How's it going so far??
we've lots and lots of snow today ....superb for walking the dogs and building the bonhomme neige...and when the sunshines it's glorious...but I'm being selfish for all the folk having to work in it!
I hear Algarve is not so much fun either...but UK dreadful so hopefully when they all make their plans for the hols they won't think cold for you guys!
What's the cup for John..winter woollies perhaps?
I hear Algarve is not so much fun either...but UK dreadful so hopefully when they all make their plans for the hols they won't think cold for you guys!
What's the cup for John..winter woollies perhaps?
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- Location: Glenridding, Ullswater Valley, Lake District, UK
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Welcome back, John. Love the big vase in your picture
Christine
www.stybarrowcottage.co.uk
www.troutbeckcottage.co.uk
Christine
www.stybarrowcottage.co.uk
www.troutbeckcottage.co.uk
Oh, this thread has gone abit 'off topic' since the last time I was on line..... I am thinking of Musicmonkey's lack of bookings.
I took a look at your site, the house and location look wonderful, but if you have to wait until Easter to take more photos, I am thinking you are losing valuable time. When I had the first pictures taken of my house, (pre-digital) I was not very happy with the photos, but had to use them. The sky was not very blue, only one window box, the house looked, well, dull. So, just between you and me.....I enhanced the picture by cut and pasting the window box, so suddenly, all the windows had a window box full of flowers, and the sky lost the grey and became a deep blue But it worked!!!!
Also.....goodness, maybe this thread should be transferred to Website Review.....I looked at your tariffs, they were all out of alignment July – September read as £5 (a bargin!)
I have spent all day thinking about your bookings…My gite is my only income and would be desperate by now, if I had only two weeks bookings. I find French Connections brings in the most bookings, with Perfect Places coming in a long way behind. Since the change to FC site, enquires dropped, but I find now that I have a much higher ratio of turning enquiries into bookings.
I took a look at your site, the house and location look wonderful, but if you have to wait until Easter to take more photos, I am thinking you are losing valuable time. When I had the first pictures taken of my house, (pre-digital) I was not very happy with the photos, but had to use them. The sky was not very blue, only one window box, the house looked, well, dull. So, just between you and me.....I enhanced the picture by cut and pasting the window box, so suddenly, all the windows had a window box full of flowers, and the sky lost the grey and became a deep blue But it worked!!!!
Also.....goodness, maybe this thread should be transferred to Website Review.....I looked at your tariffs, they were all out of alignment July – September read as £5 (a bargin!)
I have spent all day thinking about your bookings…My gite is my only income and would be desperate by now, if I had only two weeks bookings. I find French Connections brings in the most bookings, with Perfect Places coming in a long way behind. Since the change to FC site, enquires dropped, but I find now that I have a much higher ratio of turning enquiries into bookings.
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Maisy,
How kind of you to take the trouble to think about my dilemma and not only that but to reply!
I have deliberately avoided putting our own website up for review because we have a long list of jobs to do to get it right (mostly ideas pinched from here) but have taken heed of Tansy's comments in the Visit France entry and am in the process of doing the same thing with the Holiday Rentals entry.
None of the sites we were with last year stood out in terms of bookings but at least with VF you can update your site more easily.
VF are still not responding, not even answering the phone.
How did you do the pics? We do have digital camera and could maybe do what you've done with some of our pics.
How kind of you to take the trouble to think about my dilemma and not only that but to reply!
I have deliberately avoided putting our own website up for review because we have a long list of jobs to do to get it right (mostly ideas pinched from here) but have taken heed of Tansy's comments in the Visit France entry and am in the process of doing the same thing with the Holiday Rentals entry.
None of the sites we were with last year stood out in terms of bookings but at least with VF you can update your site more easily.
VF are still not responding, not even answering the phone.
How did you do the pics? We do have digital camera and could maybe do what you've done with some of our pics.
musicmonkey..you can update easily with holiday-rentals.com - photos changes are free once per year - copy/prices/availability etc as often as you like all for free...you can change your mind twice a day of you want with h-r.com
I'm still looking for another site to compliment h-r.com...I'm in the process of putting on all the free sites now.
