What are the biggest headaches you encounter with your online presence?

[email protected] said:

my biggest problem? is you put everything on the web and no one reads it.

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Innkeep said:

The biggest gripe I have with my online presence is all the phone calls I get from alleged experts in SEO who want to get my site to the first page of Google. If I had half as many phone calls to make reservations as I have nuisance calls I would be happier. Some days, like today for instance I have had 5 from the SEO gang and 1 from somebody who will lower my credit card processing fees and 1 from somebody wanting to sell me ad space in a never-read publication. If you could make my site invisible to all the trolls you'd get my business in a heartbeat!.

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Innkeep said:

The biggest gripe I have with my online presence is all the phone calls I get from alleged experts in SEO who want to get my site to the first page of Google. If I had half as many phone calls to make reservations as I have nuisance calls I would be happier. Some days, like today for instance I have had 5 from the SEO gang and 1 from somebody who will lower my credit card processing fees and 1 from somebody wanting to sell me ad space in a never-read publication. If you could make my site invisible to all the trolls you'd get my business in a heartbeat!

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Madeleine said:

Innkeep said:

The biggest gripe I have with my online presence is all the phone calls I get from alleged experts in SEO who want to get my site to the first page of Google. If I had half as many phone calls to make reservations as I have nuisance calls I would be happier. Some days, like today for instance I have had 5 from the SEO gang and 1 from somebody who will lower my credit card processing fees and 1 from somebody wanting to sell me ad space in a never-read publication. If you could make my site invisible to all the trolls you'd get my business in a heartbeat!.

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Innkeep said:

The biggest gripe I have with my online presence is all the phone calls I get from alleged experts in SEO who want to get my site to the first page of Google. If I had half as many phone calls to make reservations as I have nuisance calls I would be happier. Some days, like today for instance I have had 5 from the SEO gang and 1 from somebody who will lower my credit card processing fees and 1 from somebody wanting to sell me ad space in a never-read publication. If you could make my site invisible to all the trolls you'd get my business in a heartbeat!

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We got a phone that allows call blocking...
.

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gillumhouse said:

Madeleine said:

Innkeep said:

The biggest gripe I have with my online presence is all the phone calls I get from alleged experts in SEO who want to get my site to the first page of Google. If I had half as many phone calls to make reservations as I have nuisance calls I would be happier. Some days, like today for instance I have had 5 from the SEO gang and 1 from somebody who will lower my credit card processing fees and 1 from somebody wanting to sell me ad space in a never-read publication. If you could make my site invisible to all the trolls you'd get my business in a heartbeat!.

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Innkeep said:

The biggest gripe I have with my online presence is all the phone calls I get from alleged experts in SEO who want to get my site to the first page of Google. If I had half as many phone calls to make reservations as I have nuisance calls I would be happier. Some days, like today for instance I have had 5 from the SEO gang and 1 from somebody who will lower my credit card processing fees and 1 from somebody wanting to sell me ad space in a never-read publication. If you could make my site invisible to all the trolls you'd get my business in a heartbeat!

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We got a phone that allows call blocking...
.

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Does it block the VOIP numbers that "is a non-working" number.
.

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gillumhouse said:

Does it block the VOIP numbers that "is a non-working" number.

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EmptyNest said:

If your fishing for clients, most people here are pretty web savvy and have found what they want already or we who know better steer them in the right direction..

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EmptyNest said:

If your fishing for clients, most people here are pretty web savvy and have found what they want already or we who know better steer them in the right direction..

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K9 said:

Keeping the site updated. I only have that issue because the site is controlled by the man who designed it. I cannot go in whenever I want and update or change things. It's frustrating that I have to rack up a list before I send him changes..

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Mary at Bridgewater Inn and Cottage said:

[email protected] said:

my biggest problem? is you put everything on the web and no one reads it.

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camberly.....you right on the button and I send a Confirmation with all info that is 80% never printed out or read., So when they get here, they don't know what room, where to enter, who I am, is breakfast served ?, etc, ect.
.

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Joey Bloggs said:

If anyone is ever brave enough and it matters, have an innmate or two plan a fictional trip to your place and let them go through all the steps to reserve online. You can get some valuable feedback this way, and it won't cost you anything. Of course, sending the innmate a big cyber hug is free.
Perhaps your site is NOT user friendly, perhaps your online reservation system is overly complicated, perhaps there is no incentive to book online and put a credit card OUT THERE for a possible hack, perhaps...they just want to speak to someone, why? Maybe the website is too vague about who they will be staying with? Giving their money to?
I know many of you say they need to talk to a person, or you need to, but maybe there is so little if ANY information on your website about the innkeepers? There is one here who has a menu ABOUT US and has no smiling innkeepers, nothing personal there..

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Madeleine said:

Joey Bloggs said:

If anyone is ever brave enough and it matters, have an innmate or two plan a fictional trip to your place and let them go through all the steps to reserve online. You can get some valuable feedback this way, and it won't cost you anything. Of course, sending the innmate a big cyber hug is free.
Perhaps your site is NOT user friendly, perhaps your online reservation system is overly complicated, perhaps there is no incentive to book online and put a credit card OUT THERE for a possible hack, perhaps...they just want to speak to someone, why? Maybe the website is too vague about who they will be staying with? Giving their money to?
I know many of you say they need to talk to a person, or you need to, but maybe there is so little if ANY information on your website about the innkeepers? There is one here who has a menu ABOUT US and has no smiling innkeepers, nothing personal there..

Click to expand...

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)
.

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Madeleine said:

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)

Click to expand...

Flower said:

Mary at Bridgewater Inn and Cottage said:

[email protected] said:

my biggest problem? is you put everything on the web and no one reads it.

Click to expand...

camberly.....you right on the button and I send a Confirmation with all info that is 80% never printed out or read., So when they get here, they don't know what room, where to enter, who I am, is breakfast served ?, etc, ect.
.

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I agree whole heartily. I have a reservation button yet they seldom use it .I send out confirmation yet they do not reply to saying they received it.
I have companies trying to do our seo work and promising they will get me on the first few pages of g oogl. Yea right!!!! silly people have not done their home work. USA companies trying getting new business when they have no idea where we are?
Our web site we have control can edit any time we want . We can change pixs any time at no cost. We can change our format at no cost . Our company reply to any E Mail question we have, with in a day or two. Or we can phone them and they will answerer it on the spot.
My biggest complaint is we can provide all the info needed ...BUT ! people just don't be bothered to read!!!
.

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Joey Bloggs said:

Madeleine said:

Joey Bloggs said:

If anyone is ever brave enough and it matters, have an innmate or two plan a fictional trip to your place and let them go through all the steps to reserve online. You can get some valuable feedback this way, and it won't cost you anything. Of course, sending the innmate a big cyber hug is free.
Perhaps your site is NOT user friendly, perhaps your online reservation system is overly complicated, perhaps there is no incentive to book online and put a credit card OUT THERE for a possible hack, perhaps...they just want to speak to someone, why? Maybe the website is too vague about who they will be staying with? Giving their money to?
I know many of you say they need to talk to a person, or you need to, but maybe there is so little if ANY information on your website about the innkeepers? There is one here who has a menu ABOUT US and has no smiling innkeepers, nothing personal there..

Click to expand...

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)

Click to expand...

I think you have a Q&A for commonly asked questions, if I remember correctly.
Question for you, in your town, are there many SHARED baths? Just wondering. Is it something they encounter "there" moreso than not, or just asking in general because every single B&B has a shared baths. Remember that gal here a month ago "You would be surprised" she told me. When I said there are not that many shared baths in U.S. B&B's these days...
.

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Joey Bloggs said:

Madeleine said:

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)

Click to expand...

I think you have a Q&A for commonly asked questions, if I remember correctly.
Question for you, in your town, are there many SHARED baths? Just wondering. Is it something they encounter "there" moreso than not, or just asking in general because every single B&B has a shared baths. Remember that gal here a month ago "You would be surprised" she told me. When I said there are not that many shared baths in U.S. B&B's these days...

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Madeleine said:

Joey Bloggs said:

If anyone is ever brave enough and it matters, have an innmate or two plan a fictional trip to your place and let them go through all the steps to reserve online. You can get some valuable feedback this way, and it won't cost you anything. Of course, sending the innmate a big cyber hug is free.
Perhaps your site is NOT user friendly, perhaps your online reservation system is overly complicated, perhaps there is no incentive to book online and put a credit card OUT THERE for a possible hack, perhaps...they just want to speak to someone, why? Maybe the website is too vague about who they will be staying with? Giving their money to?
I know many of you say they need to talk to a person, or you need to, but maybe there is so little if ANY information on your website about the innkeepers? There is one here who has a menu ABOUT US and has no smiling innkeepers, nothing personal there..

Click to expand...

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)

Click to expand...

I think you have a Q&A for commonly asked questions, if I remember correctly.
Question for you, in your town, are there many SHARED baths? Just wondering. Is it something they encounter "there" moreso than not, or just asking in general because every single B&B has a shared baths. Remember that gal here a month ago "You would be surprised" she told me. When I said there are not that many shared baths in U.S. B&B's these days...
.

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

Madeleine said:

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)

Click to expand...

I think you have a Q&A for commonly asked questions, if I remember correctly.
Question for you, in your town, are there many SHARED baths? Just wondering. Is it something they encounter "there" moreso than not, or just asking in general because every single B&B has a shared baths. Remember that gal here a month ago "You would be surprised" she told me. When I said there are not that many shared baths in U.S. B&B's these days...

Click to expand...

ZERO shared baths in town here. But, like you encountered, someone who has found them somewhere and doesn't want that experience again.
Here's a share from this weekend...guests took room with bath across the hall. Not an issue for them at all. Guy told me he read everything on the website (and I probably could have given him a quiz!) and said he was very happy about the DETAIL on the site about where the bathroom was. They've been snookered before. They don't mind the bath across but they want to know in advance.
I think guests either have found shared baths they weren't expecting or they've been told to ask about things that really bother them.
Then again, I do have all those reviews that say the baths are shared so maybe they read those.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Madeleine said:

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)

Click to expand...

I think you have a Q&A for commonly asked questions, if I remember correctly.
Question for you, in your town, are there many SHARED baths? Just wondering. Is it something they encounter "there" moreso than not, or just asking in general because every single B&B has a shared baths. Remember that gal here a month ago "You would be surprised" she told me. When I said there are not that many shared baths in U.S. B&B's these days...

Click to expand...

ZERO shared baths in town here. But, like you encountered, someone who has found them somewhere and doesn't want that experience again.
Here's a share from this weekend...guests took room with bath across the hall. Not an issue for them at all. Guy told me he read everything on the website (and I probably could have given him a quiz!) and said he was very happy about the DETAIL on the site about where the bathroom was. They've been snookered before. They don't mind the bath across but they want to know in advance.
I think guests either have found shared baths they weren't expecting or they've been told to ask about things that really bother them.
Then again, I do have all those reviews that say the baths are shared so maybe they read those.

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

Madeleine said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Madeleine said:

Joey Bloggs said:

If anyone is ever brave enough and it matters, have an innmate or two plan a fictional trip to your place and let them go through all the steps to reserve online. You can get some valuable feedback this way, and it won't cost you anything. Of course, sending the innmate a big cyber hug is free.
Perhaps your site is NOT user friendly, perhaps your online reservation system is overly complicated, perhaps there is no incentive to book online and put a credit card OUT THERE for a possible hack, perhaps...they just want to speak to someone, why? Maybe the website is too vague about who they will be staying with? Giving their money to?
I know many of you say they need to talk to a person, or you need to, but maybe there is so little if ANY information on your website about the innkeepers? There is one here who has a menu ABOUT US and has no smiling innkeepers, nothing personal there..

Click to expand...

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)

Click to expand...

I think you have a Q&A for commonly asked questions, if I remember correctly.
Question for you, in your town, are there many SHARED baths? Just wondering. Is it something they encounter "there" moreso than not, or just asking in general because every single B&B has a shared baths. Remember that gal here a month ago "You would be surprised" she told me. When I said there are not that many shared baths in U.S. B&B's these days...
.

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

Madeleine said:

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)

Click to expand...

I think you have a Q&A for commonly asked questions, if I remember correctly.
Question for you, in your town, are there many SHARED baths? Just wondering. Is it something they encounter "there" moreso than not, or just asking in general because every single B&B has a shared baths. Remember that gal here a month ago "You would be surprised" she told me. When I said there are not that many shared baths in U.S. B&B's these days...

Click to expand...

ZERO shared baths in town here. But, like you encountered, someone who has found them somewhere and doesn't want that experience again.
Here's a share from this weekend...guests took room with bath across the hall. Not an issue for them at all. Guy told me he read everything on the website (and I probably could have given him a quiz!) and said he was very happy about the DETAIL on the site about where the bathroom was. They've been snookered before. They don't mind the bath across but they want to know in advance.
I think guests either have found shared baths they weren't expecting or they've been told to ask about things that really bother them.
Then again, I do have all those reviews that say the baths are shared so maybe they read those.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Madeleine said:

I think a lot of guests who decide to call instead of book online are simply tired. They have looked at 10 websites, can't remember what they saw and decide to call to see if someone can explain things to them.
There are quite a few times guests said, 'I thought you had this (or that, or did something we don't do),' because they had looked at so many places they forgot what they read.
The questions most guests ask are answered on our home page. They don't even need to search out the answers but they are tired of reading. (Top questions: can I walk to..., are the baths private..., are there any restaurants nearby?)

Click to expand...

I think you have a Q&A for commonly asked questions, if I remember correctly.
Question for you, in your town, are there many SHARED baths? Just wondering. Is it something they encounter "there" moreso than not, or just asking in general because every single B&B has a shared baths. Remember that gal here a month ago "You would be surprised" she told me. When I said there are not that many shared baths in U.S. B&B's these days...

Click to expand...

ZERO shared baths in town here. But, like you encountered, someone who has found them somewhere and doesn't want that experience again.
Here's a share from this weekend...guests took room with bath across the hall. Not an issue for them at all. Guy told me he read everything on the website (and I probably could have given him a quiz!) and said he was very happy about the DETAIL on the site about where the bathroom was. They've been snookered before. They don't mind the bath across but they want to know in advance.
I think guests either have found shared baths they weren't expecting or they've been told to ask about things that really bother them.
Then again, I do have all those reviews that say the baths are shared so maybe they read those.

Click to expand...

The one complaint I have heard about the "Hallway Bath" is that it is on another level. There was an inn on this forum who had this situation. Maybe more than one. I think a couple of us have stayed at places as this, it did not say it was a different floor to reach the restroom. I call that "Camping"
.

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