1) Tell us a bit about yourself, your website and anything else you'd like
to mention.
I started the web site with my partner in 2000 and launched the site
in early 2001. My background is in the restaurant business and I knew the
value of providing incentives to bring customers into an establishment. We
thought a web site that provided discount information would be a great
success.
2) Why did you create the website?
At the time of our web site launch, there were no resources that
provided information on businesses that provided discounts to the over-50
community. In fact there were very few senior-oriented businesses at all.
There was an obvious need to fill this void and hence the creation of
SeniorDiscounts.com. We are now the largest directory of businesses that
provide senior discounts with over 165,000 discount locations and over
80,000 members.
3) What has been the feedback you have received about your site and how do
you go about making changes?
Generally the feedback from our members and the press has been very
positive. We are continually making changes and updates to the site and
services in response to the feedback and the general economic market. In
2005 we offered a paid membership service that provided exclusive discounts
to those paying members. We continue to offer this premium level of service,
and will soon be providing more information on our site for free.
We will also be adding a new blog feature and a Question and Answer
section to the web site in the near future. This is in addition to our free
newsletter, which we have had since the beginning.
4) What can I find at the Senior Discounts website that is unique and
special among all of the senior-related and caregiving websites out there?
We provide specific information relating to senior discounts and
money-saving techniques focused on the senior market. We strive to provide
information on local businesses and discounts, while most sites just list
the national brands.
5) How did you accumulate information on over 150,000 discounts?
We have many techniques to gather information about senior
discounts. But one of the most valuable is the users and members of the web
site. Every week we challenge our members to locate discounts in their local
area and select a winner every week. The winner receives a free premium
membership to our web site. We then research and post these "finds" on the
site.
6) Is there a way you go about screening the list to make sure it is
accurate?
While we try and update the information on our site every year, we
also rely on our members to help us keep the data up to date. We ask members
to let us know about any changes in the status of a business or its senior
discount.
7) How do people get involved with SeniorDiscounts.com?
We have lots of areas on the site where seniors can contact us or
tell us about new discounts or correct existing discounts. We think the new
features that we will be adding soon, will greatly improve the communication
and allow us and the rest of the SeniorDiscounts community connect with one
another.
David Smidt
SeniorDiscounts.com
Phone: 505-366-1663
Fax: 505-792-6003
info@seniordiscounts.com
http://www.seniordiscounts.com
