Name of your website?Alburtis Soapworks
Your name?
Tracey Hartley
Your Location (city, etc)
Alburtis
Please give us a short summary of your website?
Specializing in handmade all natural soaps, body butters, lip balms, milk baths and more. 99% all natural, 100% great for your skin and our Earth. We also offer customized labels for special occasions on any of our products as well as gift baskets and gift sets.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
I wanted to create a business where I could stay home with my children, help our Earth and help other people who have problematic skin.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
I launched Alburtis Soapworks in 2008 and it has been going strong ever since!
How did you decide on a name for your website?
I used the name of the town I live in along with the name of the first products I started making and then selling to others.
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
I offer a great variety of all natural products at an affordable cost to my customers.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
I don't know!
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
It is very hard to balance working at home with raising a family but both are very rewarding!
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I would make my soaps and other products in larger batches.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Yes, through the help of family and friend.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Suppliers being out of supplies I need for large orders, sick children, not enough time to get things done.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Trying to balance my work with my time for my family.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Word of mouth and getting out into the public's eye to gain their trust and interest by giving out free samples.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
It's been a bit easier then I had expected due to my template based site.
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 it up and running for about 8 months and I will continue as long as it keeps my customers and family happy.
What do you hope to do with the money you earn from your website?
Take my kids on a Disney Cruise!
What is your website address?
Alburtis Soapworks
