World Blog May Archive

Name of your website? (NOT url, http://etc)

Decorating Vacation Property for Profit

Your name?

Andrea

Your Location (city, etc)

West Byfleet, Surrey, England

When did you start your website and why?

Just a few weeks ago. It is part hobby and part possible future business venture.

Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc

I have owned and rented out several vacation properties in the past and they have always been highly praised as having eye-catching decor that has appealed to renters happy to pay top dollar price to stay there. The site is a collection of ideas that I have used over the years which will help vacation property owners get the maximum profit from their property with the minimum time, effort and money.

What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?

I have no previous knowledge of HTML and I find that side of things very difficult. That and finding enough time to work on it.

What has been the easist past of operating your website?

I find the writing quite easy as I am writing about something I find interesting so it is not a chore.

What was your biggest mistake?

I haven't made it yet!

Who maintains your website and why?

There is just me.

What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

It is a minefield for those of us who know little about it. I believe that if you write a good and interesting site for the benefit of readers it will eventually be noticed. Just keep going a page at a time...

What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?

They are very hard on you when you start out. I think my site is wonderful but it is hard if no-one knows it is there.

What is your website address?

Decorating Vacation Property for Profit

Alicante Escapade Vacation Rental Condominium Interview

Name of your website? (NOT url, http://etc)

Alicante Escapade Vacation Rental Condominium

Your name?

Lydie Baillie

Your Location (city, etc)

We are located in Alicante on the Costa Blanca Mediterranean southern coast of Spain.

When did you start your website and why?

The website is new. It started in April This website was started to . promote our vacation rental condominium here. Through it we hope to provide English, French and Spanish-speaking visitors with lodging while they visit the Alicante region.

Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc

The website was created to provide exposure for the vacation rental by providing information about the rental, it's amenities, local services and sightsseing, activities. It also has a map of the area, an availibilty calendar and a contact form to get in touch and make reservations. Basically, the condominium was acquired with the thought of renting as a vacation rental year-round. The Mediterranean climate is exceptionally good so tourists holiday here any time of the year. We count on renting around 20 weeks a year. The idea is to cover expenses and get some regular income from the rental.

What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?

I guess the most challenging part of creating and running the website is the multilingual aspect. It really entails creating three different websites. Even though the basic format is the same the content is localized in French, English and Castllian Spanish. Once online, there's the ongoing challenge remains to respond and care for enquirers and customers each in their own language, whether it be by email, on the phone, or in person at their arrival and throught their stay.

Who maintains your website and why?

I maintain the website since I have web design and webmaster experience. I maintain other websites of my own in an entirely different theme.

What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?

Ecommece and the Internet are already a full-fledged part of business promotion. It can be just an advertising channel to offline clients or be used as an online distribution channel too. Ecommerce has exploded in the past 5 years, and still has alot of potential growth in the next ten years. Here in Spain, that growth is exponential as more and more household get connected to broadband internet. As long as Internet remains free and self regulated it has a bright future. Government regulation is probably th biggest challenge facing Internet in the near future.

What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

I use Search Engine Optimization (SEO)on all my websites. basically, if done properly, it should put your website amongst other similar sites in search results.

What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?

Search engines have helped my website get found by websurfers all over the world. With them it would be next to impossible to find what your looking for. the information on the Net is so vast.

What method has been most successful for promoting your website?

The most effective promotion tools have been SEO and manual search engine and theme directory insertion.

What method has been least successful for promoting your website?

The most ineffective by far has been PPC (Pay Per Click) which I have used alot in the past to promote new sites. I've used services such as Google Adwords, Overture, Knoodle and shopping compartion sites like bizrate shopzilla and others. I've found the return on investment is very low and there is little way to be sure who is clicking away your advertising budget.

What is your website address?

Alicante Escapade Vacation Rental Condominium