Anyone doing their own availability Blog linked to their website?

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Posted on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 10:52am

Silverspoon

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We are dinosaurs. We do not book online. We do not accept credit cards. We do not currently have a blog or FB page. We have a small successful B+B that is in its 23rd year so we are trying to wind down a bit...not ramp up. BUT, from time to time I would like to be able to use a blog to post our own availability calendar, last minute specials etc and have the blog available from our website menu. I am not kidding myself that I will have time to blog every day but thought I would give it a try. At the very least it will give me an opportunity to post some of DH lovely photos of the area.

I know that some of you are prolific bloggers and I applaud your energy and style. Me? not Just the spelling will drive me crazy. In any event.....is there a non-interactive calendar that I can pass on to my web person for this kind of blog? As you can see, I am just beginning to think about this blogging issue. I'm sure that I will be back with more silly questions.

This comment (116268) was in reply to the Original Topic on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 8:53pm

#1 TOP

Bob

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I have to say, I almost feel sorry for some of you. I know it's your choice but my heart goes out to all of you who do not do real time bookings. I'm going to lose sleep over you! One thing that I have noticed from changing to this type of reservation process is that the customers are Higher class and they have money! I have found that they are ordering more pkgs and leaving bigger tips! Why is this? I have come to the conclusion it's because most of them are tech savy and have good paying jobs. One of our customers told me this ......They like the fact after the kids are in bed they can lay down on the couch at midnight with their iPad and look around at places to stay. They come across a place that looks nice and look to see what they have open. Oops no way to find out because they don't do online reservations......Oh they do have a form to fill out. Nope not going to waste time with that, because the last time I did that it took 3 days for a response....lets keep looking....this is when they found our site. This was a $1200 reservation. People want instant gratification now days! They don't want to wait around for an email response or a phone call just to find out you don't have what they want! You can make the choice to work harder, or work smarter. Just sayin!

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Crystal Cove Bed and Breakfast
www.crystalcovebranson.com

This comment (116304) was in reply to comment 116268 on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 9:16am

#2 TOP

catlady

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You really are "preaching to choir" here. I would guess that about 98% of the forum mates are doing on line reservations. But for the small minority who are not....they know how we all feel about it. But hey...if it works for them...then so be it.

This comment (116337) was in reply to comment 116304 on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 2:35pm

#3 TOP

Bob

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I should just shut my mouth. If they change their ways it means less money for me! You can bring a horse to water, but you can't make them drink!

This comment (116269) was in reply to comment 116268 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 8:56pm

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Madeleine

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Bob wrote:

I have to say, I almost feel sorry for some of you. I know it's your choice but my heart goes out to all of you who do not do real time bookings. I'm going to lose sleep over you!

I think a lot of innkeepers don't know there is such a thing as 'real-time'. They think every booking system works the same way theirs does.

Don't lose sleep over them. Count your blessings (and your cash!) They'll figure it out (or they won't).

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This comment (116338) was in reply to comment 116269 on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 2:36pm

#5 TOP

Bob

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I had a good night sleep after reading your comment! Thanks!!!

This comment (116231) was in reply to the Original Topic on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 12:58pm

