How I Built My Web Site
-- and became an adventurer

Hi, I'm Heidi. In 2006, I was just another business owner trying to get onto the internet. The days of paper ads was passing. I didn't have a web site, and I felt a bit invisible.

I and my husband own a landscaping company. Each year, we work hard to provide a great experience for our clients. Now, though, they were looking for us on the internet. I needed help!

That's why I started looking for an Eau Claire web designer on the internet. It quickly became obvious that there were vast differences in service. On the one hand were the super-savvy web designers with all kinds of flashy programs. On the other were those that had a cute home page, but no real information. Some I barely found at all.

A Setback

I didn't even bother contacting the web sites that were invisible. There's so much more to web-building than just creating a page. So, I contacted a local business that seemed to know what they were doing and scheduled a meeting. What I found was frightening.

For the investment that I was going to make, they would create a beautiful site, but.... I felt like I would have no control over my site. I was used to taking charge and making things happen.

How were people going to find me? Would my site just be floating in space? Would I have to make another investment in tons of advertising? For that matter, why was the maintenance so high? I needed more information.

There are plenty of 'free' web-building sites, but they didn't seem right, either. Again -- how would I know they weren't just 'floating in space' with no one to see them? How could I connect with my potential clients? I didn't know what I didn't know.

Back to the internet, I searched. Surely there had to be 'Option C'. I was willing to even build it myself, but I had no idea how to start.

The Solution

Then I found it. A system offered to teach me how to build my own Eau Claire web site. Even more, it would show me how to get found on the net. It was like they read my mind.

They would teach me how to build the site and write for the web. I'd create a great experience for my potential clients. Even more, I'd be able to see the traffic, check how I ranked in Google, write a newsletter, even a blog -- and get found by search engines. No hunting all over the net for what I needed to know. Here it was.

My articles would get found by Google and produce traffic to my site. My visitors would get all the information that I would normally give them in person (and more!). I could create surveys, upload photos -- this software is packed with tools. Plus, the support was there if I got stuck.

After all kinds of reading and studying and second-guessing, I took the plunge and ordered the program. The cost? $300 per year -- this is what the other company offered for their monthly maintenance fee! It was even less than an ad in the Yellow Pages.

Besides all that, the company told me they'd refund my money if it wasn't for me. That was the kicker. I tried it. At first, it was a bit overwhelming, but I hung on. Before too long, I had a web site! Even better, I was able to write great articles that people wanted to read. I was connecting with people in Eau Claire and around the world.

Over the first few months and years, my traffic grew and grew. I didn't have a lot of time to write, but when I did, traffic would grow more. By the end of the first year, I had people finding me even in the middle of winter. Kinda surprising for a landscaping company. I also have a monthly newsletter that fans subscribe to.

Enjoy is Born

I never could have predicted it, but my first web site started something. I realized that I could build a web site about anything that I'm passionate about. Make money and doing what I love on my own terms. It was a match I couldn't resist.

For years, I'd kept mental tabs on great restaurants in Eau Claire. For years, I'd been frustrated about not being able to find fun family things to do in the area. Real restaurant reviews, park information, events -- all this could be on my own web site!

Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore. In 2009, I purchased another site. I'd already been writing articles and collecting photographs for months. In the spring of 2010, my web site went live. Enjoy Eau Claire was born.

Why Share This?

So, why am I sharing this? As a small business owner, I know how hard it is. You have to be an accountant, marketing exec, manager, motivator, designer, and much more every day. It's tough.

Yet, here is something that allows us to design our own web site on a small budget. Yes, it's work. Most things that are worthwhile are work.

With the economy in shambles, many Eau Claire businesses are tightening their budgets. This company offers a low-risk way of building your own site on your own schedule.

The Results

Every day, people in the Eau Claire area can visit my web site. They discover events, restaurants, and fun things to do for their family. When I uncover a great boutique, I write about it. How fun is that?

So, how do I make money? Right now, the web site is still building traffic. Soon, you may see Google Ads on a few pages. I'll also be offering some advertising opportunities for businesses.

My website for my Eau Claire landscape design/install company offers advice to locals looking for information. When they need a landscaping company, I'm easy to find -- and they feel like they already know me.

I'm a small business owner because I like being in charge of my own destiny. Yes, it's work. That's why this is a good way to start. You won't have thousands invested in equipment and marketing. Your small investment is even refundable if you find that it's not for you.

Check out the secret of how to make your web site sell -- for free.

If you're ready to go, order now. Not quite ready? Here's where you can call with questions. I know you'll find that they're helpful folks.

Build your own business, on your own time, and on your own terms. I did.