Name of your website?Exigo translations Instant online translation quote
Your name?
Richard Welchman
Your Location (city, etc)
Oxford, Great Britain
When did you start your website and why?
I started the website in June 2006. I worked as a translator (Spanish - English) in Barcelona for 6 years and returned to UK to start a business providing translations in over 140 languages.
I personally created the website, along with an online quote calculator which is a first, the only translation agency where you can get an instant translation quote online.
This website is the 'face' of the business and where clients/users will interact.
Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc
The website is primarily to provide information on what we offer: professional translation in over 140 languages.
Its unique point, making it different from other competitors, is that it has a quote calculator so the user can instantly see how much a text that they need translated will cost.
What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?
Making it known to those who need it and will use it. Marketing the website on the internet, making people know that it exists and is usefull.
What has been the easist part of operating your website?
Setting up the host provider and creating the site as I can write the html, css and javascript code myself. This means I can also edit the website when changes have to be made, like updating the news sections and updating the look and features of the site.
What was your biggest mistake?
Not marketing the website to its maximum, thereby limiting its 'reach' to clients/users.
Who maintains your website and why?
Doteasy is my host provider, as they are very flexible in offering you exactly the options you need and only pay for what you choose. Their customer service is good and informal and will help you with scripts, etc...
Apart from the host provider, I created and edit the site myself.
Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?
The business is web based, so the face of the business is the website. The website is quick and easy to use and navigate. The online quote claculator is instant and only has 4 fields to complete and will give an instant quote.
What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?
Ecommerce has the potential to dominate over physical shops, as long as you know exactly what product you want. These products tend to be universal, so you know exactly what you are getting. Products like clothes will obviously not work so well as you need to 'feel' and 'touch' the product and more importantly see that it fits and looks good at first hand.
What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
It is a necessary part of any website, appealing to any section of the public. It works and is efficient in the sense that you have to have something that others want for SEO to work, so really it is beneficial and certainly seperates good, informative, usefull sites from those that have no real use.
What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?
I think they have helped, although as any new website with little to no financial resources, it is hard to get seen out there. Basic SEO techniques do work as long as done honestly.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Applying to directories ad getting the name of the website out there. Getting links is very hard although recipricol links are possible, although you don't know who or what you are linking to.
What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?
More emphasis on smaller sites that offer unique, usefull or informative websites and which don't necessarily have the financial resources to promote themselves in the same way better financed comercial sites can.
What is your website address?
Exigo translations Instant online translation quote
