Vacation Rental Owners Blog

---

How Social Media Impacts Your Vacation Rental’s Search Rank Posted: 30 Jul 2013 09:00 AM PDT We’ve talked about making your vacation rental website more search engine friendly, so it shows up when people are looking for a vacation rental in your neighborhood. Adding great content, using relevant keywords, and ensuring your information is up-to-date in local directories are all factors that can help improve where your property will show up in search results. However, a recent review by search engine optimization experts Searchmetrics shows that — while these elements matter — they don’t top the list of things search engines look for. What does? Social media. Social media a key signal for search “Seven of the ten most important factors in [search engine optimization] ranking now come from social media, ” noted AllTwitter in their analysis of the Searchmetrics report, Ranking Factors – Rank Correlation 2013. What specific factors made the Top Ten list? Google +1 Facebook shares Number of backlinks Facebook total Facebook comments Facebook likes Pinterest Tweets % of backlinks rel=nofollow Ø SEO-visibility of backlinking URL While backlinks — links to your website from other sites — also make the list, it’s pretty clear that social channels can tip the balance. “Websites that rank in the top positions on Google usually have a large number of social signals. In other words: well-ranked URLs have many shares, likes, comments, plus ones and tweets,” Searchmetrics wrote in the report. That doesn’t mean a lot of likes and tweets will rocket you to the top spot in search results but, as Searchmetrics observed, “the correlation of social metrics with better rankings is impressively high.” What this means for your marketing strategy As highlighted in our “10 Minute Marketing” presentation at the HomeAway summit, we understand that when it comes to marketing your vacation rental you need to pick the marketing tactics that give you the biggest bang for your buck and your time. Social networking doesn’t necessarily meet that criteria; it takes an investment of time and energy to see meaningful results. While some owners find it invaluable for building relationships and providing customer service, others feel the time invested doesn’t bring them close enough to the results they need: more bookings. Prioritize the channels that bring you the results you’re looking for! If you are currently using social channels, or looking for ways to expand your marketing efforts, this report can help you prioritize your efforts. Here are three activities to consider: Create useful content This Top Ten list isn’t actually a call for you to create your own accounts on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest and Twitter. It does, however, indicate that having other people share and talk about your content via these different social networks makes a difference. So, give people something to talk about! Useful content doesn’t need to “go viral” and reach the masses, it just needs to be interesting and relevant to people in your community, or your past and potential guests. Create a Facebook Page Facebook shares, comments and likes all made the Top Ten list, with the sum of all the different Facebook-related factors ranked at #4. If you aren’t marketing your property on Facebook already, it’s one of the more commonly-used networks by vacation rental owners: You can connect with past guests and their friends, share photos, provide updates, and — of course — link people back to important information on your website. Keep an eye on Google+ There it is, sitting in the #1 spot: The increasingly influential social network you may never have heard of. Google+ is Google’s social network, and the “+1″ feature that’s considered the leading factor for search engine ranking allows people to share and give the “thumbs up” to content they enjoy — Google’s version of the Facebook “Like” button. “If the current percentage growth rates for Facebook Shares and Google plus ones remain constant, Google+ will overtake Facebook in terms of social sharing at the beginning of the year 2016,” Searchmetrics forecast. Definitely a marketing channel to keep on your radar. Have you made any changes to your marketing to give your website a boost in search results? Please tell us what worked — or what didn’t — in the comments below!

You are subscribed to email updates from Vacation Rental Owners Blog | To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Vacation Rental Owners Blog

