Basic Web Site Principals and Questions

Building a website is a wild, bumpy, fun, and satisfying job that requires focus

I love starting a new “by-owner” web site with an enthusiastic customer. But managing expectations is tricky: Everybody knows the Internet. They’ve seen the greatest web sites. They have an eye for pleasing design. They want to be on top in Google. And, they want to learn everything about the web.

It’s too much! So, I concentrate on some basic questions and an overriding principal. First the principal: The purpose of your site is to provide a service to vacation surfers and to your guests. It’s not about you, it’s about them.

• Build a site that helps your guests enjoy their vacation at your place. You are selling family memories. Include your insights. There may be lots of restaurants but which are your favorites and why. Where do you go for crowds and for solitude? Where is the grocery store? Build a site that your guests will return to again and again after they’ve booked. Help them anticipate and plan their holiday at your place.
• Make the site personal. Renting a “by-owner” is a person-to-person transaction. A professional real estate ad has all the right phrases – use them but please put them in your own words.
• Give surfers what they want and don’t waste their time. Surfers are impatient. They want information. Extravagant design and gewgaws can get in the way. Don't try to tease them so they'll surf more of your pages.

And now my top 10 (plus 1) questions.

• How long does it take? Your brand new URL can be worldwide tomorrow, but you need something to say. I estimate 10 hours of my time and 20 hours of your time.
• How will I get to the top of the search results? You can’t unless you have something very, very unique. You must advertise on sites that are at the top of search results. This job never ends.
• Can you make it look like “that site?” Not exactly, but a site you like is a great starting point.
• Which domain name? Google doesn’t care at all. Pick one that passes the telephone test.
• Where to host? Web hosting is a bargain hunter’s paradise but prices and services are competitive. All services have far more features than you can ever use. I host almost all my sites at the same place, not because it’s better or cheaper but because I’m familiar with it. It saves time and I get a tiny commission.
• What colors should I use? Use colors schemes from professional artists. I got a great color scheme by scanning some Christmas wrapping paper.
• Here are 200 pictures; will you pick the best ones? Arghhh …..  For a variety of reasons, managing your pictures consumes much time and energy. But they are vital. You’ll use your best pictures on your ad sites as well.
• How many hits will I get? Not that many, but you will get bookings.
• Can you change this one thing? Of course, but some small changes take a long time while some big changes are trivial.
• Can you teach me to do it myself? Yes, but it might be cheaper if I do it for you.
• When are we done? Never, but we’ll have to stop somewhere so you can  manage your ads, get some links, and book your guests.

I’m Terry Kearns. You can find more about me at: http://tkwebservice.com.

Previous article		Next article
Free Vacation Rental Website Template		Attending Christine Karpinski / Rent One Online Seminar 2-26-05