#6 TOP

Bob

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Hi everyone. I have to be honest with you. For many years I thought going to online reservations was not something I wanted to do. I thought I would have more control over who stayed and who I didn’t want to stay by not doing this. I finally decided I would give it a try. At that time I looked at many programs and talked with companies. I decided to go with Webervations 2.0. They needed genii pigs and I liked the fact that they were working on a program to charged cards when the customer reserved. They said it should be up and going in a few months. Three years later i’m still waiting and they now are closing up shop on 2.0. I did learn a lot from this new way of making reservations. (online reservations)
I didn’t have to carry around reservation books everywhere I went.
I no longer had to worry about a double booking.
I people could agree to our cancellation policy
I could show people packages without sounding like a car salesman
The list goes on and on.....
After the news of web 2.0 going dark, I decided now was the time to make my life even easier. I did even more research and talked to many different companies. I decided to go with Reservation Key. I know for some of you who have gone to this company know the reason why. ( I don’t need to go into details, if you don’t know why you can ask me)
I decided after losing $3800 last year on cancellations and no shows I was going to do this right! I now only take online reservations and they must pay for 1 night when booking. OH MY GOSH this is a life saver! I no longer have to have a reservation come in and then go to the computer and get their credit card number and then type it in just to find out the card declines. Then you spend a few days tracking them down to get a card that has money on it for a deposit. I will not ever find my self wasting time doing this. Everyday at 5:30 I get an email stating how many reservations and deposits I made and it batches out automatically. I didn’t have to do anything! If you are not doing this you you should be! I have also found I will have steady income for the whole year, even when we close. I can’t say this enough. If you don’t keep up with technology it will come back to haunt you. It also makes your company look more professional. I have found this new way of making reservations a life saver and I have a lot more time to spend with my family now. I just thought I would let you know what my experience has been from someone who was scared to make a change because I was set in my ways. I will also say hoping to make more reservations from having a calendar on your BLOG is not going to bring a lot of business. Think about it. When you travel do you go to a blog to look to see if the place you want to stay has rooms? Also, it could hurt your business if someone does happen to click on to your Blog and see you show something open. They call you and you tell them oh, "I'm sorry that is not open" (Ooops, you forgot to update your calendar and now you have to take a few hours to make sure it is correct) This will be a turn off for customers. If you do not have real time calenders that go with your reservation program, do not do this!

This comment (116235) was in reply to comment 116231 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 2:27pm

#7 TOP

Joey Bloggs

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Thanks for the update Crystal Cove Bob. I hear ya! I think many of us (without the benefit of an online forum such as this) thought we would weed out the bad guests by speaking to them, I did it as well before taking the leap. I have found, personally, those who book online are the best guests by far.

I know many think they need to be tied to the reservation taking process, but it is like Christmas morning each and every time the bookings roll into my email (as you said) and frees up time, valuable time that belongs to me! Gosh the time, of the precious time spent listening to some person drone on and on over the phone like you have nothing else to do in a day...15-30 minutes per call was not unusual.

Best thing I ever did.

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This comment (116339) was in reply to comment 116235 on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 2:40pm

#8 TOP

Bob

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You are so right! Its like having a full time helping hand around taking your reservations for you.

This comment (116232) was in reply to comment 116231 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 1:16pm

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Madeleine

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Bob wrote:

... Also, it could hurt your business if someone does happen to click on to your Blog and see you show something open. They call you and you tell them oh, "I'm sorry that is not open" (Ooops, you forgot to update your calendar and now you have to take a few hours to make sure it is correct) This will be a turn off for customers. If you do not have real time calenders that go with your reservation program, do not do this!

I think the OP was just looking for idea on how to get a calendar on her site (and thought putting it on the blog was the way to go) ONLY for last minute cancellations. Not for making regular reservations, which she has said she has enough of.

I totally agree that having a real time availability calendar and booking engine is the way to go. MANY, MANY properties are still doing the 'request a reservation' route where you have to submit your top 3 choices for a room because they do not keep the calendar up to date.

We made a same-day reservation and I called later on as I did not have access to the internet where I was at the time. Innkeeper had no idea we were coming, had no rooms ready and asked us to please delay our arrival. This was a reservation request system and the innkeeper had not been checking it regularly.

We get calls all the time from guests looking at our calendar who are inquiring if it is up to date, so I know this is an issue. I even put in big, red letters on the calendar- This calendar is up to date- but we still get calls from guests who have been burned and don't believe it.

This comment (116185) was in reply to the Original Topic on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 5:17pm

#10 TOP

Joey Bloggs

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Silverspoon you response brings me to another question. If you don't want to use online res system, and the cost involved, that is another issue to the mix as well, but consider this (if you will give me a moment): Could it be possible the quality of the guests could or would change should you offer online bookings? Just think about this for a moment. I pretty much get your set up there I think, and can visualize the clientele for the most part. But would you like more overseas visitors? Just thinking about who books online vs calls, for us, those who call are usually the pitas. Now in your instance, there is no difference, as they all need to email or call.

