Name of your website?creative88photo
Your name?
Doug Gillespie
Your Location (city, etc)
Zhuhai, Guangdong
When did you start your website and why?
creative88photo has been around for a few years. It started in Canada (where I am from) to showcase the models I was helping get started. Now I live in China and continue to work with models as well as taking images of the many new site I enjoy around the city, in the countryside and about Asia.
Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc
At this time I am inviting other amateur togs as well as models, stylists and makeup artists to come forward and make art together.
What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?
There are only so many hours in the day. I really want to spend more time with a camera in my hand rather than trying to fix all the coding mistakes I make working on the site. The other difficulty I have is trying to keep it interesting. My knowledge of marketing and human nature seems lacking when it comes to really giving my visitors something special. If you visit creative88photo and have suggestions I welcome all.
What has been the easist part of operating your website?
The best thing I ever did since starting this site is getting hosted by HostPapa. I should have used them from the start. They are the most helpful people I have ever worked with. And that is saying something because we work together from across the world!
What was your biggest mistake?
Too many to list ;)
Who maintains your website and why?
I do all my own work on the site as I am not doing this for profit and have a limited budget. Recently I have engaged the help of a Chinese friend to work on translating some of my site into Chinese... hopefully I will add his content soon!
Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?
I am not a business per se but I still benefit from the contacts I make through my website. Whether they are other togs or people wanting to start a modelling career I gain experience meeting new people.
What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?
It really is just a tool, but the tool is taking on life and there are few businesses that can afford not to have some kind of participation on the internet.
What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
To be honest I don't know enough about it to comment.
What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?
Both. While having a way to find what you are looking for on this vast playing field, it seems like search engines usually bring too many options and sometimes useless ones. Hopefully that is what SEO is about fixing.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Word of mouth and interaction with other websites.
What method has been least successful for promoting your website?
Doing nothing!
What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?
Something has to be done about spam! Despite rumors, I don't need larger genitals and if I want to invest, I will talk to my banker. Thank you very much.
You can enter a question of your choice and the answer here:
How many photographers does it take to screw in a lightbulb? None, natural light is best!
What is your website address?
creative88photo