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JBloggs

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Just came across an inn with some photos I wanted to discuss with you. Have you ever sold a house via a realtor? If so, then you were told to strip it of all the "personal" stuff as people don't want to feel like they are in YOUR home, but buying THEIR house.
How does this thought transfer over to B&B photos? (website, blog, Facebook, directories, all avenues of marketing)
We know when we take a room photo, for instance, that even the smallest thing can distract and ruin the image. Ie a kleenex box too close to a lamp, or one side of a swag drapery lower than the other side. Sure we have drapery, kleenex and such and they are certainly uneven or cramped at times, but for the photo it needs to be clutter-free.
Have you considered retaking your room photos or adding more?
Or using a blog for some added oomph to the limited space on your website?
Have you tested taking most of the text out and making it mostly images and seeing what happens? Or putting the majority on text on a different page and allowing the images to do the speaking?
 
You are exactly on the nose about staging your photos. In addition to trying to honestly depict your establishment, you are trying to convey something abstract, i.e., a welcoming, hospitable environment.
Text is critical in web page design for it is one of the ways search engines spider your web site to rank the content according to relevancy. It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
Personally, I think both are critical. A picture IS worth a thousand words, so you better make sure it's saying what it needs to say. You can trim the fat out of a lot of text. Just say what you need to say then work to make that even more concise.
I always liked the saying concerning the proper way to write, "Why use a BIG word when a DIMINUTIVE word would do?"
 
You are exactly on the nose about staging your photos. In addition to trying to honestly depict your establishment, you are trying to convey something abstract, i.e., a welcoming, hospitable environment.
Text is critical in web page design for it is one of the ways search engines spider your web site to rank the content according to relevancy. It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
Personally, I think both are critical. A picture IS worth a thousand words, so you better make sure it's saying what it needs to say. You can trim the fat out of a lot of text. Just say what you need to say then work to make that even more concise.
I always liked the saying concerning the proper way to write, "Why use a BIG word when a DIMINUTIVE word would do?".
Proud Texan said:
It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
I never put my e-mail address on my website as text. Always put it as an image. I think it cuts down on spam to the e-mail address.
 
You are exactly on the nose about staging your photos. In addition to trying to honestly depict your establishment, you are trying to convey something abstract, i.e., a welcoming, hospitable environment.
Text is critical in web page design for it is one of the ways search engines spider your web site to rank the content according to relevancy. It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
Personally, I think both are critical. A picture IS worth a thousand words, so you better make sure it's saying what it needs to say. You can trim the fat out of a lot of text. Just say what you need to say then work to make that even more concise.
I always liked the saying concerning the proper way to write, "Why use a BIG word when a DIMINUTIVE word would do?".
Proud Texan said:
It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
I never put my e-mail address on my website as text. Always put it as an image. I think it cuts down on spam to the e-mail address.
.
Arkansawyer said:
Proud Texan said:
It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
I never put my e-mail address on my website as text. Always put it as an image. I think it cuts down on spam to the e-mail address.
And what's wrong with Viagra?
wink_smile.gif

 
You are exactly on the nose about staging your photos. In addition to trying to honestly depict your establishment, you are trying to convey something abstract, i.e., a welcoming, hospitable environment.
Text is critical in web page design for it is one of the ways search engines spider your web site to rank the content according to relevancy. It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
Personally, I think both are critical. A picture IS worth a thousand words, so you better make sure it's saying what it needs to say. You can trim the fat out of a lot of text. Just say what you need to say then work to make that even more concise.
I always liked the saying concerning the proper way to write, "Why use a BIG word when a DIMINUTIVE word would do?".
Proud Texan said:
It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
I never put my e-mail address on my website as text. Always put it as an image. I think it cuts down on spam to the e-mail address.
.
Arkansawyer said:
Proud Texan said:
It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
I never put my e-mail address on my website as text. Always put it as an image. I think it cuts down on spam to the e-mail address.
It may cut down on spam but the Google spiders won't find you and you will not get great listing for people to find you when they search for accommodations in your area, I think.
RIki
 
You are exactly on the nose about staging your photos. In addition to trying to honestly depict your establishment, you are trying to convey something abstract, i.e., a welcoming, hospitable environment.
Text is critical in web page design for it is one of the ways search engines spider your web site to rank the content according to relevancy. It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
Personally, I think both are critical. A picture IS worth a thousand words, so you better make sure it's saying what it needs to say. You can trim the fat out of a lot of text. Just say what you need to say then work to make that even more concise.
I always liked the saying concerning the proper way to write, "Why use a BIG word when a DIMINUTIVE word would do?".
Proud Texan said:
It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
I never put my e-mail address on my website as text. Always put it as an image. I think it cuts down on spam to the e-mail address.
.
Arkansawyer said:
Proud Texan said:
It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
I never put my e-mail address on my website as text. Always put it as an image. I think it cuts down on spam to the e-mail address.
It may cut down on spam but the Google spiders won't find you and you will not get great listing for people to find you when they search for accommodations in your area, I think.
RIki
.
egoodell said:
Arkansawyer said:
I never put my e-mail address on my website as text. Always put it as an image. I think it cuts down on spam to the e-mail address.
...the Google spiders won't find you and you will not get great listing for people to find you when they search for accommodations in your area, I think.
RIki
You think not putting my e-mail address as text will have that much effect on searches finding my website? With all the other stuff there, you think having the e-mail address listed, or not, makes that much difference? Do people search for us by our e-mail addresses? I can't imagine that.
 