Just food for thought on your working harder vs working smarter thoughts. I concur and think that is the best method.

This comment (116195) was in reply to comment 116185 on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 6:54pm

#11 TOP

Silverspoon

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Since most of our guests tend to be in the 50-60 year-old range, I don't think the technology part is as crucial as it would be if we wanted to attract a younger crowd. We like a more mature guest who is looking for a B+B experience, not just a "hotel" to use and abuse. In general the mature crowd is calmer, wiser and does not dirty as much linen! Of course, those who are mature PITAs have been practicing their whole life...but fortunately we don't get too many in any one year. We do get some foreign guests, mostly from England and Germany, and, although it would be nice to have more bookings from Europe it is not worth the hassle or expense of converting our systems at this point. If we were going to go full tilt another 5 years I'd say OK and bite the bullet to upgrade. But in 5 years we hope to be renting the cottage only on a weekly basis, no breakfast or housekeeping...just enough to pay a few bills and allow us to maintain the place.

I really appreciate all the time and input you all have given on this issue and have no doubt that you are all correct about our losing business opportunities because we will not get with the technology program. Our challange is to be professional innkeepers in every other way, but to be a bit old fashioned (like us ) in our reservations.

This comment (116252) was in reply to comment 116195 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 4:39pm

#12 TOP

Samster

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Silverspoon, I can certainly understand if you're adamant about not adding online reservations.

But for any aspirings out there that are reading this I have to say that I also think you're making a very huge generalization about your favored age group.

Yep, I'm in there too and I love technology! I'm your worst travel nightmare - the guest that will immediately click off your site because you don't have online reservations. I have no patience for that in the year 2012. My quiet time is late at night and that's when I plan trips. I don't want to wait to have to call, I don't want to take the time to get caught up in a phone conversation, I want to book NOW! Also, no good photos of the rooms? Common areas? I'm outta there...

But it sounds like you are actually winding down your business rather than trying to garner higher occupancy, so you might be on the right track there.

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This comment (116256) was in reply to comment 116252 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 6:20pm

#13 TOP

Silverspoon

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Samster, you have stated my situation well. And I know that potential guests of ALL ages want to make their reservations on line.(We do all the time!) My experience, however, tells me that enough people will e-mail or call for availabilty and reservations to fill us up when the season is on. So, do I spend the $$ and time to set up a whole new system for reservations for a few years worth of business? We will not try to sell as a B+B and we currently have a captive customer base because of our location. We have great reviews, Fodor's, Frommers, TA yadda, yadda....an outstanding location and 22 years of repeat customers. Nope....not going to do it.

You will have to believe me that this is not an easy decision for me to make! That "Go Get'em" energy that seems to be built into innkeepers has not passed me by. But my rational head says....not worth it. For me. At this stage of the innkeeping business. But for anyone starting out or who wants to build a business in today's world....Absolutely. Go for it!

This comment (116322) was in reply to comment 116256 on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 11:41am

#14 TOP

egoodell

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Silverspoon wrote:

All you need is Availability Online. Manage the bookings as you always do. First year the $175 fee is half if you are member of Paii. But for a measly $175 to have online booking is SO worth not having to spend time on the phone. You are right that the big booking/management ones are expensive - around $80 a month. So just go to Availaiblity or Reservation Key to just get the calendar and the booking side of it - don't bother with the management side.

You will waste more time trying to put a calendar up on your own. They will do it for you.

Riki

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Riki Goodell
Arcady Vineyard Bed & Breakfast
Arcady Vineyard Wine Tours
www.arcadyvineyard.com
Come! Let us show you the beautiful Monticello Appellation!

This comment (116362) was in reply to comment 116322 on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 9:13pm

#15 TOP

Harborfields

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As has been said up thread, dateblocker.com or google calendar are two easy free ways of providing an availability calendar on your website, for free, the caveat being that you do have to keep them updated yourself, manually (as it were)

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This comment (116377) was in reply to comment 116362 on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 8:18am

#16 TOP

Silverspoon

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Thanks, Harborfields, for answering my question.

