The 5 Things You Should ALWAYS Have On a B&B Website
1. Professional photographs
Never underestimate the power of a fantastic photograph. When it comes to B&B marketing, it’s important that you showcase your rooms in the most favourable light possible. Make sure that the bathroom is clean, the bed is made and the carpet is clear of debris and stains. Don’t take photos of minor details, however lovely they might be; your customers want to see the room, not the flowers! If you’re stuck for ideas, hire a professional photographer with previous experience of shooting properties. If you can’t afford a professional photographer, there are plenty of great resources online to help you pick up the tricks of the trade.
2. Room facilities
Believe it or not, there will be some people who won’t book a room because it doesn’t have a TV. Include your room’s facilities in simple bullet points that will be easy for potential customers to skim through. Don’t leave the important details out; TVs with Freeview or Sky capabilities will be much more appealing than those without. Look at the strengths of your rooms and see how you can use these to your advantage. Rooms on the ground floor, for example, are ideal for guests who have trouble with stairs. Don’t oversell standard rooms and make sure that anything you market as ‘superior’ actually has something special about it!
3. A map of your location
It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many B&Bs do not include a clear map of their location on their website. Google Maps API has a great tutorial page for putting interactive maps on your website. As a general rule, it’s also helpful to include walking/driving directions from the local train station or airport to your B&B. If your house is in the heart of the country, it’s essential that you have directions from the nearest motorway or main landmark. If you think your guests may have trouble finding you, include some more specific landmarks such as a farm shop with a memorable name.
4. A ‘book now’ button
With so many businesses now online, a telephone number and a postal address just won’t cut it anymore. People want to be able to arrange their holiday online with a simple click of a button. If you haven’t already, develop an online booking system for your site or enlist the help of a B&B booking database. Make sure that your ‘book now’ button is big, bright and easy to access.
5. Reviews
Reviews are often overlooked by B&B owners, but they are an integral part of a successful website. Consumers don’t trust businesses; they trust other consumers. Highlighting good feedback from former guests will show other potential customers what they could be missing. If you haven’t already got one, create a section for positive reviews on your website. Where possible, you should use recent reviews from the last six months; comments from over a year ago will make your B&B seem outdated and unprofessional.
Images from Flickr users nanny snowflake and Vladimir Morozov
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Category: Running a B&B, The Internet