---

DIY: Why Well-Planned Photos Can Increase Inquiries Posted: 27 Jul 2013 09:00 AM PDT Guest post by Tyann Marcink Can just the angle or the way you frame a listing photo for your vacation rental property really make that big of a difference? Absolutely. There is a massive difference between just taking a shot and composing a photograph. Let's take a look at an example… Here are two photos of the same swimming pool. Both of these photos give us basic information that a traveler would be interested in: the rental property has access to a swimming pool the pool is a decent size there are chairs to sit in there is a playground nearby the area is fenced for safety However, at which pool would you rather be spending your time? The one in the second photo? Me, too! Why is that? Let's take a look at the composition of the photos and the subconscious psychology that is created. Comparing the two photos Both photos have a beautiful blue sky with puffy, white clouds. Looks like a gorgeous day to hang out at the pool. (Good thing the sky was perfect for these shots, since a dark, dreary sky would not work well to market a property with a swimming pool!) However, that is where the similarities in composition end. People What is the first thing you notice that is different between the two photographs? The people – or the absence of them. Would you like to be at the pool filled with floaties and little kids or the one void of distractions? As a traveler, I would prefer the swimming pool all to myself. I don't want to share it with others, especially if there is a high chance of getting splashed in the face – I greatly dislike being splashed in the face. Water Now look at the water in the swimming pool. One has choppy water – almost as if the wind is blowing, making it seem kind of chilly. I don't know about you, but I am not too keen on being cold when I am at the pool. The second photo has calm water, nearly as smooth as glass. The silkiness just beckons to be stepped into, doesn’t it? I bet the water is warm, even. Yep, I can imagine dipping my toes into the water right now. Accessories One more observation: how about the chairs? I guess we need to hop the fence before we can relax by the pool in the first photo. Fences are a must for safety, but visually, the fence creates a barrier between the traveler and the pool. Check out the second photo again. The chair is right at your fingertips. There is no barrier between you and relaxation for the afternoon. The chair is set up perfectly for you to step right into the scene and put your feet up. Bring your guests poolside The same swimming pool, two different views: one beckons, the other is just there. Why is it important to relay more information about your vacation rental property than just the bare facts? Because you are selling something. You are selling time – vacation time to be exact. Travelers are looking for a spectacular vacation, and they are searching for a property to fulfill their needs. You can show guests that your property is the ideal choice simply through the way you create the photographs you use to market your vacation rental property. Set the scene, enticing them to step into the photo to getaway. Corona beer executes this concept perfectly with their commercials at the beach: eye level, a couple just in front of you with their feet in the water, watching the world go by as waves crash against the beach. You can almost feel the sand under your toes, which is exactly what Corona wants: you can imagine yourself there, experiencing the relaxation – Corona in hand. Inspire guests to desire your property The photographs of your vacation rental property need to create that same type of draw if you want prospective guests to not only choose your property, but also to desire your property. When a traveler desires your property, they are willing to spend more money or to adjust their vacation plans just to make it possible to stay at your property. They will call you. As more and more vacation property owners join the rental business, the marketing aspect becomes ever more important. Photographs are the first thing a potential guest will see when searching for a vacation rental, thus making it imperative that your listing photos aren’t just good, but spectacular.   Tyann Marcink is a photographer in the St. Louis area. She and her husband Mike own two vacation rental homes in Branson, Missouri, and have hosted more than 3,000 guests in the past six years. Check out her eBook Create Killer Vacation Rental Property Photos – a How-To for Owners with Key Step-by-Step Instructions today (also available on Amazon, and Smashwords). The book reveals the hidden secrets, the ancient myths, and the rock solid truths about vacation rental photography and how you can achieve the mysterious and elusive photos for yourself.

You are subscribed to email updates from Vacation Rental Owners Blog | To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Just Spotted

