advertising B&B online

jobless

Hi,

I run a small bed and breakfast and i'm tying to figure out the best ways to advertise online to increase business.
Has anyone any advise on the best ways to do this?.... I have a small budget to spend so am looking for the best way to spend it.

thanks

Tabnabs

There's a good article in last Sunday Times's business section on this exact subject if you can get hold of it.

Peterdalkey

That really depends on a load of factors, like where you are located?, what are you near ( attractions/factories/hospitals etc etc)? Are you competing with local hotels? what is the local B&B competition?, why do people visit your area?

Cianos

First things first, do you have a website?

jobless

yes i have a website but a very basic one..... the b&b is based in a south east town....one hotel but a few more B&B's.... I know with the recession things have calmed down quite a bit so was looking for ideas on how to increase an online presence....

thesteve

You should create an entry on https://www.airbnb.com/
It's getting more popular in Ireland.

Try and get it on tripadvisor too. Good luck!

gowley

not sure about tripadvisor steve. seems to me no matter how good the hotel/b&b you have there are always some really bad reviews on that. its open to abuse from competitors with no actual justification. basically competitors or begrudgers can post even if they havent stayed

Peterdalkey

You are competing locally with one hotel and a few other B&Bs, so what features or advantages have you got to create a USP that you can market to gain competitive advantage?
It is much easier and effective to hang your promotion around such a core point. You can then upgrade your website but you still need to market and promote the website to generate traffic. You could offer free accommodation but if nobody sees the site, nobody would book!

Cianos

OP, if you'd like to PM me your site I can have a look and make some recommendations, and give you a bit of advice on what your advertising options are.

Peterdalkey

Cianos wrote: »

OP, if you'd like to PM me your site I can have a look and make some recommendations, and give you a bit of advice on what your advertising options are.

very generous of you Cianos!

Gloomtastic!

Tabnabs wrote: »

There's a good article in last Sunday Times's business section on this exact subject if you can get hold of it.

Got a copy here if you want it, PM me your address and I'll post it. The article was written to publicise a workshop Failte Ireland is running for B&B Owners on May 21 called Connectivity on the Move. Details here.....

http://www.failteireland.ie/Training-Workshops/Web-Check-conference,-connectivity-on-the-move.aspx#searchtext=&

thesteve

gowley wrote: »

not sure about tripadvisor steve. seems to me no matter how good the hotel/b&b you have there are always some really bad reviews on that. its open to abuse from competitors with no actual justification. basically competitors or begrudgers can post even if they havent stayed

I wasn't referring to reviews, I was referring to the ability to reserve over tripadvisor

gowley

thesteve wrote: »

I wasn't referring to reviews, I was referring to the ability to reserve over tripadvisor

my point was if you go to reserve on tripadvisor you look at the reviews and they are open to competitors slagging the place off.

Loris.N

Hi Jobless,

Create accounts on social networks (i.e Twitter & Facebook) and share informations, prices, pictures of your home and maybe renters.
Manage your community and your fans will become your customers.

There is a lot of B&B examples on Facebook, Might you can follow them.

Arjuna4

go online and try to find out all of your competitors and their business tact to improve the business..
if you have a business online website than it can be more helpful to increase business rates..