There is no doubt that effective marketing will bring new and returning guests to your vacation site – whether it’s a small beach home for rent, or a destination retreat exclusively for adults. No matter. When searching for the perfect vacation site, potential guests look for very specific information. There is no doubt that the more details you are able to include in your website, the more likely you are to capture vacation dollars.
* When first trying to decide where to visit or what to do, vacationers now use the Internet as their personal travel agent and researcher. By typing in their choice(s) for the “best vacation ever,” they weigh all the factors that are important to them for an enjoyable trip. Do they favor water specific locations – a beach in Tahiti, a lake in Wisconsin or a river in Glacier National Park? Maybe they prefer a mountain destination – Mt. Rainier or a trek through the Swiss Alps. Are they folks that want to be where the action is, or do they relish the quiet and peace of a secluded beachfront cabin? When describing your location, make sure you feature anything and everything that might appeal to potential vacationers.
* Nothing is more true than the adage, “Every picture tells a story.” When trying to attract visitors to your destination, it is very important to include clear and descriptive photos of the facility itself, the rooms, the common areas, the surrounding scenery and any number of other attractions that make your site unique and inviting. Group the photos into sections — for example don’t put a photo of the mirror-like lake in with those showing a typical guest bathroom. Make it easy for a potential visitor to travel through your website with ease and in a natural progression. Remember, photo quality is of primary importance. If you’re not a good photographer, hire a professional. A single photo may sell your property to an indecisive potential visitor!
* With the availability of sophisticated, hand held equipment, it is now possible for you to produce a 360-degree video of your guest rooms, the dining room, the swimming pool and most other guest sites. The video should look as if it was done professionally so, if in doubt regarding your photography skills, hire a professional for this one.
* Don’t forget to include information regarding the history of the area. For example, did it develop as a result of California’s Gold Rush in the 1850s? Do your own research using the local library and Chamber of Commerce brochures. Is your location the birthplace of someone famous, or did a major Civil War battle take place just five miles out of town?
* Should you recommend travel insurance to potential guests? This relatively inexpensive protection might save hem hundreds of dollars should a medical emergency or some other problem occur prior to or during their trip.
* One of the best ways to get the “flavor” of a vacation site is to include stories told by previous visitors or area locals. Be sure to include the tale about the biggest fish ever caught off the facility’s dock. Or maybe there’s an especially interesting “character” who lives nearby and who enjoys talking with visitors every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. In addition, there’s no harm in including comments written by former guests in your website. These will assure your credability and attest to the fact that your fresh-squeezed fruit juices are the best they’ve ever tasted room. A comments section will also give former visitors the chance to rave about the free bicycles, fishing poles and rowboats you make available to all registered guests!
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