'Ohio Amish Country Interview'

Name of your website?

Ohio Amish Country

Your name?

Carol Sechriest

Your Location (city, etc)

Millersburg

When did you start your website and why?

I started it in 2003 because I saw a need for the tourists to this area to find out about activities in the area.

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

I write a free online newsletter called Amish Country Chit Chat, where I tell about things going on here in the largest Amish settlement in the world. The free newsletter gets people to my website, where they can read the information posted there, and perhaps buy a map, book, DVD or other item for sale there.

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

Trying to figure out how to sell things and keeping it all up to date. Not knowing HTML has limited me somewhat.

What has been the easist part of operating your website?

The program I used, Homestead, is very user friendly and made it easy to operate and I change things myself without paying someone to do it for me. It is also very affordable.

What was your biggest mistake?

Waiting so long before I found my niche and something to sell.

Who maintains your website and why?

I do.

Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?

My website is my business.

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

I am very positive about it and think it works great.

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

I don't know a whole lot about it.

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

Yes, I get most of my visitors by way of search engines.

What method has been most successful for promoting your website?

Google adsense and adwords, word of mouth, business card handouts, link exchanges, local businesses

What is your website address?

Ohio Amish Country

Are you Amish? I suspect not.

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