Name of your website?Easy Aromatherapy Recipes
Your name?
Kyley Zimmerman
Your Location (city, etc)
Picton
Please give us a short summary of your website?
A fun, friendly place where you can learn to make your own scented goodies for bath, body and home, easy-aromatherapy-recipes.com offers simple recipes for everything from bath salts and massage oils to candles and acne creams. Learn about aromatherapy benefits and get remedies for stress, depression and other health issues. It's a great place to play!
What inspired you to launch your own website?
A few years ago I got a job managing an organic aromatherapy boutique where we made all our own products, and I fell in love with aromatherapy.
I use it for everything - from bath salts (for me!) to acne cream for my son to washing my floors.
In December, I made gift baskets with my own bath salts, hand wash and lotion, aromatherapy soy candles and lavender dryer sachets (they make your laundry smell fabulous!) It was fun, really didn't take that long and saved our family a bundle of money - which is good when times are so tight.
Making aromatherapy goodies is just so much fun I want to share it with everyone. Plus, it's good for you. You know exactly what you're putting on your skin - no harmful ingredients - and everything smells divine! Why would anyone want to miss out on this?
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
This is my first website ever. I'm very excited about it, and even though it's a lot of work, it's actually more like play.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
Actually, I had a major 'mentor' in my web hosting company - Site Build It!
They're so much more than just domain hosting. They provide a comprehensive training course on how to create a top-performance website in your area of expertise.
They're the ones who taught me how to choose a clear, simple name for my site instead of some of my more whimsical ideas.
If building your own website is something you're interested in, I definitely recommend checking them out at http://buildit.sitesell.com/Kyley.html
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
It's a lighthearted look at aromatherapy, and it focuses specifically on recipes that everyone can make. I try to stick to the more common, less expensive oils to keep it simple and accessible.
Also, I don't pretend to be a medical expert; instead I share what works for me (and what doesn't!) and suggest what other people might try.
It's really about having fun and trying new stuff - and getting awesome-smelling results!
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
I'd like to get this website really well established and then start another one on raw foods and juicing - using Site Build It! of course!
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
Oh man, that's the best part! I feel so successful with this. The training Site Build It! provides is so clear, focused and sensible that I never (OK, almost never!) feel overwhelmed. I just follow their advice step-by-step and the results fall into line, just like they promise. It's awesome!
I've scaled back my full time job a little so I can spend more time on my website, and it's totally worth it. I'm happier, less stressed out and I'm home when my son gets off the bus after school. Our family life has definitely improved.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I would hire someone to make my web elements (look and feel) more sophisticated. That's all. SBI is teaching me the rest, and I'm having a blast learning it. I don't really need anything else.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
I think so. I thought really hard about whether or not I wanted to offer my own line of aromatherapy products, and I decided against it for that very reason. I would feel terrible if I couldn't fulfill my obligations, and I would stress and obsess over it.
Instead, my plan is to stick with Google Ad Sense and affiliate programs and other soft goods. I may eventually write an e-book, but that's a ways down the road.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Actually, none. I feel silly going on about SBI!, but the truth is they include EVERYTHING in the package. It was less than $300! You just can't get that anywhere else these days.
What has been your biggest challenge?
I'd have to say it's dealing with my own impatience to see it go to the next level. Getting the ball rolling so people can find your site, getting it indexed on the search engines, can take a lot longer than your might wish. But I trust the process, and I'll just keep working at it.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
So far it's been writing articles for article directories like www.ezinearticles.com, SearchWarp.com and others. I also like to do link exchanges with high-value sites in related fields.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
I didn't really have any expectations, so I guess the only surprise is that I'm loving the creative process way more than I would have imagined. It's such a blast!
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?
I've had the site since September last year, and my plan is to keep it going indefinitely. There's always great new recipes that need to be shared!
What would you like to say to people about surviving in these tough economic times?
I live in an economically depressed area to start with, so we're hit especially hard with the economic downturn. In fact, I lost my job at the aromatherapy shop because the owner had to reduce the size of her business.
One of the great things about running a website is that your marketplace is worldwide, which helps make you more recession-proof. And if you get your niche topic just right, you can make enough money to pay the bills AND put some away for a rainy day.
What is your website address?
Easy Aromatherapy Recipes
