Name of your website?www.collierphoto.ca
Your name?
Gary Collier
Your Location (city, etc)
Newmarket, Ontario Canada
Please give us a short summary of your website?
My website includes samples of modelling, wedding, commercial, as well as some event photography. I have a short bio and a section on my photo classes.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
I have always believed that if you're not ahead, you must be behind!
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
It was smaller and it was about 5 years ago.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
That's easy, I've been known as Collier Photo over twenty years now. The technology doesn't change that!
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
Well, for one thing, there are few photographers with college teaching experience, I dedicate a section to that. I like the easy to use ability of my site. I also allow customers to view their images on the site in my client login section. They may purchase directly if they wish.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
I'd like to add a blog, discuss issues relating to photography. I get a lot of e-mails from students, and I'm sure a lot of information would help others as well with the same questions.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
I think more and more customers are using the computer to find businesses now, but it can always be better.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I am very well equipped, I'd be more likely to hire staff to help web, marketing, post production.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
No problem!
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Not too bad, really
What has been your biggest challenge?
As a photographer, we learn photography very well, but nobody teaches marketing. You can be a great photographer with no business as easily as a poor photographer may have good marketing skills, and appear to be busy for a short term.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Advertising on the web.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
A little more time consuming.
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?
As long as possible.
How would you spend your time if you could?
I would like to do what I do best and take photos all day long, and let others do the marketing, and post production!
What is your website address?
www.collierphoto.ca
