Your Dream Directory?

Hello everyone,
I would like to get your input as to what you look for in a listing directory.
What would be included? What do other directories include that you think should be excluded?
Thanks!

We have too many right now, we are small family owned businesses, we have to choose wisely. The oldest directories would most likely have better SEO and they pay per clik many times. It will be hard to compete with that.
Most of us put our $ into our own websites and marketing vs directories, they are going bye bye the same way the travel guide books went.

Are you trying to start one? Don't waste your time.
There are plenty out there, we don't need anymore.
Innkeepers are not willing to pay to a unknown entity unless they are totally bamboozled and have no internet saavy.
Many are leaving the big boys even because they find people just googling for a B & B in a specific location. That seems to be it.

EmptyNest said:

Are you trying to start one? Don't waste your time.
There are plenty out there, we don't need anymore.
Innkeepers are not willing to pay to a unknown entity unless they are totally bamboozled and have no internet saavy.
Many are leaving the big boys even because they find people just googling for a B & B in a specific location. That seems to be it..

Click to expand...

I was considering starting one.
I see complaints about the big directories and the many fly-by-night directories, and I'd just like to get a feel about what is not currently being addressed.
(A listing directory may only be a single aspect.)

Nicholson said:

EmptyNest said:

Are you trying to start one? Don't waste your time.
There are plenty out there, we don't need anymore.
Innkeepers are not willing to pay to a unknown entity unless they are totally bamboozled and have no internet saavy.
Many are leaving the big boys even because they find people just googling for a B & B in a specific location. That seems to be it..

Click to expand...

I was considering starting one.
I see complaints about the big directories and the many fly-by-night directories, and I'd just like to get a feel about what is not currently being addressed.
(A listing directory may only be a single aspect.)
.

Click to expand...

It's called customer service and the BIG BOYS are getting real greedy and no customer service to speak of. the directory themselves are just fine. They have anything anyone could want...if you are willing to pay big bucks to a corporation.
As a start up, I doubt you would get many takers. Sorry..just being realistic here.

Nicholson said:

EmptyNest said:

Are you trying to start one? Don't waste your time.
There are plenty out there, we don't need anymore.
Innkeepers are not willing to pay to a unknown entity unless they are totally bamboozled and have no internet saavy.
Many are leaving the big boys even because they find people just googling for a B & B in a specific location. That seems to be it..

Click to expand...

I was considering starting one.
I see complaints about the big directories and the many fly-by-night directories, and I'd just like to get a feel about what is not currently being addressed.
(A listing directory may only be a single aspect.)
.

Click to expand...

I'll be honest, I'm listed on two directories and I get solicitation from all the other ones... and honestly they all get the same answer from me... show me the money. I want to see your traffic statistics, keywords and advertising budget. So far, no takers. They just want the money but offer no proof of traffic. And even the ones that offer to list me for free... I haven't seen their name on my Google Analytics in a whole year. No traffic.

Nicholson said:

EmptyNest said:

Are you trying to start one? Don't waste your time.
There are plenty out there, we don't need anymore.
Innkeepers are not willing to pay to a unknown entity unless they are totally bamboozled and have no internet saavy.
Many are leaving the big boys even because they find people just googling for a B & B in a specific location. That seems to be it..

Click to expand...

I was considering starting one.
I see complaints about the big directories and the many fly-by-night directories, and I'd just like to get a feel about what is not currently being addressed.
(A listing directory may only be a single aspect.)
.

Click to expand...

Nicholson said:

I was considering starting one.
I see complaints about the big directories and the many fly-by-night directories, and I'd just like to get a feel about what is not currently being addressed.
(A listing directory may only be a single aspect.)

Click to expand...

We have never subscribed to any fly by night directories. We don't need another one, as mentioned innkeepers are LEAVING THEM not joining new unproven new directories. They are going away, not coming. I would use your energy on something else. This is advice from those who have been in this business for more than 10 years (on this forum) - the directories are becoming redundant. Find SOMETHING new to discover and sell. All the best.

Joey Bloggs said:

Nicholson said:

EmptyNest said:

Are you trying to start one? Don't waste your time.
There are plenty out there, we don't need anymore.
Innkeepers are not willing to pay to a unknown entity unless they are totally bamboozled and have no internet saavy.
Many are leaving the big boys even because they find people just googling for a B & B in a specific location. That seems to be it..

Click to expand...

I was considering starting one.
I see complaints about the big directories and the many fly-by-night directories, and I'd just like to get a feel about what is not currently being addressed.
(A listing directory may only be a single aspect.)
.

Click to expand...

Nicholson said:

I was considering starting one.
I see complaints about the big directories and the many fly-by-night directories, and I'd just like to get a feel about what is not currently being addressed.
(A listing directory may only be a single aspect.)

Click to expand...

We have never subscribed to any fly by night directories. We don't need another one, as mentioned innkeepers are LEAVING THEM not joining new unproven new directories. They are going away, not coming. I would use your energy on something else. This is advice from those who have been in this business for more than 10 years (on this forum) - the directories are becoming redundant. Find SOMETHING new to discover and sell. All the best.
.

Click to expand...

Nicholson, take a look at InnRewards.com as an idea for a "directory" that is doing something different... (built by innkeepers for innkeepers and their guests).

We are having a hard enough time convincing the members of this Forum who actually KNOW the creator of a FREE to innkeepers directory to join IT. That is sad - but their choice. We cannot do SEO until there are enough listed on it to keep people coming back. Do not waste energy.

I left the large directories years ago and haven't looked back. I pay a local tourist website - completely necessary and right now, I have a business listing with TA (that I won't renew next year). Most of us know enough SEO to get ourselves found in a search, and don't need the directories. I say it's a waste of your time.