But I'm afraid for me it's still h-r.com that is generating all the bookings....so far in excess of 26 weeks booked - only one from VRBO.com - 25 from h-r.com
where is that magic site?
Glad you like the cup Paolo....were the ribbon colours right?
I'm still looking for another site to compliment h-r.com...I'm in the process of putting on all the free sites now.
But I'm afraid for me it's still h-r.com that is generating all the bookings....so far in excess of 26 weeks booked - only one from VRBO.com - 25 from h-r.com
where is that magic site?
Glad you like the cup Paolo....were the ribbon colours right?
Hi Tansy
I can recommend a site called Owners Direct. I have 12 weeks booked for the year so far - 4 from h-r (100% - as I only had four enquiries) 6 from Owners Direct (50%) and 2 word of mouth. One other site I am on French Holiday Homes has generated 14 enquiries but not a single booking - but I have been able to use that site for online payments. So it has been very useful, certainly until I get my own site up and running. I also tried to get on all the free sites, but of the four I am on I think I have had about 3 enquiries - none of which turned into a booking. I find I spend more time updating the availability for the free sites - with no return.
Thomas
I can recommend a site called Owners Direct. I have 12 weeks booked for the year so far - 4 from h-r (100% - as I only had four enquiries) 6 from Owners Direct (50%) and 2 word of mouth. One other site I am on French Holiday Homes has generated 14 enquiries but not a single booking - but I have been able to use that site for online payments. So it has been very useful, certainly until I get my own site up and running. I also tried to get on all the free sites, but of the four I am on I think I have had about 3 enquiries - none of which turned into a booking. I find I spend more time updating the availability for the free sites - with no return.
Thomas
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Yes! I must have confused you . I know that you can update text, etc with HR and, as I said in post above I am in the process of changing the text on HR (having already had a stab at Visit France site) bearing in mind your comments re selling the town of Villedieu les Poeles.musicmonkey..you can update easily with holiday-rentals.com - photos changes are free once per year - copy/prices/availability etc as often as you like all for free...you can change your mind twice a day of you want with h-r.com
I am happier with how the VF entry reads. We are ref no 3896 if you have a spare second to check it out.
Sorry guys for throwing everyone "off topic" with my avitar picture! Just for correctnesses sake, that "cup" is the original Uefa Champions League trophy, and no, my team didn't win it!
I don't think the team I hoped would win it this year, Man Utd, will win it either if last nights match is anything to go by!
I don't think the team I hoped would win it this year, Man Utd, will win it either if last nights match is anything to go by!
Malta – always in the sunshine!
Thanks for that Thomas is the address ownersdirect.com or something like that?...I don't know it at all - an observation - it seems as if it is so off the track re the research Paolo was making re key words...do I hear back to drawing board being mentioned - sincerley hope not!
musicmonkey I will have a look...is yours visitfrance.com property no 3896? Villedieu les Poeles for all you guys that don't know is a delightful stone town that specialises in copperware - mainly famous for it's bell making - it is well known through the world for some of the bells for major important cathedrals etc world wide that have been cast there...I haven't info in front of me so can't quaote which one's - hopefully musicmonKey you can help me out here....my memory
musicmonkey I will have a look...is yours visitfrance.com property no 3896? Villedieu les Poeles for all you guys that don't know is a delightful stone town that specialises in copperware - mainly famous for it's bell making - it is well known through the world for some of the bells for major important cathedrals etc world wide that have been cast there...I haven't info in front of me so can't quaote which one's - hopefully musicmonKey you can help me out here....my memory
www.ownersdirect.co.uk
When I was doing my research into which sites to advertise with ownersdirect were coming up again and again - and quiet near the top. It also has a counter whcih allows you to see how many hits your page has. As I say I have found it very good: 12 enquiries and 6 weeks gone! The only downside that I can see is that it takes a while for the page to be set up, and I believe there is a bit of a delay in the enquiries coming into your email account.
When I was doing my research into which sites to advertise with ownersdirect were coming up again and again - and quiet near the top. It also has a counter whcih allows you to see how many hits your page has. As I say I have found it very good: 12 enquiries and 6 weeks gone! The only downside that I can see is that it takes a while for the page to be set up, and I believe there is a bit of a delay in the enquiries coming into your email account.