Name of your website?KeepThe SeatUp.com
Your name?
Mike Dinndorf
Your Location (city, etc)
Excelsior
Please give us a short summary of your website?
Keeptheseatup.com is all about transforming your space into your PLACE! We serve the "modern man" and provide him one stop shopping to turn his basement or extra room into the ultimate game room that any man would envy. We scoure to find you the best deals available and provide you an easy check out that will deliver everything you need to be the envy of your buddies. HDTV, home theater, billiards, darts, poker, sports memorabilia are the essentials for the modern man. We even have a section called "Ladies Man" to help guys clean up and make a good first impression. We give them the top ten colognes to chose, fitness products and even scented candles to help create the mood.
The name of the website appeals to the targeted customer. Most guys - especially those single guys - just leave the seat up in the bathroom...and since it's their place they don't have to put down the seat if they don't want to!! We try to embrace the concept of "Isn't it great to be a guy."
What inspired you to launch your own website?
There are so many entrepeneurial opportunities out there and I think you need to find a niche, create a plan to focus on them so you can properly service their needs and run with it.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
This is the first website that I've launched, but won't be the next. I'm currently building another business model that will provide custom gifts...look for www.giftimpossible.com sometime later in 2008!!
How did you decide on a name for your website?
Guys are notorious for leaving the toilet seat up and they always catch grief from their female guests. But it's their place...so why not embrace it. Hey, "Keep The Seat Up" appeals to the guy who wants to control and create his own unique place.
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
We really have tried to make the website user-friendly so a busy man can see what's the latest and greatest in game room products without getting overwhelmed. Instead of listing every available product in the entire world, we've picked what we beleive to be the best products at the best value to the KeeptheSeatUp.com shopper.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
I would like to continue to streamline and develop this website so it continually evolves and changes with the marketplace and trends in technology. If we serve our customer well, the profits will follow and we can continue to invest in the site...that will better serve the customer. Hence, a win-win cycle with our customer.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
It's too early to gauge what is success looks like for KeeptheSeatUp.com yet but the investment has been worth it. The learning curve alone is so valuable to know have under out belts.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
The customer interface for the website would always be the area I would continually improve upon, even if it was already very good. To keep a customer on your website is critical, so anything you can do to provide them unique content, information and services is always going to be the top priority. I would also continue to build out the ability to have a 1:1 relationship with the customer through interactive modules, forums and customized marketing offers specificaly designed for each customer's needs and interests.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Yes...and I hope someday I am faced with that challenge!!
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Programming and technology has been challenging at times but costs have been controlled as much as possible during the launch phase of KeeptheSeatup.com. Pay for Click costs can become an expense that may not have a solid ROI if not properly managed...so maximize your SEO and other 'free' marketing opportunities to promote your website.
What has been your biggest challenge?
A major challenge has been taking on much of the website development without a significant amount of outside tech support. However, I've learned a great deal and will only continue to learn more about online retail/marketing as our website gains more exposure. That kind of experience is so valuable for an entrepeneur.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Search Engine Optimization is critical to driving traffic. But one other key marketing effort often not used is providing your network of friends and family a coupon/online discount for them to use...but also to forward to their own network of friends and family.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
The amount of time spent tweaking and maximizing your website is crucial and is a constant reason to sit in your chair and bang it out...vs just launching a website and expecting customers. You need to work it every day if you want to drive customers to your site. Remmeber, there a zillion other websites out there that are trying to steal your page views!
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?
The website is only a few months old and we will continue to drive and improve upon it over the next 12-18 months. Over that time we will continue to monitor and update our business plan, but overall there is no reason to see this website going dark anytime soon.
Why should any reading this article check out your website?
Because it is a great example of what can be done on a small budget. AND...the prices are unbeatable!
What is your website address?
KeepThe SeatUp.com
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