Your websites content is important from a number of perspectives, but the main ones are:
So a search engine can find you – make sure you use keywords in your text. The page you are writing should be relevant information to the url and title of the page.
So visitors can access all the information they require – for guest houses think of the important things for guests:
- Location
- Amenities
- Things to do in the area
- Security
- Activities
- Rooms
- Tea/ coffee / mini fridge / self catering
- Communal areas
- Children’s facilities
- Breakfast choice
- Special offers
- Other services – airport pick ups, tours, braai nights, honesty bar
- Introduction of the owners / managers
- Climate
To navigate your visitors to your site’s goal (for example to making an enquiry or booking). Text should be logical and ‘’steer’’ the visitor towards your site’s goal. For example home page – view our rooms – specific room – enquire about rates.
To show what makes your guest house different – there are an estimated 30,000 guest houses in South Africa for people to choice from. Make sure you use your site to say what makes yours different.
RESEARCH
View other guest houses’ websites, not just South African ones, but from all over the world. Dot down ideas, what you liked, what worked well and what impressed you. Take all the best bits and start your planning.
ASK YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
The beauty of facebook and other social and business networks is the ability to communicate with them quickly and efficiently. Tell your network what you are thinking of putting on your site, ask their opinion for other content or ideas.
PLAN YOUR CONTENT
Before embarking on your website layout, decide exactly what information you want it to contain. Imagine you are creating a book called XXXX Guest house. Think what chapters you want within the book and the pages you want in each chapter.
What extras do you want: –
- Photo gallery
- Newsletter
- Weather box
- Currency converter
- Online booking
- Online payment facility
- A guest book to publish your guest’s comments (with their permission)
- A link to your facebook, twitter and\or blog
To contact Incompass, the Guest House Insurance experts please use the contacts below: