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Madeleine

Madeleine

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Coming up with a list of add ons for guests to buy. How many makes the list too long? Is there something you wish was available when you travel that I might consider adding? (I don't do food add ons because I can't unless they are pre packaged. So that leaves out the old choco dipped strawberries, etc.)
Is the list 'too long' if it's boring stuff or because there are too many choices?
Some things require the guest to call so that might make them not bother if they want to do it all online. (Things that require specific reservation time choices for example.)
 
I've been thinking the same. I currently have 5 floral options people can pick from as a reservation page add-on, and my sister is wanting me to add some of the little gift baskets she makes up from her local products store.
It's a good idea but I worry about the options list being too long. It wouldn't be too bad if you could categorize them so they only see the basic categories, like (Flowers) (Candy) (Massage Options) where people wouldn't see all the different options until after selecting the category they're interested in. Having every option for every type package appear in a long list on the reservation page is not desirable.
Like children, some adults find it hard to make a decision from too many options, and only having 2 or 3 might be best.
So yes, it can be both too long and boring, and too long and hard to make a choice.
 
Arkansawyer said:
I've been thinking the same. I currently have 5 floral options people can pick from as a reservation page add-on, and my sister is wanting me to add some of the little gift baskets she makes up from her local products store.
It's a good idea but I worry about the options list being too long. It wouldn't be too bad if you could categorize them so they only see the basic categories, like (Flowers) (Candy) (Massage Options) where people wouldn't see all the different options until after selecting the category they're interested in. Having every option for every type package appear in a long list on the reservation page is not desirable.
Like children, some adults find it hard to make a decision from too many options, and only having 2 or 3 might be best.
So yes, it can be both too long and boring, and too long and hard to make a choice..
Click to expand...
Having spent many years in retail...THREE is the magic number. I've said it before. Offer choices in threes. If you are going for flowers, offer three, Candy--three, Gift baskets, three.....the mind starts getting confused after three, and two is not enough to make you feel you had a choice. REALLY, that and never make a display look so good no one wants to take the first one.....crazy but true.
 
Arkansawyer said:
I've been thinking the same. I currently have 5 floral options people can pick from as a reservation page add-on, and my sister is wanting me to add some of the little gift baskets she makes up from her local products store.
It's a good idea but I worry about the options list being too long. It wouldn't be too bad if you could categorize them so they only see the basic categories, like (Flowers) (Candy) (Massage Options) where people wouldn't see all the different options until after selecting the category they're interested in. Having every option for every type package appear in a long list on the reservation page is not desirable.
Like children, some adults find it hard to make a decision from too many options, and only having 2 or 3 might be best.
So yes, it can be both too long and boring, and too long and hard to make a choice..
Click to expand...
OK, Empty Nest did this for one of my really long, wordy packages...tabs! (I'm giddy with how sharp it looks!) The tab shows just what you mentioned and then you click to reveal all the 'floral' options or whatever. (mine is a 4, 5, 6 or 7 night stay with each extra night getting another thing thrown in.)
So, think about doing that on your website.
None of mine are really repeats. There is one add on with flowers. Two different gift baskets (small and large). Tea. Sailing. Different stuff.
I don't want to make big involved packages for everything. Just a simple add on. Right now I have 7. In previous years I've sold about 10 total so it's not really a money maker.
 
white pine said:
Arkansawyer said:
I've been thinking the same. I currently have 5 floral options people can pick from as a reservation page add-on, and my sister is wanting me to add some of the little gift baskets she makes up from her local products store.
It's a good idea but I worry about the options list being too long. It wouldn't be too bad if you could categorize them so they only see the basic categories, like (Flowers) (Candy) (Massage Options) where people wouldn't see all the different options until after selecting the category they're interested in. Having every option for every type package appear in a long list on the reservation page is not desirable.
Like children, some adults find it hard to make a decision from too many options, and only having 2 or 3 might be best.
So yes, it can be both too long and boring, and too long and hard to make a choice..
Click to expand...
Having spent many years in retail...THREE is the magic number. I've said it before. Offer choices in threes. If you are going for flowers, offer three, Candy--three, Gift baskets, three.....the mind starts getting confused after three, and two is not enough to make you feel you had a choice. REALLY, that and never make a display look so good no one wants to take the first one.....crazy but true.
.
Click to expand...
Uh oh. I had better stop at 7...
 
Madeleine said:
Arkansawyer said:
I've been thinking the same. I currently have 5 floral options people can pick from as a reservation page add-on, and my sister is wanting me to add some of the little gift baskets she makes up from her local products store.
It's a good idea but I worry about the options list being too long. It wouldn't be too bad if you could categorize them so they only see the basic categories, like (Flowers) (Candy) (Massage Options) where people wouldn't see all the different options until after selecting the category they're interested in. Having every option for every type package appear in a long list on the reservation page is not desirable.
Like children, some adults find it hard to make a decision from too many options, and only having 2 or 3 might be best.
So yes, it can be both too long and boring, and too long and hard to make a choice..
Click to expand...
OK, Empty Nest did this for one of my really long, wordy packages...tabs! (I'm giddy with how sharp it looks!) The tab shows just what you mentioned and then you click to reveal all the 'floral' options or whatever. (mine is a 4, 5, 6 or 7 night stay with each extra night getting another thing thrown in.)
So, think about doing that on your website.
None of mine are really repeats. There is one add on with flowers. Two different gift baskets (small and large). Tea. Sailing. Different stuff.
I don't want to make big involved packages for everything. Just a simple add on. Right now I have 7. In previous years I've sold about 10 total so it's not really a money maker.
.
Click to expand...
Madeleine said:
I've sold about 10 total so it's not really a money maker.
Click to expand...
No, more of a service that makes your place more attractive than those who don't offer this stuff. It may be like with people who will only book places that have a Jacuzzi, then they end up never using the tub.
 
Too many won't sell. In fact it will overwhelm people. For the program I use when you have them show up as add ons when they reserve three is almost too many! Unless you have a separate page just for add ons. BUT - the thing I think is best is to send an add on with your "your reservation is just 4 days away..." or what ever you send. (I am not sending them right now due to some snafus).
At the time, we think "Uh no, I don't want flowers, I am already paying $$" and then later on, hm, that looks pretty, (as my other sticker shock is gone) and I might order them!
I will say, I had less adds on this past year, ever. Including breakfast deliveries, flowers etc. But if they did order, they were ordering the fruit, cheese and cider. It is almost as if they bring flowers home already, then head out (if it is a special occasion)?
 
Joey Bloggs said:
Too many won't sell. In fact it will overwhelm people. For the program I use when you have them show up as add ons when they reserve three is almost too many! Unless you have a separate page just for add ons. BUT - the thing I think is best is to send an add on with your "your reservation is just 4 days away..." or what ever you send. (I am not sending them right now due to some snafus).
At the time, we think "Uh no, I don't want flowers, I am already paying $$" and then later on, hm, that looks pretty, (as my other sticker shock is gone) and I might order them!
I will say, I had less adds on this past year, ever. Including breakfast deliveries, flowers etc. But if they did order, they were ordering the fruit, cheese and cider. It is almost as if they bring flowers home already, then head out (if it is a special occasion)?.
Click to expand...
Like your program because you can put in photos of the add ons.
Yes, I have too many in the online booking list. I keep taking them out and then putting them back in! (Did that last night and had someone take an add on that I had added like 5 minutes before!)
Good idea to send it out with the email. I have a link to the add ons in the one I send out, when I remember to send it. Sigh. I just realized I hadn't sent thank you's at all in Dec. I don't know how I missed that.
 
It is like the teas here. Guests get excited to think there are over 100 varieties to choose from. then when they get here, they stand in front of the tea cabinet saying Og my God!!! and then choose English Breakfast. Even though I tell them if they choose something they decide they do not care for, we will just toss it out and rinse the cup to start over. they still choose the same old, same old. Overwhelmed.
 
gillumhouse said:
It is like the teas here. Guests get excited to think there are over 100 varieties to choose from. then when they get here, they stand in front of the tea cabinet saying Og my God!!! and then choose English Breakfast. Even though I tell them if they choose something they decide they do not care for, we will just toss it out and rinse the cup to start over. they still choose the same old, same old. Overwhelmed..
Click to expand...
Don't let them pick. Ask questions- Are you adventurous? Romantic? Young at heart? And then give them a tea that is adventurous, romantic or young at heart! Or tell them- I sense you're.... and this is the tea for you! Then let them know they can toss it if you got it wrong, but at least they tried something different!
I am not a tea drinker. What do I pick when given the choice? Lapsang Souchong. Or really strong English tea. Or Moroccan Mint. Weird.
 