---

D23 Expo Posted: 01 Jun 2013 11:19 PM PDT August 9th – August 11th, 2013,  D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will be literally taking over Anaheim. As in previous Expos, D23 Expo 2013 will showcase all of the latest “stars” in the Disney universe, including the cast of Phineas and Ferb, Disney and Pixar Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter, Haverys Seatbeltbag Collection founders and designers Dana and Melanie Harvey, Live Well Networks stars Joey Fatone, Ali Vincent & Ryan Scott, the cast of Shake it Up, voices of the Disney Parks, character meet & greets, and so much more. As well as featuring the Disney Legends Awards-an event that pays tribute to the talented men and women who have made amazing contributions to the Disney legacy; the 12,000 square-foot Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit featuring costumes, props, and set pieces from Disney's rich history; an inaugural costume contest, a special 3D screening of Disney’s Planes, plus amazing live events, celebrity appearances, panels and presentations, sneak peeks, a runDisney D2.3 Fun Run, and unique experiences that celebrate the past, present, and future of Disney. For the entire D23 schedule go HERE. And we haven’t even talked about the D23 shopping opportunities yet… Silent auctions featuring unique artifacts, artwork, exerience, props and more. The Dream Store which will be filled with D23 Expo-themed official merchandise and other specialty items. The Disney Store a 1,800-square-foot Disney Store retail space will be packed with the latest D23 Expo merchandise and an array of products not yet available to the public. Disney Pop-up Shops where Sephora Pro artists and manicurists will give attendees the royal treatment with products from the Disney Ariel Collection by Sephora. & Mickey’s of Glendale, , an outlet of Walt Disney Imagineering's employee-only store, to shop for unique souvenirs and collectibles and Walt Disney Imagineering merchandise not available anywhere else. D23 in a Nutshell The D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing attendees with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, and theme parks. When: Friday, August 9th – Sunday, August 12th, 2013 Where: Anaheim Convention Center Tickets: www.D23expo.com For the latest D23 Expo 2013 news, visitwww.D23expo.com. To be part of the D23 Expo conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 and tag your tweets with #D23Expo.

LEGO Castle Adventure at Discovery Science Center Posted: 01 May 2013 08:29 AM PDT Hear ye, hear ye, calling builders of all ages! LEGO® Castle Adventure opens May 25, 2013 at Taco Bell Discovery Science Center (DSC). In LEGO Castle Adventure, children are transported to a LEGO® kingdom where they too can become master castle builders, using one of the greatest materials of all time – LEGO bricks! "LEGO Castle Adventure gives DSC visitors the opportunity to test their planning and constructing skills," said Joe Adams, president of Discovery Science Center. "This unique exhibit created by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and LEGO Systems, Inc. is another great opportunity for children and families to learn through play with one of the most-loved toys of all time." Visitors to LEGO Castle Adventure will be immersed in castle life through experiences designed specifically for children and families. Enter the LEGO kingdom's royal castle to sit in their majesties' thrones and view the royal family's portrait – made out of LEGO bricks – and LEGO suit of armor. View the king's secret treasure room filled with LEGO jewels. Even the youngest of builders will enjoy putting together their own LEGO castle creation. LEGO models of real-world castles Blarney, Arundel, and Neuschwanstein offer insights about how castles were planned and built. Age-appropriate build areas for Apprentice Builders (toddlers), Journeymen Builders (ages 3-6), and Master Builders (ages 7 and older) allow children to use their newfound knowledge to create their own unique structures. After visiting the throne room, visitors can tour the castle grounds and learn about day-to-day castle life. Children and families are able to dress up as princes, princesses, knights or dragons; build a LEGO brick topiary; or climb a lookout tower. Children are invited to don suspender-style horses to play in a safe "jousting field" with foam-rubber lances and soft targets set up on the field. And, of course, no trip to a castle would be complete without meeting the resident LEGO dragon, but don't worry, she doesn't bite! Once visitors have learned what it takes to plan and construct a proper home for the king and queen, they can test out the castle's defenses with what else…a catapult. Using a 3-D computer program and real-world catapult, one can virtually build and test the castle walls and learn through trial and error the most durable way to build the castle's defenses. LEGO® Castle Adventure is open through September 15, 2013, at Discovery Science Center. The exhibition is included with general admission to the Science Center, which is $14.95 for adults, $12.95 for children and seniors, and is free to children 3 and younger. Before you plan your trip, I'd suggest you check the Discovery Science Center's daily field trip schedule HERE, to help you anticipate when the museum will be less busy.