This comment (116350) was in reply to comment 116322 on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 5:18pm

#17 TOP

Madeleine

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Riki- I have friends using AO and the way they have it set up you have to choose multiple rooms because making an online reservation does NOT take the room out of inventory, so they want your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice. Do they have it set up wrong?

I am always trying to send people to them but I never know if the calendar is up to date.

What they have told me is that they have to accept the rez for the calendar to update.

This comment (116369) was in reply to comment 116350 on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 9:45pm

#18 TOP

egoodell

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No they are correct. The way I have it set up they can ask for their first and second choice of rooms (I only have two rooms right now). It is only an online booking system, not a management system.

I just tried BnBmanager which was okay and does autmatically update the calendar, but they charge the tax on everything and I need it only on the rooms, not my packages, so I'm still looking for a management system which will connect with Availability and automatically update the calendar and run my reports. I may try Inn Kontrol as I have heard it is good and it works with Availability.

Riki

This comment (116389) was in reply to comment 116369 on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 9:35am

#19 TOP

Madeleine

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egoodell wrote:

No they are correct. The way I have it set up they can ask for their first and second choice of rooms (I only have two rooms right now). It is only an online booking system, not a management system.

Riki

If it doesn't update what the next guest sees then it is not real time, is it? If you have to accept the rez for the rooms to be blocked it can mean double bookings.

This comment (116406) was in reply to comment 116389 on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 1:27pm

#20 TOP

egoodell

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Madeleine wrote:

egoodell wrote:

No they are correct. The way I have it set up they can ask for their first and second choice of rooms (I only have two rooms right now). It is only an online booking system, not a management system.

Riki

If it doesn't update what the next guest sees then it is not real time, is it? If you have to accept the rez for the rooms to be blocked it can mean double bookings.

When I update the calendar manually as I receive reservations, the system will not let anyone request the room so there is no possibility of double booking. I don't want real time as I have to check if Chris is building on the wing that day or if the wine tours are available as they almost always book that package.

I believe you can set it up for real time. It may require that you get a management system that works with Availability. Then the calendar will be updated automatically. I just do it manaually

RIki

This comment (116407) was in reply to comment 116406 on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 1:35pm

#21 TOP

Madeleine

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OK, I understand. It's just hard with their 7 rooms to know if they have an opening when someone is asking me where else they should call. I know they don't want it to be automatic, they want it manual. They walk around with a big notebook all the time. I have no idea why they think this is good in a place where there are 30 other B&B's and guests will just move on.

This comment (116411) was in reply to comment 116407 on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 2:59pm

#22 TOP

egoodell

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Madeleine wrote:

If they don't want it to be automatic then they should do something like Availability and manually update the calendar as each reservation comes in which is what I do. That way, if you want to recommend them, you just go online like to mine here at

http://www.availabilityonline.com/availtable.php?un=egoodell

You can see the room availabilty as those that do not have an X.

The only difference with me and real time is that you dont' get your confirmation when you book, you get a copy of your reservation request stating that it is only a request and the confirmation will be coming. I check several times a day so usually the calendar is updated within hours of the reservation.

Only once in a blue moon do I get two reservations at the same time for a room. I confirm whoever books first and tell the other the system is not real time and the room was just booked before their request was submitted. Hardly ever happens.

All this reminds me that I have to mark off the new rooms until they are ready - opps will do that right now!

RIki

This comment (116426) was in reply to comment 116411 on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 5:46pm

#23 TOP

Madeleine

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The difference is they have 7 rooms. I could have a traveler on the phone asking and it LOOKS like they have one room open but it was booked yesterday and they didn't update the online portion.

My booking system takes the room out of inventory as soon as a guest books it. Even if it's another 12 hours before I even know I have a rez for that room. Next guest at 2 AM has 1 less room to pick from. No worries. I could decline the rez 12 hours later and the rooms would go back into inventory at that time, but at least that next 2 AM guest booking is for a room that is really open.

