Thursday, 14 May 2009

Free Promotion of a Self Catering Website

Bookster users are always asking us how to increase traffic to their site, there are many free methods to promote your website that complement the paid for methods (e.g pay-per-click banners or commission based directories) - below I will look at some ways to get your website out there and prospective customers visiting it.

I would not recommend using free methods alone, but it is a good way to start. I will address paid for methods in another blog post.

For the experienced holiday home owner, the following advice may be obvious, but for those slightly less confident about promoting their site online, read on...

So you've got your holiday property website up and running, with Bookster ready and waiting to take those bookings but how do you go about getting people to find your site?

Search Engines

The most powerful way to get visitors

Submit the URL (domain) of your website into the popular search engines to ensure your site is being "indexed" and will show up when users search for it:

Content (Blogs etc.)

Content is tied closely to search

The only way to be seen above the crowd on search engines is to have fresh and relevant content.

The way to consistently attract traffic above and beyond your competition is have better content than them.

Start blogging on what is great about your holiday home:

attractions
events (sports, theatre, festivals etc.)
walks, cycle paths etc.

Free Directories

Linking from popular directories can only help

Take advantage of the directories that give you the ability to get links back to your site for free.

There are many of these directories out there, here are some of the the larger and more popular ones to try first:

Examples of Free Business Directories

Examples of Free to List Self Catering / Accommodation Directories

Public Photos

Show off your pictures of the area

Having great photographs of your property and surrounds is essential for your website - it is one of the main drivers for people sending you an enquiry or making a booking.

I am sure your photographer (or you) has taken great pictures of your properties... make sure he/she takes some of the surrounds of your properties - post them to popular photo sites with links to your site:

Newsletters

Keep reminding people you exist

Many of your bookings will come from repeat stays, collect email addresses and regularly email your previous guests.

Ensure you put a form on your web site to get people to sign up to your news letter (just as we have done for Bookster!)

There are some great mass mailing web applications out there, here are a couple of popular ones:

Social Media

Keep your eye on the new search

You probably hear term "Social Media" cropping up all the time, and with social media you really get out what you put in.

It can bring you instant, relevant visits so here are a few to get you started.

Facebook - Make up a page and get your friends to join... do they even know you have a holiday home?
Twitter - great for chatty types who have lots of little things to say.
You could start by following us - booksterhq! Some examples of "tweeting" holiday home owners:
LinkedIn - Aimed at the business user so get befriending all of your colleagues and tell them about your holiday home!

Good luck getting those visitors to your holiday home website and the bookings rolling in!