Hi Essar,
I'm not convinced how much some of the big listing sites actually help promote the position of your own web site in Google searches. If Google still use pagerank as a factor in deciding search result order (do they?), then many of these links don't count, as the listing site uses the nofollow attribute. This is done so that the listing site does not 'leak' pagerank by linking to your website. Meanwhile the 'reciprocal link' that you have to add does not include the nofollow attribute, and so you do 'leak' your pagerank to them. Not so reciprocal really - i.e. you increase their pagerank, they decrease yours...
Of course the real value of the link to your site is that real people who find the listings sites will follow the links and find you - just don't believe it will help to promote your site in the organic search rankings. You can use a tool like Yahoo Site Explorer (using the Explore URL box at the top of the page) to see which in-links will really help you in the rankings.
Otherwise just do what Google suggest, and add original and useful content to your site (after all you know your area better than most) to help you match what people are looking for.
Cheers
Dave
own website v rental listing site?
-
A little bit of England
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:55 pm
- Location: Almanzora Valley, Southeast Spain
Build your own web site.
Beavering away in the depths of Nottinghamshire, England is a company called Serif. They produce a wonderful WYSIWYG web site building package and even offer hosting. It is as easy to use as a word processor, has more features than you can wave a stick at and still comes at well under £100. You do not need any coding skills whatsoever. There is a lively user forum where you can get help and advice on just about anything from getting started to some extension scripting.
I have been using their software since 1996 and have never yet had cause to regret a purchase from them.
Their web site is http://www.serif.com. The current package is WebPlus X5.
You can get a cut down version (some features disabled, but fully usable) at http://www.freeserifsoftware.com and if you register the free version you normally qualify for "Upgrade pricing" (£30 to £40 off) if you subsequently buy the full package.
Have a look at http://www.alittlebitofengland.es
http://casacarabella.es
http://www.casacelesteretreat.com
http://www.villajanian.com
for just a few instances.
Just to reassure you, I have noting whatsoever to do with Serif (UK) Ltd, except as a long term satisfied customer.
I have been using their software since 1996 and have never yet had cause to regret a purchase from them.
Their web site is http://www.serif.com. The current package is WebPlus X5.
You can get a cut down version (some features disabled, but fully usable) at http://www.freeserifsoftware.com and if you register the free version you normally qualify for "Upgrade pricing" (£30 to £40 off) if you subsequently buy the full package.
Have a look at http://www.alittlebitofengland.es
http://casacarabella.es
http://www.casacelesteretreat.com
http://www.villajanian.com
for just a few instances.
Just to reassure you, I have noting whatsoever to do with Serif (UK) Ltd, except as a long term satisfied customer.
Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. Samuel Langhorne Clemens
Hello All, I'm new to the forum but have been reading through this site for a while and have been very impressed with the friendly nature and helpfulness of the members - so decided to join in!
I have a cottage in North Wales, now in the third year of letting and until last week all bookings/enquiries came through my own website and ebay classified ads.
Last week I signed up to HL, though not sure if that's the best choice given some of the posts on this site. Anyway, too late now, my ad has been on there about a week and so far ...... not a sniff of an enquiry let alone a booking. Perhaps I'm too impatient?
I would certainly never stop using my own website, I like the independence and control of it. I can alter it whenever I want to and can change photos/prices etc instantly.
I used to let a static caravan and that too was done purely from my own site and the odd ebay listing.
Hopefully I'll be adding an apartment in Lanzarote to my website soon, not sure if anyone on LMH is in Lanzarote, but would appreciate any advice from anyone who is.
Ahhh, relief - first post done and dusted, hopefully in the appropriate topic and place.
I have a cottage in North Wales, now in the third year of letting and until last week all bookings/enquiries came through my own website and ebay classified ads.
Last week I signed up to HL, though not sure if that's the best choice given some of the posts on this site. Anyway, too late now, my ad has been on there about a week and so far ...... not a sniff of an enquiry let alone a booking. Perhaps I'm too impatient?
I would certainly never stop using my own website, I like the independence and control of it. I can alter it whenever I want to and can change photos/prices etc instantly.
I used to let a static caravan and that too was done purely from my own site and the odd ebay listing.
Hopefully I'll be adding an apartment in Lanzarote to my website soon, not sure if anyone on LMH is in Lanzarote, but would appreciate any advice from anyone who is.
Ahhh, relief - first post done and dusted, hopefully in the appropriate topic and place.
This is a fascinating topic and one I'm sure will run and run!