This comment (116427) was in reply to comment 116426 on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 5:50pm

#24 TOP

gillumhouse

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That is why I like ReservationKey. It is real time and even though with mine I have to confirm it or deny, it is out of inventory until I do.

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This comment (116313) was in reply to comment 116256 on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 10:55am

#25 TOP

Samster

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I think that if you have some kind of decent availability calendar that is up-to-date on your website, that it would be better than nothing and you can do that for very little cost, if any. And, it might help you out a bit as you step back from your business over the next however many years until you close.

Using an online reservation/guest management software program saved my bacon when I had the inn. I would have been pulling my hair out if I had to answer all those phone calls with everything else I had to do! We easily had 90% of our guests book online, but I also had a book online incentive. I only had one component of my business that might call for reservations and that was the university. But usually even they would email me with all the details of what they needed.

I didn't even mention that as a guest not taking credit cards would be a bigger road block for me. Sorry...but as we travel more and more, I like getting my miles!

If you're making the $$$ you want, working as hard as you want, then you've got it figured out!

This comment (116262) was in reply to comment 116256 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 6:48pm

#26 TOP

catlady

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You do your business in the way that works for you. That is great. And, you also understand what everyone else is saying Whatever works best.

This comment (116257) was in reply to comment 116256 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 6:27pm

#27 TOP

Madeleine

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There is no better business plan than knowing your business and yourselves!

This comment (116215) was in reply to comment 116195 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 8:00am

#28 TOP

egoodell

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Silverspoon wrote:

I am 59 years old and I book and research everything online. I have had plenty of folks in that age range book online. My peers here at the university do also. It is very much living in the past to think that older folk don't book onine or use email. I know grandparents who have learned email to connect with their families.

RIki

This comment (116216) was in reply to comment 116215 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 8:14am

#29 TOP

Joey Bloggs

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R I didn't know you were that age. You are so young and vibrant!

This comment (116221) was in reply to comment 116216 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 10:11am

#30 TOP

Penelope

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Joey Bloggs wrote:

R I didn't know you were that age. You are so young and vibrant!

I had to reread her sentence, too!!! I had her pegged for her 40s!

Back on topic- my dad had an iPhone before I did, and I'm in my 30s. He was 63 and HAD to have it. He's like a kid with all the techno-crap he loves!

This comment (116226) was in reply to comment 116221 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 11:10am

#31 TOP

egoodell

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Aww shucks, thanks guys

riki

This comment (116217) was in reply to comment 116216 on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 9:48am

#32 TOP

egoodell

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Joey Bloggs wrote:

R I didn't know you were that age. You are so young and vibrant!

Thank you - I can relate these days to my dad when he used to say "I forget how old I am until I see myself in the mirror!"

RIki

This comment (116197) was in reply to comment 116195 on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 8:03pm

#33 TOP

gillumhouse

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Since most of our guests tend to be in the 50-60 year-old range, I don't think the technology part is as crucial as it would be if we wanted to attract a younger crowd.

OK, you answered part of this by saying in 5 years you plan to do weekly cottage, however even as weekly cottage I would suggest beginning to plumb the depths of an at least slightly younger potential guest pool. Longevity will deminish your current guest list - and many of them are already into the techie world. But your 40s group should be looked at as the next group of 50s - in 5 years or so they will be there - to replace those that will start falling off the guest list. I know you are comfortable with things as they are now and far be it from me to say you should do things differently. However, I would not be doing you any favors if I did not point out the need to replenish the guest pool as the "same time next year" crowd moves on to the retirement home (either out of State or The Home) so the same time is now an empty time for you. I think that is what we are trying to say with the online reservations.

You know you can block off online reservations when you do not want guests. I am sitting with the fence on this as with most of the rest of my life. By that I mean I was brought up with - your never say no because there will be someone else who will say yes and the old if your man goes to Timbuktu you go to Timbuktu with a smile (one foot firmly planted in the old days) and at the same time I was told "you can do anything you set your mind to do (the modern thinking). That fence gets awful rough on the crotxh! With the online reservations, I have them and will not be without them BUT I do not take credit card numbers online because I want no guff with PCI compliance - one foot in each era again. The room comes out of inventory, but is not confirmed until I get that CC number. I do take credit cards because I would lose way too much business if I did not - but I also take cash & checks.

