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You can do it yourself. If you already use a rental portal site like VRBO.COM, you know how to do it. The out of pocket savings are significant. Of course, I'd prefer you hired me and I'm not sure I should be telling you this. But you'll find out anyway. It may be the right thing for you.
First you need to check my cost page for comparison.
Ugh. Sticker Shock.
There are hundreds of web services that allow you to build your on web site. You don't have to know HTML, or anything else technical. It costs about $10 a month. They work substantially the same way as rental portals.
- Sign up and pay with a credit card.
- Get a log in and password.
- Choose a domain name.
- Pick from a variety of "professionally designed" templates.
- Enter your text and pictures using web based forms.
- You can do it from anywhere and any time.
- Not bad at all!
I'm personally aware of several services used by rental owners:
Well, I guess I'm out of business. The cost is about the same as hosting service alone. Plus, you can update it yourself. What do you need me for?
Updating it yourself:
If I do your site, won't it be hard to update? Most folks are very concerned about this initially. In practice we try to get your site right before you pay me. After that most folks update rates once a year, a calendar (see below), and odds and ends. There is an urban myth about having fresh content on your site. Folks go to the weather.com, cnn.com and the newyorktimes.com for fresh content. They aren't seeking it at your site. They don't have time.
Here is how you do an update with me: E-mail or phone me, "Terry, please change the rates, and add this picture." I make your change, usually the same day and charge you by the minute. Sounds expensive but I don't charge you unless I work. How much updating do you plan to do?
What about updating your own calendar:
You'll update calendars most often. I don't recommend putting a calendar into your web site. Many portals have online calendars. Many allow links to the free service http://rentors.org. The point is, how many calendars do your want to update? I think you should link to rentors.org. That's true whether you do your own or I do it for you.
It's not just technical - it's personal service:
We will build your site together, we will have discussions on the phone and by e-mail. I will answer those questions you may be embarrassed to ask. You'll have the benefit of my experience in doing rental sites. I've tried to share my experience on this site. But there is no substitute for our one-on-one relationship.
A site that is not just a real estate ad:
A vacation rental site is not a standard real estate ad. I believe that your site must speak with a human voice. It must build surfer's trust in you and your property. It must help your guests enjoy their vacation at your place. It needs your personal insights.
Your site should be proud of you:
Did I mean you should be proud of your site? Of course. You'll want to show it to all your friends and family.
Doing a web site is fun:
I will do your web site right in front or you. It will be on the web from day one. You can show it around, get feedback, change your mind, move things around. The site will steadily grow before your eyes. It's quite exciting, satisfying, and educational.
It's not done until you say it's done:
I'm going to make sure you are satisfied.
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