Website aside, when you have a B&B and are listed with other sources, you need to list your email address there.
My suggestion is have a few variables of the email address put them out there, another on your own website and then others you use for correspondence, online ordering, etc.
I have the contact us populate the email subject line, which has been terrific so far. The form we had caused more issues. I never get spam on that one, but others on directories I do, and in fact ask them ALL to please protect our email addresses, some have forms, some you have to click to VIEW the email address.
 
Website aside, when you have a B&B and are listed with other sources, you need to list your email address there.
My suggestion is have a few variables of the email address put them out there, another on your own website and then others you use for correspondence, online ordering, etc.
I have the contact us populate the email subject line, which has been terrific so far. The form we had caused more issues. I never get spam on that one, but others on directories I do, and in fact ask them ALL to please protect our email addresses, some have forms, some you have to click to VIEW the email address..
Joey Bloggs said:
...when you have a B&B and are listed with other sources, you need to list your email address there...
The e-mail address IS there. It's just in graphic format rather than text. It's a PICTURE of the addrss. Looks exactly like the address does as text, but spam bots can't grab it and send you spam. To a human it looks just like [email protected] but to a spam bot reading the text on your website, it's invisible.
 
Website aside, when you have a B&B and are listed with other sources, you need to list your email address there.
My suggestion is have a few variables of the email address put them out there, another on your own website and then others you use for correspondence, online ordering, etc.
I have the contact us populate the email subject line, which has been terrific so far. The form we had caused more issues. I never get spam on that one, but others on directories I do, and in fact ask them ALL to please protect our email addresses, some have forms, some you have to click to VIEW the email address..
Joey Bloggs said:
...when you have a B&B and are listed with other sources, you need to list your email address there...
The e-mail address IS there. It's just in graphic format rather than text. It's a PICTURE of the addrss. Looks exactly like the address does as text, but spam bots can't grab it and send you spam. To a human it looks just like [email protected] but to a spam bot reading the text on your website, it's invisible.
.
Arkansawyer said:
Joey Bloggs said:
...when you have a B&B and are listed with other sources, you need to list your email address there...
The e-mail address IS there. It's just in graphic format rather than text. It's a PICTURE of the addrss. Looks exactly like the address does as text, but spam bots can't grab it and send you spam. To a human it looks just like [email protected] but to a spam bot reading the text on your website, it's invisible.
I understand what it is and why, I am saying when you go to list your place on the different marketing venues that we all use, you will not be able to give them an image, only the email address itself.
 
Website aside, when you have a B&B and are listed with other sources, you need to list your email address there.
My suggestion is have a few variables of the email address put them out there, another on your own website and then others you use for correspondence, online ordering, etc.
I have the contact us populate the email subject line, which has been terrific so far. The form we had caused more issues. I never get spam on that one, but others on directories I do, and in fact ask them ALL to please protect our email addresses, some have forms, some you have to click to VIEW the email address..
Joey Bloggs said:
...when you have a B&B and are listed with other sources, you need to list your email address there...
The e-mail address IS there. It's just in graphic format rather than text. It's a PICTURE of the addrss. Looks exactly like the address does as text, but spam bots can't grab it and send you spam. To a human it looks just like [email protected] but to a spam bot reading the text on your website, it's invisible.
.
Arkansawyer said:
Joey Bloggs said:
...when you have a B&B and are listed with other sources, you need to list your email address there...
The e-mail address IS there. It's just in graphic format rather than text. It's a PICTURE of the addrss. Looks exactly like the address does as text, but spam bots can't grab it and send you spam. To a human it looks just like [email protected] but to a spam bot reading the text on your website, it's invisible.
I understand what it is and why, I am saying when you go to list your place on the different marketing venues that we all use, you will not be able to give them an image, only the email address itself.
.
Joey Bloggs said:
...when you go to list your place on the different marketing venues that we all use, you will not be able to give them an image, only the email address itself.
Yes of course. I'm only talking about how it's not a good idea to post an e-mail address as text on your own website.
 
Proud Texan said:
You can always put an email form on your website. That way your email address is hidden...
Yes, that's the proper way to do it. Clicking on the e-mail address graphic, or a "Contact" link, takes them to the form.
I just see so many websites where people put their e-mail address right there as text, and they don't realize how much spam that can send their way.
 