This comment (116059) was in reply to the Original Topic on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 1:20pm

#34 TOP

Joey Bloggs

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a blog is like a journal or diary, it is not really for availability calendars, that is what your website is for. Every inn should have a place for a guest to check availability. I have two near me which I cannot refer guests as I cannot even tell if they have rooms open or not, ever. They don't know the business they are losing. They say they are "customer service" etc and want to speak to you. 95% of our guests want to plan and book their trip, now.

This comment (116180) was in reply to comment 116059 on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 4:59pm

#35 TOP

Silverspoon

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I get it. We are losing business because we do not have an availability calendar on our web site and because do we do not take bookings online. But, we do not want MORE business, we just want to stay even...which we have no problem doing as it as. When I say "even", I do not mean in $$$, I mean in # bookings. Prices went up $15/night in season this year. With a little luck we will work less and earn more. So far our antiquated systems have produced great results, probably because our location is in demand during the summer and competition in the immediate area is limited. The larger inns in the area all follow the PAII recommendations and have automated their reservation process. The small B+Bs..not so much.

We are trying not to kill ourselves with work during our exit years but to relax and enjoy the process. However, now and then we have last minute cancellations that I would like to fill...something I considered posting on a Blog linked to our web site...thus the availability calendar question.

So I know that we are not as successful as we could be...but on the other hand, we are as successful as we need to be.

This comment (116281) was in reply to comment 116180 on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 5:06am

#36 TOP

camberleyhotelh...

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Have you thought about something like twitter instead? is very good for we have had a last minute cancellation kind of stuff just make sure you have the words room and your town in the tweet.

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This comment (116305) was in reply to comment 116281 on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 9:18am

#37 TOP

catlady

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Well unless someone is following you on twitter...what good is it to post a vacancy? It only reaches those who follow you. I am still not convinced twitter does any good. sorry.

This comment (116192) was in reply to comment 116180 on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 6:26pm

#38 TOP

Madeleine

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When you add your calendar to your website be sure to block out anything you don't want to book well into the future. What you are doing is working for you, you are trying to make a change that allows you to advertise a recent vacancy without having to answer the telephone all the time.

It sounds like a win-win for you and your guests.

We have gradually (verrrry gradually) moved from most of our reservations being phone calls to the majority (by a hair) being online. I couldn't live without online bookings but I did for the first 18 months we were here. Can't say we suddenly got a flurry of reservations once the calendar was up, but there were a few. Would we have not gotten them if the guest had to call? Who knows. We were one of the first B&B's in town to have online booking.

This comment (116184) was in reply to comment 116180 on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 5:15pm

#39 TOP

gillumhouse

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05/22/2008

Silverspoon wrote:

So I know that we are not as successful as we could be...but on the other hand, we are as successful as we need to be.

This is why I say, May you be as busy as you want to be.

This comment (116112) was in reply to comment 116059 on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 9:17am

#40 TOP

egoodell

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06/01/2008

I agree. Anyone who does not have at least an availability calendar on their website is losing business. Travelers these days don't want the "customer service" of a phone call. They want to see and book online. I can't tell you the time I would lose having to take my reservations on the phone. That would be a nightmare for me. I do enjoy customer service once they have booked. And I can tell you they don't call me with their questions. They email. Often. And by the time they get here they tell me they already know me!

Innkeepers have to get with the times. The current way to give customer service is NOT on the phone, but on email or text.

I would also be dead if I didnt' take credit cards! I can't imagine the business I would lose.

RIki

This comment (115999) was in reply to the Original Topic on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 7:54pm

#41 TOP

agoodman

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10/18/2008

people need to get this, a LOT of people want to book online, a lot of people want to book at 3am, a lot of people want to know prices for specific dates for specific rooms for a specific number of people and they want to do it online AND at 3am

I have been traveling quite a bit and I (ok so it's me personally but the number of web bookers is growing every day) generally DO NOT call to ask these things if I cannot see it and book online.

