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paul President


Joined: 15 Oct 2002 Posts: 8314 Location: UK 11706 ants
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 3:27 pm Post subject: What are the key things you'd like to see on a website... |
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...for a self-catering property (or group of properties)?
(To any Americans reading this... self-catering = vacation rentals)
So far I'm thinking, the core things are...
- introduction
- info on the accommodation with lots of pics
- info on facilities
- rates
- information on local area and attractions
- map
- contact details
And possible extras might be...
- availability / online booking
- offers
- events in local area
- a blog
- a shop (eg. selling books/maps on local area, travel insurance, etc.)
- info specific to certain groups (families, couples, people with pets, etc.)
- info on local walks
- info on other niche interests (horse riding, golf, etc.)
- info on local restaurants, bars, shops, etc.
- guest comments/reviews (possibly even linking to Tripadvisor)
- awards (if applicable)
- press coverage
- mailing list
- competition
- foreign language versions
- webcam
- weather forecast
- ability to send pictures as e-postcards
Plus...
- a Facebook fan page
- a Twitter account
Any further input...?
Thanks. _________________ UK Hotels - UK Selfcatering
Luxury Travel - Lake District Apartment |
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Kay President


Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Posts: 3079 Location: Mostly SE Asia 4173 ants
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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Good list, Paul.
If I was going on a self catering holiday, I'd find it incredibly useful to know what the kitchen was like and what kitchen equipment was available.
We rented a little house-boat in France a few years back and, despite it being tiny, the kitchen was very well equipped. (Yay for the French!).
We've been to self catering places elsewhere and apart from the sink and cooker, there's been just nothing. I would like to know beforehand what to expect. _________________ http://britishexpat.com |
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paul President


Joined: 15 Oct 2002 Posts: 8314 Location: UK 11706 ants
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, good point... so some kind of inventory then.
What equipment is in the property (partly covered by the photos and facilities info, I suppose) but also what items people can expect to find, whether it be dishwasher tablets, toilet rolls, towels or whatever...
I know one place I once stayed they had a basket of items that visitors might have forgotten (eg. toothbrush, etc.) that could be purchased on an 'honesty pot' basis. Quite a good idea, really.
I think there are huge differences in terms of what is provided from one cottage to the next so it would be helpful if it was clear from the onset. The self-catering villa I stayed in in Crete last month came with a fridge/freezer full of provisions for the week; that's usually unheard of in self-catering circles. _________________ UK Hotels - UK Selfcatering
Luxury Travel - Lake District Apartment |
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paul President


Joined: 15 Oct 2002 Posts: 8314 Location: UK 11706 ants
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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Thinking further, maybe an FAQ would be helpful. I have been involved in a self-catering business before and you always used to get the same questions recurring again and again.
eg. what time do you have to vacate the cottage on the day of departure? when is the balance due? what time can you arrive at the beginning of your stay? can you arrange for flowers/Champagne to be in the cottage on arrival? etc. _________________ UK Hotels - UK Selfcatering
Luxury Travel - Lake District Apartment |
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gowriter Secretary

Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 13 Location: USA 18 ants
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Techboy Executive PA

Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 54 Location: Milton Keynes, England 59 ants
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Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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Average temperature and rainfall throughout the year (if I'm an American booking a place in England a few months in advance)? |
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Techboy Executive PA

Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 54 Location: Milton Keynes, England 59 ants
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Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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Links to sites such as Eventful, BriteKite, etc. |
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paul President


Joined: 15 Oct 2002 Posts: 8314 Location: UK 11706 ants
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Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:11 pm Post subject: |
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gowriter wrote: | Price.
I'll be honest. I look at prices first and then sort them from cheapest to most expensive. |
That was covered by 'rates' in my initial list. You imply that you base your holidays purely on price but many people look for other things in a holiday besides just cost.
Techboy wrote: | Average temperature and rainfall throughout the year (if I'm an American booking a place in England a few months in advance)? |
Good point. Weather forecast alone is not enough as it's only giving short term weather info (useful to those who are just about to stay), rather than info for the entire year (useful to those who are considering making a booking).
Techboy wrote: | Links to sites such as Eventful, BriteKite, etc. |
Rather than linking to eventful, I'd sooner provide events from within my own site, covered by 'events in local area' in the list in the original post.
BriteKite I've not heard of and can't seem to find... can you tell me more?
Thanks. _________________ UK Hotels - UK Selfcatering
Luxury Travel - Lake District Apartment |
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Techboy Executive PA

Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 54 Location: Milton Keynes, England 59 ants
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Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry I got the spelling wrong, they do actually spell it correctly: brightkite.com
See brightkite.com/learn_more |
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paul President


Joined: 15 Oct 2002 Posts: 8314 Location: UK 11706 ants
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Techboy Executive PA

Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 54 Location: Milton Keynes, England 59 ants
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Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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It has some activity in Milton Keynes, more in London. I guess it's just not that popular yet. |
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Kay President


Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Posts: 3079 Location: Mostly SE Asia 4173 ants
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Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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Paul, you gave me an idea for a Not Delia blog posting and I got so into the subject that I had to make two postings out of it.
I would accept that I'm probably atypical in how and what I cook, but my postings might give you some ideas. _________________ http://britishexpat.com |
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Techboy Executive PA

Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 54 Location: Milton Keynes, England 59 ants
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Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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I'll send you an invoice for my consultancy
I look forward to reading the posts! |
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paul President


Joined: 15 Oct 2002 Posts: 8314 Location: UK 11706 ants
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Techboy Executive PA

Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 54 Location: Milton Keynes, England 59 ants
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Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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lol, oh yeah. Too confusing  |
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