If you sign your property over to an agency you can be pretty sure you can invest little else in marketing and still get plenty of bookings during peak seasons, less so perhaps in the shoulder and off-seasons. If you are enjoying plenty of off-peak bookings through your agency then it suggests you could go it alone and still attract these but at much less expense than the 20%+ commission and booking fees agencies tend to charge.
Having tried agencies and then the independent route I'm wholly in the camp that says have your own website and do your own marketing. You'll get more bookings throughout the year and at much less cost. However, you will need to spend time on the marketing and this is where it gets difficult for owners who have other demands on their time.
You have to develop your website over time - increasing links, updating it to keep it fresh, ensuring your calendar is up to date and developing a database of visitors you can approach to rebook. A cheaply built website is rather like trying to enter a Ford Fiesta in a Grand Prix. You'll complete the course and probably on the same set of tyres, but you'll be nowhere when it comes to awarding prizes.
Balance the development of your site with online advertising using appropriate lisitng sites. Again, you'll need to do some time researching which sites deliver the goods. There are some useful threads on this subject elsewhere on LMH worth reading. In the early days you'll probably want to invest more in adverts on paid and free sites.
Use ALexa to see which ones are increasing their traffic over a 3-month period. Alexa will also provide a thumbnail profile of the people visiting the site (age, education etc) which you can match to your target market.
It takes time to upload adverts, not least because you must not simply cut and paste text from your website into adverts. The big god of Google will punish you if you do and send you to the bottom of its rankings.
Give preference to directory sites that allow you to post a link back to your website. Our research suggests that you'll get should get more enquiries as a result as your site will offer far more information than an advert.
Ultimately, the better the performance of your site, the fewer the adverts you need to place - but it can take up to 2-3 years to get a site really flying in search engine ranking terms. Invest in a quality site right from the start.
I'm sure there are others with a different perspective and one of the things I love about LMH is the open and honest way people are prepared to share and discuss their experiences for the benefit of others, so hope I'm following in the same vein.
I hope this helps!
If you sign your property over to an agency you can be pretty sure you can invest little else in marketing and still get plenty of bookings during peak seasons, less so perhaps in the shoulder and off-seasons. If you are enjoying plenty of off-peak bookings through your agency then it suggests you could go it alone and still attract these but at much less expense than the 20%+ commission and booking fees agencies tend to charge.
Having tried agencies and then the independent route I'm wholly in the camp that says have your own website and do your own marketing. You'll get more bookings throughout the year and at much less cost. However, you will need to spend time on the marketing and this is where it gets difficult for owners who have other demands on their time.
You have to develop your website over time - increasing links, updating it to keep it fresh, ensuring your calendar is up to date and developing a database of visitors you can approach to rebook. A cheaply built website is rather like trying to enter a Ford Fiesta in a Grand Prix. You'll complete the course and probably on the same set of tyres, but you'll be nowhere when it comes to awarding prizes.
Balance the development of your site with online advertising using appropriate lisitng sites. Again, you'll need to do some time researching which sites deliver the goods. There are some useful threads on this subject elsewhere on LMH worth reading. In the early days you'll probably want to invest more in adverts on paid and free sites.
Use ALexa to see which ones are increasing their traffic over a 3-month period. Alexa will also provide a thumbnail profile of the people visiting the site (age, education etc) which you can match to your target market.
It takes time to upload adverts, not least because you must not simply cut and paste text from your website into adverts. The big god of Google will punish you if you do and send you to the bottom of its rankings.
Give preference to directory sites that allow you to post a link back to your website. Our research suggests that you'll get should get more enquiries as a result as your site will offer far more information than an advert.
Ultimately, the better the performance of your site, the fewer the adverts you need to place - but it can take up to 2-3 years to get a site really flying in search engine ranking terms. Invest in a quality site right from the start.
I'm sure there are others with a different perspective and one of the things I love about LMH is the open and honest way people are prepared to share and discuss their experiences for the benefit of others, so hope I'm following in the same vein.
I hope this helps!
Rick Bond
If you build it (properly) - people will come.
<a href="http://www.myfavouriteholidaycottages.co.uk">My Favourite Holiday Cottages</a>
<a href="http://www.myholidaymarketing.co.uk">My Holiday Marketing</a>
If you build it (properly) - people will come.
<a href="http://www.myfavouriteholidaycottages.co.uk">My Favourite Holiday Cottages</a>
<a href="http://www.myholidaymarketing.co.uk">My Holiday Marketing</a>