You are subscribed to email updates from Just Spotted in Orange County To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Vacation Rental Owners Blog

---

Putting Your Vacation Rental On The Map — Literally Posted: 23 Jul 2013 09:00 AM PDT Promoting your vacation rental online boils down to one thing: You want to be found by people who will want to book your place. Listing directories are an important part of marketing plans; having your own website is another. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process that helps make your website as visible as possible in search results on sites like Google, Yahoo and Bing. In previous posts, we've talked about Finding the best keywords for your business, and What to do with those keywords on your website. Local search adds another layer to your SEO efforts; you don't just want your vacation rental to show up, you want it to have top placement when someone searches for properties like yours in your geographic area. While you can do a lot of deep digging to learn the details of local search optimization, there are a few central themes: Confirming your identity and context within the community Verifying that the information available for your business is accurate Finding ways to flag that your business is relevant to a particular local community. Your keywords influence this. For example, one basic step is to include your property's location as one of your keywords, then write relevant website content that includes that keyword. However, this is not the only step you should ensure you cover. Are you really who you say you are? Another factor that supports your place in local search results, as explained by local SEO expert David Mihm, is any reference that confirms your business exists in the location you claim. First, verify your business information with top search engines: Google+ Local for Business (Note: This was called Google Places, but is now integrated with Google+ data) Bing Places for Business Yahoo! Local Then, confirm that your information is both accurate and consistent. Sam McRoberts, CEO of Vudu Marketing, told Search Engine Journal that citations — any online references to your business that include name, address and phone number — should always be in the same format. "While Google is pretty smart, it's best to make sure that your local citation efforts match your local listing as closely as possible. Don't abbreviate in one and not the other (St. vs Street, (800) vs 1-800, etc.)," he advised. Confirm your listing with other directories Once you've carefully confirmed your information with search engines, you should also verify your information with other business directories. "[Search engines] pull in business information from a variety of other sources," Mihm explained on the GetListed.org blog. "All three local search engines do the best they can to match the data that comes in from these other sources with what they have in their own index, but sometimes that doesn’t happen properly," he wrote. Mihm's post on local search data providers lists several databases you should check to confirm your vacation rental information is both listed and accurate — including YellowPages.com. If you’ve wondered whether a listing in the Yellow Pages is still worth it, a new survey says yes: the online and print versions of the Yellow Pages ranked just slightly behind the Internet as a local information resource. Don't forget reviews Just as with vacation rental listing directories, reviews matter for local search results. While Vudu Marketing's McRoberts notes that Google search seems to give Google+ Local reviews a bit more weight, he says reviews from other sites matter, too — particularly if they're positive. While you're already directing reviews to other sites, watch for opportunities to ask people to leave a review on your Google+ Local listing. Something to be aware of: Leaving a review requires a Google+ account, something your guests may or may not be familiar with. Why mapping matters Some vacation rental owners avoid mapping their properties for a variety of reasons, like privacy or security. These concerns are valid, and you need to do what you're comfortable with — but mapping your property is worth considering. Listing directory FlipKey, for example, shared that "properties mapped to their actual location are booked 45% more frequently" — proof that search engines aren’t the only ones who want to confirm what your marketing promises. Additional information Search engine optimization can get very granular; this article's intent is to provide a starting point. To learn more SEO, here are a few more detailed resources. The Definitive Guide to Local SEO, from Search Engine Journal The 9 Most Important Local SEO Elements For A Site, from DashBurst 40 Important Local Search Questions Answered, from Moz photo credit: Lars Plougmann

You are subscribed to email updates from Vacation Rental Owners Blog | To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Vacation Rental Owners Blog

