UPDATE: We've just made our first "interim" website live-- many of the things discussed in this thread were incorporated (or are in the process of being incorporated).
There is a flash presentation (on its way) that will go in place of the strawberries and wine/chees in the home page. And there are videos (finally!) that will also be incorporated on other pages-- links to the youtube versions of these videos is in one of the most recent posts on this thread.
Let me know what you think-- and remember-- this is still a work in progress-- this is our interim site until we get the 2 inns up and running!
Thanks again to all who have helped w/this. Your input is appreciated more than you know.
Original post that started the thread, back in March (before the changes):
OK, it's time.
We've been spending oodles of $$ on PPC and other online adverts, and getting plenty of traffic to our site.
And we get decent conversion, considering how many people are just "shopping".
We track the actual bookings, not just the click-throughs-- so we have a better idea of which sites/places give us the most bang for the buck.
********
But here's the thing:
We've just opened a SECOND B&B.
And we don't want to double our advertisting budget, so we'd like to have a "transition" website-- one that presents BOTH B&Bs on the same "go to" page.
The 2 B&Bs are different-- so we can try to figure out some way to attract different kinds of folks to each place.
********
MORE INFO:
I'm a big fan of [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Think-Common-Sense-Approach-Usability/dp/0789723107"]"Don't Make Me Think!"[/ame]-- and I think that most folks who come to our site are looking for:
#1 Availability and pricing (what rooms avail, on specific dates, for what price)
#2 What we offer for that $$ (our rooms, amenities, food, etc).
#3 What it's like to stay w/us (the overall experience)
#4 Our location (relative to nearby restaurants, wineries, and other attractions).
*********
Y'know what, though? These are the things *I* think are important. I could be way off on this. Input?
Other stuff:
-If you're NOT a B&B person, I don't want you to stay here and be disappointed. So having a really nice way to communicate that would be cool. We *do* have a ton of first time B&B folks stay w/us (more than 1000 each year), but they know what they're getting into.
-Our MO is to under-promise and over-deliver. So we've had a clunky website for years. Folks book not expecting what they find--or should I say, their expectations are more in line with reality, and not some over-romanticized website presenting a "dream version" of our Inn (too many inns make this mistake, IMO).
-Let me rephrase what I just said: We want people's expectations to be in line w/reality. We find this to be one of our most powerful and effective sales tools. If you call us and ask us how big a room is, we'll tell you it's tiny (we actually use that word, not "cozy"). We want your expectations to be LESS, and for you to be BLOWN AWAY by the experience. This makes for happy guests, GREAT referrals, and return guests.
*******
I'm considering having a design competition on 99designs (thanks PEERless for this site!).
And I'd be very, very appreciative of feedback/input here.
I'll add to this post (or thread) as I think of things.
Oh, almost forgot: Current website is: Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast Inn, Old World Inn - Romantic Lodging
Thanks in advance! :banana:
-Russ H.
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