You are exactly on the nose about staging your photos. In addition to trying to honestly depict your establishment, you are trying to convey something abstract, i.e., a welcoming, hospitable environment.
Text is critical in web page design for it is one of the ways search engines spider your web site to rank the content according to relevancy. It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
Personally, I think both are critical. A picture IS worth a thousand words, so you better make sure it's saying what it needs to say. You can trim the fat out of a lot of text. Just say what you need to say then work to make that even more concise.
I always liked the saying concerning the proper way to write, "Why use a BIG word when a DIMINUTIVE word would do?".
Proud Texan said:
It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
I never put my e-mail address on my website as text. Always put it as an image. I think it cuts down on spam to the e-mail address.
.
Arkansawyer said:
Proud Texan said:
It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
I never put my e-mail address on my website as text. Always put it as an image. I think it cuts down on spam to the e-mail address.
It may cut down on spam but the Google spiders won't find you and you will not get great listing for people to find you when they search for accommodations in your area, I think.
RIki
.
egoodell said:
Arkansawyer said:
Proud Texan said:
It is always better to use text rather than an image of text.
I never put my e-mail address on my website as text. Always put it as an image. I think it cuts down on spam to the e-mail address.
It may cut down on spam but the Google spiders won't find you and you will not get great listing for people to find you when they search for accommodations in your area, I think.
RIki
You can always put an email form on your website. That way your email address is hidden, but you still have created a way for prospects to contact you. Here's mine as an example: <Link Removed by PT>
 
Proud Texan said:
You can always put an email form on your website. That way your email address is hidden...
Yes, that's the proper way to do it. Clicking on the e-mail address graphic, or a "Contact" link, takes them to the form.
I just see so many websites where people put their e-mail address right there as text, and they don't realize how much spam that can send their way..
Our web host must have a great spam blocker then, because we have our email all over the web on our website and on all the directories, facebook etc. and we receive very little spam.
RIki
 
Proud Texan said:
You can always put an email form on your website. That way your email address is hidden...
Yes, that's the proper way to do it. Clicking on the e-mail address graphic, or a "Contact" link, takes them to the form.
I just see so many websites where people put their e-mail address right there as text, and they don't realize how much spam that can send their way..
Our web host must have a great spam blocker then, because we have our email all over the web on our website and on all the directories, facebook etc. and we receive very little spam.
RIki
.
egoodell said:
Our web host must have a great spam blocker then, because we have our email all over the web on our website and on all the directories, facebook etc. and we receive very little spam.
RIki
Ditto here. I was blocking all e-mails that did not have our name in the subject line for a few months. I blocked the China & India IPs that were spamming. Now I get maybe one or 2 spams a week which I think is a manageable amount.
BBBBob
 
Arkie people are fickle and impatient, if you think they will copy a gif or jpg and translate it into an email address you might be in for an awakening. If they are on a iPhone or such especially, they need to be able to CLICK and go... Speaking for myself, we are MOUSERS...we click away.
 
Arkie people are fickle and impatient, if you think they will copy a gif or jpg and translate it into an email address you might be in for an awakening. If they are on a iPhone or such especially, they need to be able to CLICK and go... Speaking for myself, we are MOUSERS...we click away..
Joey Bloggs said:
If they are on a iPhone or such especially, they need to be able to CLICK and go...
They click (tap, actually) to go to the webform just like people on a desktop. The image is linked to the contact form.
But on my own websites I have a "contact us" link that goes to the contact form. I don't display my e-mail address. I'm just saying that if you DO display your actual e-mail address, it's advisable to display it as a graphic rather than text. I'll continue to stand by that advice.
 
PERFECT!
From Jumping Rocks a video. and guess where? See the Social Media on this B&B!
Take Better Photos of Your Home, Inn or B&B
 
PERFECT!
From Jumping Rocks a video. and guess where? See the Social Media on this B&B!
Take Better Photos of Your Home, Inn or B&B.
Joey thanks so much for posting the Jumping Rocks video! Really useful. I'm planning to use a local professional photographer, but I'll sure have her watch this video before she goes to work!
I spent some time at the website of the Vermont B&B in the video. Really great photography (except the first breakfast photo is a bit out of focus...perhaps intentional, I'm no artist!). Amazing to see some of the stuff professionals know that most of us would never think of.
 
PERFECT!
From Jumping Rocks a video. and guess where? See the Social Media on this B&B!
Take Better Photos of Your Home, Inn or B&B.
Joey thanks so much for posting the Jumping Rocks video! Really useful. I'm planning to use a local professional photographer, but I'll sure have her watch this video before she goes to work!
I spent some time at the website of the Vermont B&B in the video. Really great photography (except the first breakfast photo is a bit out of focus...perhaps intentional, I'm no artist!). Amazing to see some of the stuff professionals know that most of us would never think of.
.
Arkansawyer said:
Joey thanks so much for posting the Jumping Rocks video! Really useful. I'm planning to use a local professional photographer, but I'll sure have her watch this video before she goes to work!
Those guys travel all across the country and they are extremely good at what they do. An excellent investment if they can fit you into their schedules. It's always great to go local, but there aren't many out there with their kind of industry experience.
 
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