---

Vacation Rental Budgets: Advice From Owners Posted: 20 Jul 2013 09:00 AM PDT Vacation rentals have standard costs, which vary depending on your property: Property-related expenses, like mortgage payments, insurance, taxes, or condo fees Utility costs, like electricity, phone, cable, Internet and water Ongoing maintenance, like cleaning services or a property manager. Once you have your more set costs sorted, how do you budget for the rest? A lot of owners don’t have a strict budget for their vacation rental, but we connected with three owners to find out what they prioritized — and how — as they got their rental business up and running. Invest in marketing and photography “I really didn’t have a firm budget in mind when I started,” said Robert Schaffhauser of his unit in The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach in Maui, Hawaii. “I was willing to invest in promotion (say, a thousand dollars or so) while I learned the ropes.” As he learned, Schaffhauser kept tabs on the value received for his marketing dollars. For example, search engine optimization was an expensive endeavor in the hot Maui marketplace, and he learned that the gains weren’t lasting. Money spent on listing sites, however, proved to be worth every penny. “I’ve found that the ‘platinum-type option’ pays,” he says, noting that VRBO and HomeAway have been strongest for him. Another thing worth investing in? Spectacular photos of your property. When Schaffhauser recently replaced his original photos with images taken by a professional photographer, the ratio of bookings to inquiries took off. “My booking success rate has actually shifted," he explained. "The number of inquiries I receive has gone up since I posted the new photos, and I'm booking a higher percentage of those inquiries than I was before.” “Now,” he added, “I just need to figure out how to close even more of those inquiries!” Take advantage of the seasons in your area When first establishing Modern Lake Tahoe, a house near Tahoe City, California, Lynn Berardo didn’t have a specific budget — but she did spend carefully. “I shopped at discount stores…for quality household items at discounted prices.” After renting her vacation home for more than 10 years through an agency, Berardo decided to manage the property on her own a few years ago. Her first season taught her about the cycles of the vacation rental business — and how important it is for owners to take advantage of it. “There are distinct seasons in the rental business. [I realized that] I needed to concentrate my efforts according to this cycles, and budget time and money to do certain tasks in shoulder seasons.” Those shoulder seasons, she notes, are a perfect time to do maintenance, repairs and any upgrades you’ve flagged to keep your rental in tip-top shape. “I believe in most cases when guests arrive to a clean well-organized home they will make an attempt to keep it that way and hence I protect my property by keeping it in good shape.” Know what you want — and hire a local property manager “I worked by the seat of my pants!” Pat Luftman says of the two busy months she had between purchasing and opening Herons View, a townhome at Mallard Lakes in Fenwick Island, Delaware. Despite being new to running a vacation rental, Luftman was prepared. “We had vacationed in the Mallard Lakes community every year for 14 years; I had 14 different townhomes to compare, and a lot of experience knowing what we paid for and what we got.” When it comes to the "vacation rental continuum", Luftman says you need to know where your property falls: Is it high end with new and expensive furnishings, or does its character come from flea market and yard sale treasures? “For our location and community, I am exactly where I want to be for decorating our comfy, cozy 'home away from home at the beach' and I’ve chosen our furnishings to reflect that feeling.” Her best investment, however, has been a good property manager. “The fridge gave out two months after we started,” she explained, noting that they had guests at the time — who were, luckily, friends. “It was a challenge to buy a new fridge and arrange purchase and delivery without disrupting our guests," said Luftman, who lives hours away from her property. "[I learned that] it’s of utmost importance to have a property manager nearby that you can trust and rely on." What has experience taught you about budgeting and planning for your rental property? We’d love to hear your top tips in the comments below. photo credit: Tax Credits

You are subscribed to email updates from Vacation Rental Owners Blog | To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Just Spotted

---

Neon Splash Dash Giveaway Posted: 18 Jul 2013 02:46 PM PDT Lace up your running shoes, the Neon Splash Dash is coming to town! What is the Neon Splash Dash? It’s the wildest & brightest night time running event you've ever seen. You'll run (or maybe dance?) through different “Glow Zones,” where you’ll be sprayed with a different color of Super Intense U.V. Glow Water. All while, the music is blasting, making sure to keep the energy going! Then you’ll light you up again as you cross the finish line into a HUGE After Glow Party filled with jammin' music, tons of blacklights, performers and thousands of runners sprayed with glow water- all dancing the night away! Neon Splash Dash 8pm, Saturday, July 27th, 2013 in Pomona, CA The cost is $60/ participant & you can register HERE. But, one lucky reader can win an entry to the Neon Splash Dash. How awesome is that?! Ready to enter? I’m giving you 6 different ways to enter. Luckily, Rafflecopter makes it easy-peasy to enter. But don't dawdle, this giveaway closes on Tuesday, july 23td at 11:59pm EST. Confused about how to enter a giveaway using Rafflecopter? Here's a video on their site explaining how to use Rafflecopter to enter giveaway. a Rafflecopter giveaway nitty-gritty details: 1. No purchase necessary. 2. Giveaway ends 7/23/13 at 11:59pm EST. 3. Only US residents can enter. 4. Winner will be chosen via random.org. 5. Winner will be contacted via email. winner has 48 hours to respond with mailing address or another winner will be chosen. 6. Void where prohibited by law. 7. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. i hereby release Facebook of any liability. If you have any additional questions – feel free to email me at accordingtokelly@gmail.com Disclaimer: I was provided a free race entry, & an entry to giveaway, to the Neon Splash Dash in exchange for this post. All opinions are mine, photographs & video provided by the Neon Splash Dash.

