So you’ve finally made the leap and purchased a vacation rental software (hopefully, Roomify for Accommodations!) that meets your needs and showcases your property as it deserves to be showcased. The next step is populating the website with content. We posted last week on selecting the proper photos, and while this is a very important part of bringing your site up to speed, it is not the only part. The descriptions of your property and other pieces of text should not be overlooked. Here are three tips for making the most of your words:
Write in bite sized pieces
Hopefully you got that bit of irony, (bite sized heading on creating bite sized headings. I know. Hilarious.) but the principle is a good one. For internet reading, people do not want to invest hours pouring over what you have to say. They want to skim and get the gist of it. So make your content skim able.
Use personal details
When people choose a vacation rental over a hotel or resort, they are looking for something unique. They don’t want the cookie cutter experience, they want a personalized piece of human exchange. You can help assure them this will be their experience by making your descriptions and information story like. Tell them how and why you acquired the property – what set it apart in your mind? Readers are predisposed to be more receptive to information that follows a narrative. Why do you think those vignettes at the beginning of your psychology textbook chapters stuck in your mind far better than the lists of terms and definitions?
Don’t be in the dark
Be aware of and address the customer’s concerns and questions. If you know you are one of fifteen similar rentals in the area, don’t be afraid to acknowledge it. Instead of being afraid of the competition, use this information to illustrate why you are a cut above the others, or in what area you can serve your guests better. Maybe your property is kid friendly while theirs is not. Find your angle and don’t be afraid to work it.
Starting up a new website can be a little intimidating, but if you simply keep in mind a few key tips when developing your visual and written content, you can soon have a functional, effective, and beautiful website.