Name of your website?The Light Beyond
Your name?
Lucie Storrs
Your Location (city, etc)
Higgins Lake
When did you start your website and why?
I created this project as a tribute to my mother, who sadly died when I was too young to remember her. The way this affected my life, and my subsequent experiences of grief and loss, made me want to reach out and help others who have suffered the loss of a loved one. The project began on 1 January 2007 and has now already started to help others, which has made all the hard work feel worthwhile!
Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc
The site has an increasingly busy bereavement forum, frequently updated blog, inspirational movie which I created using SwishMax, and a comprehensive library of information on all aspects of death and dying. The content is unique to The Light Beyond. It is also possible to purchase sympathy flowers, bereavement books and our own ebook of over 250 funeral poems and readings.
What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?
The steep learning curve - I did it all myself (built the site, made the movie, set up the blog etc.) and it was my first Internet marketing project. I found configuring the forum the hardest part.
What has been the easist part of operating your website?
Blogging! I love it.
What was your biggest mistake?
Trying to do it all myself, I guess! I need to stop being such a control freak...
Who maintains your website and why?
I do, as now that I've got the hang of it, it's not that hard. If I get stuck I call people who can fix it.
Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?
This is a new project, so it's still just getting started. However, I feel confident that it will do well and help thousands of people all over the world.
What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?
Rosy! It's the way to go, if you ask me.
What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
I think the best thing is not to try to cheat, or use black-hat techniques, but to provide a good, content-rich site.
What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?
It's proving harder than I thought to get a good placement on Google, but I'm working on it!
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
No one method so far has been WAY better than another; I think my affiliate program will be the key to getting more widely known, and I'm working on it. Plus that will provide large numbers of one-way links to my site from other relevant sites, which is what I am currently lacking.
What method has been least successful for promoting your website?
Possibly putting my inspirational movie on YouTube; so far I just haven't had the viewing figures I would like.
What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?
Less sp*mmers! they ruin everything...
You can enter a question of your choice and the answer here:
What would be your advice to someone who has been recently bereaved?
Take all the time you need to grieve. It's been said that time heals grief, but it's what you do with your time that slowly starts you on your healing process. Although it doesn't feel like it, you will be doing a good thing by allowing yourself to experience the pain and sorrow now rather than suppressing it and having it catch you completely off guard years down the line.
What is your website address?
The Light Beyond