You are subscribed to email updates from Just Spotted in Orange County To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Vacation Rental Owners Blog

---

How Accessible Does Your Vacation Rental Need To Be? Posted: 16 Jul 2013 09:00 AM PDT The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted in 1990, federally mandates that public buildings and workplaces must be accessible to persons with disabilities. It applies to hotels, resorts, campgrounds and public parks — but does it apply to vacation rentals? The short answer is usually "No", but there are a few exceptions. Your property should be ADA compliant if… Vacation rentals are generally considered private property and therefore exempt from regulations required of commercial properties. However, here are a few exceptions or circumstances you should be aware of: It has common areas: The ADA does apply to common areas that might be shared by your vacation rental property, such as rental offices, parking lots and public restrooms. Any area that isn't for the exclusive use of your tenants or their guests is a public area and therefore requires compliance. It's impacted by local regulations: Stay on top of local acts and ordinances that apply to your vacation rental. In some instances, local governments and neighborhood associations have worked to re-classify vacation rentals for "commercial" or "limited commercial" use.  With such an unlikely (if not unprecedented) re-classification, you would then be obligated to meet ADA standards. Your marketing says you are: If you advertise anything as handicapped accessible, it must meet ADA standards. In such a case, you should find out precisely what is necessary for compliance (i.e. slope of a ramp to your front door or the height and placement of grip bars in the bathroom). While it may seem daunting, ADA compliance sometimes requires just a slight change or addition. Read through the regulations to see what applies to your rental. Two things to know if you need to meet ADA standards If you think your circumstance might require ADA accommodation, here are two important things to keep in mind: 1) There is no "grandfather clause" exempting older facilities If the property in question was constructed prior to 1990, the owner is still mandated to make changes that are "readily achievable." This means that a demonstrable effort to comply must be evident, though not to the extent that it is hugely impracticable or creates a financial hardship. 2) New properties are not exempt New construction or modifications made after 1990 must be fully compliant. The information above is intended for informational purposes only; it is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. If you need legal advice, you should consult a licensed attorney in your area. photo credit: Jonathan Kos-Reed

You are subscribed to email updates from Vacation Rental Owners Blog | To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Vacation Rental Owners Blog