Joey Bloggs said:
Too many won't sell. In fact it will overwhelm people. For the program I use when you have them show up as add ons when they reserve three is almost too many! Unless you have a separate page just for add ons. BUT - the thing I think is best is to send an add on with your "your reservation is just 4 days away..." or what ever you send. (I am not sending them right now due to some snafus).
At the time, we think "Uh no, I don't want flowers, I am already paying $$" and then later on, hm, that looks pretty, (as my other sticker shock is gone) and I might order them!
I will say, I had less adds on this past year, ever. Including breakfast deliveries, flowers etc. But if they did order, they were ordering the fruit, cheese and cider. It is almost as if they bring flowers home already, then head out (if it is a special occasion)?.
Click to expand...
Joey Bloggs said:
...the thing I think is best is to send an add on with your "your reservation is just 4 days away..." or what ever you send.
Click to expand...
How do they let you know what they want? How do they pay? They call or e-mail and you charge their card manually?
 
I have 3 add ons. 1 late arrival snack (stole that idea from someone else), 1 grocery delivery, 1 reusable shopping bag and a print of a painting one of our guests painted of my cottages.
ummmm, don't forget that you are in business to rent rooms...
 
I sell books specific to the area and logo wear. Also a historic DVD.
I do postcards but they are a poor seller. I tried other bits and pieces but they did not sell.
Well not well enough for the hassle.
 
Arkansawyer said:
Joey Bloggs said:
Too many won't sell. In fact it will overwhelm people. For the program I use when you have them show up as add ons when they reserve three is almost too many! Unless you have a separate page just for add ons. BUT - the thing I think is best is to send an add on with your "your reservation is just 4 days away..." or what ever you send. (I am not sending them right now due to some snafus).
At the time, we think "Uh no, I don't want flowers, I am already paying $$" and then later on, hm, that looks pretty, (as my other sticker shock is gone) and I might order them!
I will say, I had less adds on this past year, ever. Including breakfast deliveries, flowers etc. But if they did order, they were ordering the fruit, cheese and cider. It is almost as if they bring flowers home already, then head out (if it is a special occasion)?.
Click to expand...
Joey Bloggs said:
...the thing I think is best is to send an add on with your "your reservation is just 4 days away..." or what ever you send.
Click to expand...
How do they let you know what they want? How do they pay? They call or e-mail and you charge their card manually?
.
Click to expand...
Arkansawyer said:
Joey Bloggs said:
...the thing I think is best is to send an add on with your "your reservation is just 4 days away..." or what ever you send.
Click to expand...
How do they let you know what they want? How do they pay? They call or e-mail and you charge their card manually?
Click to expand...
If I get 'after the fact' add ons it just goes on their statement that they pay when they arrive. If I have to put a deposit down for something then I explain to the guest THEIR card is used. Usually guests call with the add ons.
 
Arkansawyer said:
Joey Bloggs said:
Too many won't sell. In fact it will overwhelm people. For the program I use when you have them show up as add ons when they reserve three is almost too many! Unless you have a separate page just for add ons. BUT - the thing I think is best is to send an add on with your "your reservation is just 4 days away..." or what ever you send. (I am not sending them right now due to some snafus).
At the time, we think "Uh no, I don't want flowers, I am already paying $$" and then later on, hm, that looks pretty, (as my other sticker shock is gone) and I might order them!
I will say, I had less adds on this past year, ever. Including breakfast deliveries, flowers etc. But if they did order, they were ordering the fruit, cheese and cider. It is almost as if they bring flowers home already, then head out (if it is a special occasion)?.
Click to expand...
Joey Bloggs said:
...the thing I think is best is to send an add on with your "your reservation is just 4 days away..." or what ever you send.
Click to expand...
How do they let you know what they want? How do they pay? They call or e-mail and you charge their card manually?
.
Click to expand...
Arkansawyer said:
Joey Bloggs said:
...the thing I think is best is to send an add on with your "your reservation is just 4 days away..." or what ever you send.
Click to expand...
How do they let you know what they want? How do they pay? They call or e-mail and you charge their card manually?
Click to expand...
They reply back via email and I add it to their reservation manually. or they can call. I don't charge til check out here (so I can add anything on til then). If it is a package, then they pre-pay since I usually have a third party involved, which means I pay the third party up front.
 
Como Depot said:
I sell books specific to the area and logo wear. Also a historic DVD.
I do postcards but they are a poor seller. I tried other bits and pieces but they did not sell.
Well not well enough for the hassle..
Click to expand...
Como Depot said:
I sell books specific to the area and logo wear. Also a historic DVD.
I do postcards but they are a poor seller. I tried other bits and pieces but they did not sell.
Well not well enough for the hassle.
Click to expand...
Hey Como Depot you have been a member here for 4 years? Also your URL says website is under construction, go to FB page. Maybe you should share your FB on your signature line instead?
I found you on Facebook and there are no photos of the B&B. Is this part of the ghost town appeal?
Just wanted to let you know. Share with us when you can! We would love to like your FB page and meet you finally. :)
 

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