Name of your website?Digiscrap Boutique
Your name?
Veronica Spriggs
Your Location (city, etc)
Wilmington
When did you start your website and why?
Michelle Yiap and I started began planning to open a digital scrapbooking site of our own after a previous site I was selling at considered closing it's doors. Not knowing where to turn I thought it would be best to venture out on my own rather than look for a new home to sell my scrapkits.
Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc
Digiscrap Boutique is a Full Service Digital Scrapbooking Site. This means that we offer a fully stocked Boutique, featuring high quality designs from over 15 Designers. We also offer a gallery, chatroom and forum so that you always have resources for scrapbooking ideas. Help getting started or just a place to relax and enjoy your hobby.
What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?
Finding a good a home! A site as large as ours has to be hosted on a server that can handle the workload. We have just recently moved to a dedicated server and everything seems to be running smoothly. It's certainly a learning experience but everyday brings us closer to where we want to be!
What has been the easist part of operating your website?
lol hmmm. I have to think about that one! I'm going to have to say just logging in and browsing and gallery. Technically not required to run the site but boy it sure makes it all worthwhile. I could gaze at all the beauty in the gallery for hours.
What was your biggest mistake?
Choosing my very first server without enough experience to know the questions to ask. I would suggest to anyone starting a website do some thoruough research (if you can find it). Ask people in your field to recommend a good host. Don't let price be your determining factor. Find out if they can handle all the functions you will need.
Who maintains your website and why?
Myself and my partner. Primarily because we are both so picky. We like things done a particular way and in a timely fashion. Sometimes you can't always have both when you rely on others.
Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?
I will have to say now that i have my own website I am in more control of my product. When I can have sales, how quickly my new product is submitted and how it is promoted. Having my own website does actually help to increase my productivity as well. I feel like i need to keep my designers motivated. I think if they see me being active and productive they will want to do the same.
What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?
I have found myself purchasing more from the internet simply because it is rare to find a traditional store that can beat the prices i find on the net. Ecommerce has been growing and will certainly continue to grow. You need only log into Ebay to see that. I have noticed now a trend of "ebay like" sites popping up all around us. That has to be for a reason.
What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
It's imperative. If you aren't visible you will suffer. I am constantly struggling to reach the top ranks of my keywords. It's such a time consuming chore to build your ranks.
What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?
I don't see how anyone can say a search engine has hindered their website. On any given day over 50% of my traffic is search engine driven. So yes, it certainly is a BIG help.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
I try to advertise on related websites, forums, and email groups. I also try to achieve high ranks on my keywords. I find that the email groups, and forums do well but usually drive traffic the day i post. The search engines bring traffic every day so that would have to be the most successful.
What method has been least successful for promoting your website?
hmmm, I would have to say joining a link trade site once. I never got requests for sites related to mine so it was pretty much a waste of time.
What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?
Less spam. Less Pop Ups.
How did you become interested in Digital Scrapbooking?
I have been creating computer generated graphics for almost 8 years. I have followed the trends in creating PSP Tags. That eventually led to me digital scrapbooking. The trend started to add scrapbooking elements to your tags. This led me on searches for digital scrapbooking supplies to create tags with. I then decided i should be able to create my own scrapbooking items. and that was all it took. I began by creating practice kits which i offered for free. Friends encouraged me to begin selling my designs. Though it much convincing i finally got there. I believe i was rejected from 2 digital scrap sites before being accepted to one. And less than 6 months later I had my own site.
What is your website address?
Digiscrap Boutique
