Lay My Hat

Hi Dave, yes I tried to set up a local version but gave up! I think the problem was that my geek OH did it (thinking it was simple) and set it up with a system which turned out to be incompatible with my webhost. So that's worth looking out for. I've ended up doing everything live which is not ideal...

Hi Dave, The way I prevented the main page being clickable was to use a PlugIn called "Page Links To" (I'm assuming you're using Wordpress?) Once you've activated that Plug-in, when you edit the page, a "Page Links To" box appears at the bottom of the page. It gives you the optio...

Sorry, just to clarify on the urls, going into Settings - Permalinks will change the default for new ones. To change the urls for existing pages, you need to edit the actual page. I'm sure your other half will work it out! I've also noticed something which I struggled with on my website. Where you h...

Well done to your better half! This is a really nice site - very clear and informative and the properties look very nice. Just a few minor thoughts on a first look - Do you have a sunnier photo for the main photo on the homepage? I got a lovely bright sunflower image in the header and then the prope...

Hi Starcana, yes, if they hadn't done the loony stuff with bedrooms, they would have worked well for us too, although the bookings for the peak months could have been better. I think for our one bedroom places, the "school holiday uplift" was too much and there wasn't the flexibilty to mod...

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all this information! It's really helping. Sykes have agreed to be non-exclusive and my plan was to build up in parallel with them until I don't need to rely on them any more. I've been honest with them about this and they were fine. Mandy, it's good to know that you'...

Thanks Linda, I really appreciate you looking at the website. There are still a few things raised by others that I need to address, but some urgent stuff came up (as it does!)

Thanks again!
Roz

Thanks very much, that Quality Standards document is very interesting, and makes perfect sense to me. I'd be happy if ECC followed that! To be honest, even if I could persuade ECC to change their minds on this, I think I have had it with a company that makes this kind of decision. I've already had t...

Hmmm, more food for thought. I don't want to be part of a bargain basement outfit. Occupancy is not my main measure - I look at profit vs work involved! I'd prefer to try to go high quality/ more expensive. Maybe I just go it alone? But the properties round here that are booked direct with the owner...

Thanks everyone, that's really interesting. I wonder what the magic is that seems to allow ECC to charge so much?! We do get quite a few people from the south given our location, and they do tend to be well off. They also tend to be very nice people and leave the cottages clean! Staying with ECC doe...

I wonder if anyone can offer me advice on this... We have been with English Country Cottages reasonably happily for the last year, but are now being driven away from them primarily because they have reclassified our cottages as having no bedrooms! I'm worried about our bookings dropping off a cliff ...

Thanks very much dizza2560, I really appreciate you taking the time to look at it. I'm not really a techie either and did it all on Wordpress which does a lot of it for you. I'm not sure if I can change the background colour but I'll look at it. I'm sure it must be possible. It would be great if you...

Thanks Newtimber, very helpful. I'm on to it!
Roz

Hi, I am in the process of escaping from Hoseasons and have been working on my own website www.pendletoncottage.co.uk It is still work in progress but it would be great to get some initial comments. I have been inspired by some of your wonderful websites and found reading other reviews very helpful....

Yes, indeed, Hoseasons have really done a number on us recently! First they removed our cottages from their "Peak District" category, despite leaving others in that category that are not in the National Park. (We are not in the National Park but are definitely in the Peak District.) Eventu...