Monthly Q & A

Mary C. | 16 April 2004 |

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Monthly Q&A

Question: Does it hurt my web site to have other domain names point to my web site? I now have madison-wisconsin-bed-and-breakfast.com and new-glarus-wisconsin-bed-and-breakfast.com (both in Yahoo Directory) point to my cameorose.com web site. I am thinking of having my wisconsin-bed-and-breakfast.com point to either cameorose.com or innwisconsin.com? What would you reccommend Gary Bahr, Cameo Rose Victorian Country Inn www.cameorose.com

Answer: We know of dozens of websites that have multiple domains pointing to the same website and have not seen any of them damaged by this technique. While this strategy used to create more search engine traffic years ago, it has very little impact these days. We have yet to see a website penalized for using this technique! That said, we are cautious because it could one day penalize you if the search engines decide this technique is unacceptable.

Question: Are you aware of whether or not it is worth while for smaller inns to pursue being listed on GDS? Belma Marshall, Dutch Iris Inn www.dutchirisinn.com

Answer: The GDS undoubtably offers a source of reservations that would not otherwise come your way. However, it can be a headache to administer, the bookings are at a reduced profit, and many of the big players don’t want anything to do with a small properties offering only a few bookable rooms. Smaller properties that try the GDS are usually disapointed don’t feel they profit from the experience. While it is a tough sell now, we recommend that you keep your eye on future developments: it will likely get easier and cheaper to book some of your rooms on the GDS.

Question: I have heard about browser search phrases, and that all new computers (not macs) with Windows and internet browsers already installed have the capability to use the browser to search the internet, and that if someone has purchased the search phrase used, the browser using that phrase will be automaticalyl directed to that site instead of getting a list of sites. What do you know about this? Sarah Dolk, Albuquerque Bed and Breakfast Association. www.abqbandb.com

Answer: There are many new companies selling keyword phrases to businesses. Typically, they cold call you and offer a keywords phrase for a year for several hundred dollars. Their software "interrupts" a search done by a browser and puts you in front of searches done on all the major search engines. The problem is that only searchers who have downloaded the companies proprietary browser add-on will see your results. Furthermore, the results feel real "spammy" and "pop-uppy" — something you may not want to associate with.
We have and currently are experimenting with these services, but have been disapointed by the results and are uncomfortable with the technique they use. We recommend you steer clear.

Question: If someone has only a limited amount of time (say an hour a week) to spend on internet marketing, what activities to you recommend to get the highest impact when: 1. Web site has just been developed and you are doing the intial marketing 2. Web site has been up and running, and you have been doing marketing for a while Sue Erwin, Fox Hill B&B www.foxhillbb.com

Answer: Assuming you have a bit of a budget to buy ads, I recommend you start a modest Overture and Google PPC campaign (even $25 per month each goes a long way). I also recommend you sign up for some of the leading lodging directories because they will send nice amounts of qualified traffic to your website. Once you have been up and running, spend more time analyzing the return on your ad buys and drop the resources that don’t work as well. Also, spend your spare time searching and signing up for free lodging directories, destination guides, and niche resources.