'Rio Apartment Rentals Interview'

Name of your website?

Rio Apartment Rentals

Your name?

Bruce Jones

Your Location (city, etc)

Rio de Janeiro

When did you start your website and why?

We started in 2003 as a service to the many foreign visitors to Rio de Janeiro who were looking for accommodations on par with hotels but not as expensive.

Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc

We rent luxury apartments to tourists in Rio de Janeiro. Most of our clients like nice accommodations but seek the privacy not available when staying in hotels. We scout the best apartments with modern furnishings and amenities for our clients

What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?

The currency fluctuation of the Dollar and Euro makes it hard. When the exchange rate is weak as it it now, tourism slacks off. People don't travel when their money doesn't buy much, so you have to offer incentives for them to come.

What has been the easist part of operating your website?

Being able to operate on the internet and do business virtually.

What was your biggest mistake?

Not paying close enough attention to the competition.

Who maintains your website and why?

I do, I'm the webdesign and owner of the compan

Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?

99% of my business comes from the website. With people using search engines to find us.

What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?

I only see it growing. I see more people working from home in the future and the internet will be the biggest part of that.

What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

Everybody is a so called expert, but just when they get something that works, Google changes everything. One day you're on the top, and the next on the bottom. There's only a few out there that I think really know what they're doing. Brad Callen to name one.

What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?

Both - I've been highly ranked #1 and always first page, but then Google changes constantly and I'm thrown all over the place. It really hurts business when they trounce you. I've never done any black hat seo, and just try to maintain my site for my visitors, but then Google will flip the script.

What method has been most successful for promoting your website?

Word of mouth, link sharing,

What method has been least successful for promoting your website?

SEO

What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?

Can't really say, but I think sites that have a long history should have weight over newer sites that come in and exploit search engine parameters.

You can enter a question of your choice and the answer here:

Question: What's the best and worst search engine?

Answer: Google!

What is your website address?

Rio Apartment Rentals

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