Name of your website? (NOT url, http://etc)Texas Horse Training
Your name?
Shelly Cooper
Your Location (city, etc)
Valley Mills, Texas. 25 minutes west of Waco.
When did you start your website and why?
Been riding horses all my life, training them since a teenager and giving riding instruction for 10 yrs now. Did Children's Horse Camps on a 1000 acre ranch that didn't belong to me until the owner's decided there were too many people to deal with because of the website I built for them. SOO I've been on my own since 2002 and don't have my own place to do these things in the same fashion. Love horses and kids and teaching others about horses so I'm still doing it I'm just doing it as a mobile trainer and instructor until some good looking, young, rich, stupid guy comes along that doesn't want to get married but is willing to buy my ranch for me. ; )~ Seriously thought about building a separate website like some of those people do so I can get real sympathetic suckers to donate money to my personal cause.
Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc
Website questions people about what their horse is doing and how they themselves are doing in an effort to have them take a closer look at their situation. It describes some basics about my training style, methods and philosophy and even gives a little insight into my quirks about people who pamper 55 million year old, 1000 lbs of muscle who really want to be in the hospital ER. It gives details about prices, contact information. I try to always be professional, customize my phrases and wording to each customers' personality in such a way that they continue to use me as their trainer, unlike other trainers do.
What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?
Getting the money to purchase the server space and domain because of no property to do the training on and no money to do other advertising I've had to take odd and end jobs elsewhere doing whatever to get the funds.
What has been the easist past of operating your website?
I can design it, build it, tweek it, edit it, maximize it, promote it, find the free stuff to add to it and get results.
What was your biggest mistake?
Getting married, I love my kids and I got divorced but I might have my own 1000 acres by now if I hadn't done that.
Who maintains your website and why?
Me, me, me. First of all, because I can. Second, because I hate being limited by webdesigners and servers on space, style or advertising. Originally built a website for the ranch I was working because it helped both of us. Now I'm doing it for myself.
Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?
The website I built for the ranch I worked on was incredible. I am extremely proud of what I did there. I had people contacting and visiting me from around the world. I had children come to my kid's camp from as far away as California and we ALL had a blast!
What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?
I really like the net, it's starting to get crowded though and I have to do a little more to keep up. Ecommerce is great for those who have money, bank accounts and credit cards. I hate credit cards and don't agree with all the money the bank charges for those pittly little things. I've wanted to buy off the net but don't use a bank account and don't have credit cards so that's a draw back. I'm a little old fashioned.
What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
Hmm, well... I don't like the limitations on meta tags.
What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?
They help if they are free listings but I don't like paid listings. Big businesses that charge for these things cause the little man in businesses to have trouble or go out of business.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Free URL listings with different search engines and directories.
What method has been least successful for promoting your website?
Paid advertising because of the limitations.
What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?
Somebody KILL microsoft and bill gates! If terrorists had brains...
Do I build websites for others?
YES! Pi In The Sky Ranch and will do others if requested but only for pay!
What is your website address?
Texas Horse Training
