Every innkeeper understands the importance of curb appeal and how it can attract potential guests to a bed and breakfast. Maintaining that curb appeal often means hours of pruning, painting, weeding, mowing and planting, paying attention to every minute detail.

Did you realize that creating the most attractive first impression of your business extends far beyond your front porch?

How is your website’s “curb appeal”?

Your inn’s website is your open house. “This is your face, your invitation to the world,” said Fred Pierce, president and co-owner of BnBWebsites.com. “If it’s a nice, fancy invitation, you are more likely to go. If it’s an ugly invitation, you’re not, unless you know them.”

Think of the favorite websites or blogs you frequent for your own enjoyment. Why do you return to those sites time and time again? Likely it is because of quality content, eye-catching images, appealing and colorful design and maybe even some incentives to return (eg… discounts, recipes, freebies or giveaways). Keeping those favorite sites in mind, take a fresh look at your inn’s online presence.

Unsure if your website is helping drive traffic to your inn, or worried it might be driving people away? Seek out honest opinions. Just as you would want honest feedback about a flaw in one of your rooms, you need to be open to an unbiased assessment of your website. Continue reading »