How to Check Out the Competition
It’s always handy to know who you are competing with in business, either before you choose to start a B&B or to improve an existing business – so here are three tips to help you find out the nitty gritty on your competitors and glean valuable advice to improve your B&B with help from the other side…
Check out their reviews
If your competitor has a website, log on and have a read through the guest reviews, here you will find useful hints on what they liked and didn’t like. It’s also worth looking up the competition on travel review sites, such as Trip Advisor, Virtual Tourist and Lonely Planet. If they are as popular as they make out they will be present on at least one of these sites.
Ask your guests
There is a possibility that your guests may have either stayed at the competitor’s B&B or at least have heard about them. If they have been previous guests then ask them what the high points and low points were and use this information to your advantage.
Another great way to find out info is to ask your guests why they chose to stay at your B&B and not the competition. You never know, you might be pleasantly surprised by their reply. Whatever the answer, work on this and use the information to your advantage.
Become a guest
This is a rather obvious choice but it is really the only true way you will find out if they have the ‘edge’. Take in as much as possible, from the complimentary toiletries in the bathroom to the welcome tray to the breakfast menu.
Anything you can use, however small or insignificant you think it may be, just jot it down, and when you get home you can draw up a pros and cons list and compare it with what’s on offer at your B&B. Don’t let it get you down, just see it as a learning curve and some great, free advice.
Image: Thanks to Rennette Stowe on Flickr.com
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Category: B&B Management, Starting a Bed and Breakfast
