encourage customers to email me. Give them the feeling that if they need help or have a question that I am here for them.
Replace this with a question of your own
Welcome to Triple E Crafter...How may I help you?
What is your website address?
Triple E Crafter Fabric & Gift Store
