Star ratings to end? How would it affect your business?

Star ratings to end? How would it affect your business?

The Government is developing a new tourism strategy and one of the main items on the agenda is a proposal to scrap star ratings for hotels and bed and breakfasts and replace it with online customer reviews.

Whilst a final decision hasn’t been taken on this, it might be as well to be prepared in case it does happen.

Here are a few questions you might like to think about:

* Do you have a way of getting feedback to find out what people like and dislike about your establishment?

* Are you always looking for ways to improve your guests’ experience?

* How would dropping the star system affect the way you market your establishment?

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

As for marketing, the perceived wisdom in this online age is what’s called a “multi-channel approach”. More down-to-earth people would probably prefer the old adage “don’t put all your eggs in one basket”.

So, yes, you need to advertise – in brochures and online. But you can only put so much information in an advert. You also need an attractive website with plenty of pictures, lots of information about facilities and the neighbourhood, and it needs to be easy to navigate for people of all abilities. It’s also a good idea to include some of your own genuine feedback.

If the star rating goes, it will be even more important that you give people an accurate idea of what they can expect.

Read more here:

www.independent.co.uk

The importance of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO

While many high street businesses and traditional outlets have fallen on hard times, the internet has seen substantial growth in search traffic. The tough economic climate has changed the way people shop, with customers using search engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo to search around and compare options to find greater value for their limited money. The wealth of information available online makes it the ideal place to look, but with all that competition, how do you get yourself noticed?

Your website is the first impression of your business

For many tourism businesses, their website is the first impression for potential customers. It’s important that it is informative, attractive and highlights the major points that really sell your business to the customer, but if your website can’t be found in the search engines you’re not even in the running.

There are various techniques that can be used to help move you closer to the top of the search results. One way of helping boost a website’s standing is by installing weblinks with other local tourism businesses – preferably not those in direct competition. So a B&B might arrange reciprocal links with a local garden centre and a restaurant – a bit of mutual back scratching.

If you have a “links” page on your website, it is important that you periodically check that the links are all working – search engines don’t like broken links.

If you’d like help with your website, printed material or social media, please call Richard on 01347 821 928.