---

Making Your Vacation Rental Website Search Engine Friendly Posted: 13 Jul 2013 09:00 AM PDT More than 7 in 10 travelers do their travel planning online according to Google, and if someone is looking for a vacation rental in your neighborhood, you want your property to show up at the top of the list. Getting to page one of search results takes ongoing, dedicated work — and in travel hotspots, competition for those top places is fierce. Some of this work, called search engine optimization (SEO), is out of your hands. For example, attracting links from reputable websites indicates to search engines that your website is trustworthy, too; getting those links takes time and effort, with no guarantee that they will ever come. Improving your search results doesn’t exclusively rely on other people, however. There are things you can do to make your website more search engine friendly — called on-page optimization — that are straightforward and completely within your control. Starting with keywords Last fall, we shared a primer on keyword research for your vacation rental that introduced you to Broad keywords: Top-level keywords like "vacation rental" or "vacation rental home". Because they're so broad, there are literally millions of websites to compete with in these search results. Long-tail keywords: More specific to your particular property, like "Smoky Mountain cabin rental" or "Utah ski country vacation rental". Because they're more specific, the pool of websites you're competing with is smaller. Once you have a short list of targeted keywords (we recommend choosing 10 medium-competition keywords to start with) you can start optimizing your website for them. On-Page Optimization On-page optimization is anything you can do within your own website to improve your search engine rank. Create good content SEO changes all the time, but good content lasts forever! If you provide information that's valuable to real humans, it will remain valuable regardless of any algorithm a search engine might tweak. That's why we talk a lot about things like creating a local guide, and keeping your website up-to-date about the things that make your property and community great. Good content is an investment, but it does pay off. Learn about the geeky details Once you have good content, there are things you can do from a slightly more technical point of view that will more easily attract the computers that do all the legwork for search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo. Online marketing company Moz (which used to be called SEOmoz) offers this list of things to pay attention to: The title tag, or the actual title you give your content. For example, calling a post "Making your vacation rental website search engine friendly" versus "Will anybody ever find you?" The URL. Some systems will create a URL using your title, so if you use your keywords well in your title, your URL will be a good fit, too. Most systems will also let you edit the URL on your own. Your content. While you don't want your content to seem awkward with too much repetition, including your keywords occasionally within the content is important. Also, think of different synonyms you can use so you're not always using the same words; using the same keyword too many times on one page, what's called keyword density, is seen by search engines as "spammy". Add alt text for any images. Alt text is a written description of any images you use. If your image doesn’t load, for example, the alt text will show up in its place. Plus, people who are seeing impaired use screen reading software that will read the alt text as part of its scan. Alt text is particularly important if you’ve used an image that contains important information. Use "breadcrumbs" in your website design (see images for an example from MyVR). As people go through your website, breadcrumbs show where they are and link back to previous sections. This makes it easier for people to keep track of where they are on your site, and it also makes it easier for search engine crawlers to navigate. What to avoid While they might look cool, keep in mind that things like JavaScript, Macromedia Flash and dynamic HTML aren’t visible to search engines. Avoiding them will also be a bit easier on your marketing budget! Have you tried raising your rank in search results? Have your efforts been hit or miss? Tell us about it in the comments below.

You are subscribed to email updates from Vacation Rental Owners Blog | To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610

Vacation Rental Owners Blog

---

Why Every Vacation Rental Owner Needs A Website [video] Posted: 09 Jul 2013 09:00 AM PDT Having a quality website for your vacation rental property is one of the most important things you can do to maximize the potential for your rental business. Given how easy and inexpensive a website is to launch, not having your own web presence is one of the biggest mistakes we think owners can make. Here are four simple ways having your own website can help you. 1) Establishes Trust and Credibility Having your own website helps establish trust and credibility – something that's particularly important in the vacation rental industry. People can be naturally distrusting of our industry because they're worried about getting caught by fraud or scams. Anything you can do to ease the worries of a potential customer and add to your legitimacy will help your business. 2) Shows a High Degree of Professionalism The second is that having a website shows a much higher degree of professionalism. When I see that a small local business has its own website – particularly a nice one – it makes a great first impression. I'll usually assume that they have their act together in other areas, like the quality of their product or service, their responsiveness, etc. Obviously there are other factors involved in making a final decision, but like the saying goes: you only get one chance to make a first impression. 3) Better Showcase Your Home (and Better Convert!) Third, a website allows you to better showcase your home the way you want, and helps you convert inquiries better. Let's face it: the most popular places to advertise a vacation rental – listings sites – are crowded and competitive. Having your own website can help you differentiate your home, so it stands out and is more memorable. My website is about my home – and only my home – and I use it to tell my home's story. I can have as many photos as I want and they can be as large as I want. I can highlight what is special about my home and provide local recommendations. 4) Helps You Generate More Inquiries Your website is the hub of all your marketing activities. Use online advertising to direct people to your site. Choosing a memorable domain name that makes it easier for people to send word-of-mouth referrals your way. My address is SonomaSquareCottage.com and I get a lot of referrals by word-of-mouth because it's easy to remember and my friends know that's my web address. Plus, I include my link everywhere I advertise my property: business cards, email signature, local advertising, even on the major listing sites. There's no better way to better fuel referrals and repeat business than having your own website! Whether it's providing a sense of credibility and trust, conveying your professionalism, better showcasing your home to renters, or making it easier for people to find your home, having your own website will help you get more bookings. Mine has helped me to generate more inquiries and to do a better job of converting the inquiries I was already getting.

You are subscribed to email updates from Vacation Rental Owners Blog | To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610