So I take my business somewhere else. I know that you (and maybe you too) don't care, if you have so much business that it does not matter to you but without a DECENT and EASY TO USE online booking system, preferably web based, you ARE losing business. There is NO question about that. If you don't take it from me, take it from PAII, or from any Inn that never used to have an online booking engine and has one now.

This comment (116008) was in reply to comment 115999 on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 3:37am

#42 TOP

camberleyhotelh...

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04/02/2010

My online booking translates into 25 different languages which is another advantage so if you are chinese and want to read it in your own language you can and then book at 4am without waking me thats great!. We also have commission free online booking through our web site now so If I am running about I can get people to book through the web site without incurring charges if I want to.

This comment (115810) was in reply to the Original Topic on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 1:29pm

#43 TOP

Harborfields

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08/28/2011

You could use the free http://www.dateblocker.com/ -- it's intended for vacation rental properties, but you could use it for individual rooms within one property. You can embed the calendars into your own web page, where they'll update automatically whenever you update things on the dateblocker site.

See http://www.harborfields.com/Cottages/DeckCottage.html (scroll down) for an example of a single property(/room), and see http://www.harborfields.com/Cottages/Availability.html (scroll down) for an example of how it displays the availability of multiple properties(/rooms).

This comment (115811) was in reply to comment 115810 on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 1:44pm

#44 TOP

Silverspoon

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10/16/2011

Thanks, Harborfields! I'll have to spend some time thinking things through but your input will definitely be helpful in my quest to update using a blog.

This comment (115808) was in reply to the Original Topic on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 12:56pm

#45 TOP

camberleyhotelh...

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04/02/2010

I should blog more than I do but I agree once a week is enough otherwise you run out of interesting things to say very rapidly. I have a blog box where if I see say and article or event etc I cut it out to remind me and then when I have time I write a small article. Also I can't remember iif its BandBedition or B&B coach (think its B&B coach) where you can download a blogging schedule which helps you remember what you have blogged about and ideas for the future its a good tool.

For example for my next one, one of our local restaurants does a megga steak challenge and are introducing for 2012 a burger challenge so they are going to give me some pics of it and information so its advertising for it, the restaurant and me all in the same go.

This comment (115806) was in reply to the Original Topic on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 11:04am

#46 TOP

catlady

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Joined:
05/22/2008

Do you edit your own website? If not, you don't need a blog to post your availabilty. Just get a google account and sign up for google calendar. Have your web person put the code to the calendar on your website. It can be on a separate availabilty page, or just embed it on your home page.Then when you need to update it...do it in google calender and you don't mess with setting up a blog. This is a very simple way to do it. Here's a sample for you to see.

This comment (115825) was in reply to comment 115806 on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 8:37pm

#47 TOP

Madeleine

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09/29/2011

catlady wrote:

That would be a really great way to do this.

This comment (115812) was in reply to comment 115806 on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 1:57pm

#48 TOP

Silverspoon

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10/16/2011

Thanks! This looks like something I could easily use. And I could use it as part of a blog if I decide to post availability.

No we do not edit our own web site, but if our site had a link to a blog, I would have added flexibilty possibly adding a calendar to the blog once we start to really fill up.

This comment (115834) was in reply to comment 115812 on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 8:24am

#49 TOP

catlady

Online

Joined:
05/22/2008

Thats fine if you want to eventually do a blog and have the calendar there. But you also need the calendar on your website because that is where the majority of people will look for your availability. The google calendar is free and so easy to use and it only requires just a short bit of code on your web site. If I were you, I would just have your webmaster create a page and call it Availability and put that code on that page... Then all you have to do is click on the Google calendar link, log into your account and update your calendar. VERY SIMPLE and from what I read..that is what you want. Good luck.

This comment (115843) was in reply to comment 115834 on Mon, 01/16/2012 - 3:11pm

#50 TOP

Silverspoon

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10/16/2011

I think you are right! Sounds easy peasy!

Anyone doing their own availability Blog linked to their website?

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