First time! -- Tips, tricks and warnings welcome...

[MPest101]

First time Running a B&B - 6 Rooms!
Anything you have to offer helps, I do read the site already and I'm learning alot!
Thanks in advance.

 

[muirford]

Welcome to the forum! I used to live in your neighborhood (first on East Ave, then on Oxford), when I was just out of college, long before I ever knew I would run a B&B. I loved the old houses there and all the great hangouts within walking distance.
I would suggest an updated website and professional pics for your B&B, as soon as you can talk the owners into it. If you can't afford to have someone do it for you, a good theme like the suite of themes from hermesthemes that are ready for small lodging properties and a managed Wordpress website from godaddy would go a long way.

 

[Breakfast Diva]

Ditto what Muirford said except the first thing you need to do is to let google know that you are not permanently closed! Do a google search withe the name of your b&b. See the big box on the right hand side? It says in red letters "permanently closed". You or the owners need to claim your google business page.

 

[MPest101]

First time Running a B&B - 6 Rooms!
Anything you have to offer helps, I do read the site already and I'm learning alot!
Thanks in advance.
*Added: The Website and internet stuff will be taken care of. I know it is not up to date, we are working on that =) The owner is in charge of this not me.

 

[MPest101]

Welcome to the forum! I used to live in your neighborhood (first on East Ave, then on Oxford), when I was just out of college, long before I ever knew I would run a B&B. I loved the old houses there and all the great hangouts within walking distance.
I would suggest an updated website and professional pics for your B&B, as soon as you can talk the owners into it. If you can't afford to have someone do it for you, a good theme like the suite of themes from hermesthemes that are ready for small lodging properties and a managed Wordpress website from godaddy would go a long way..

Oh neat! Thanks for the welcome! I also love this area =)
Yes, we are working on the site - It has not been updated and we are still getting the rooms ready - there's nothing in them to photograph yet. Also, I am a Pro-photographer so I have that covered
We are literally starting from scratch with this B&B.
Thanks for the feedback!

 

[MPest101]

Ditto what Muirford said except the first thing you need to do is to let google know that you are not permanently closed! Do a google search withe the name of your b&b. See the big box on the right hand side? It says in red letters "permanently closed". You or the owners need to claim your google business page..

Alright - I searched it, although I already knew it said that, but whats this claiming a business page thing about?
We are not actually open yet - but it will be soon.
Thank you

 

[Breakfast Diva]

Ditto what Muirford said except the first thing you need to do is to let google know that you are not permanently closed! Do a google search withe the name of your b&b. See the big box on the right hand side? It says in red letters "permanently closed". You or the owners need to claim your google business page..

Alright - I searched it, although I already knew it said that, but whats this claiming a business page thing about?
We are not actually open yet - but it will be soon.
Thank you
.

Alright - I searched it, although I already knew it said that, but whats this claiming a business page thing about?
We are not actually open yet - but it will be soon.
Thank you

The new owners need to get the password from the old owners for their business page. This page is VERY important for the biz. If google thinks you're closed, your b&b will not be listed on google maps and will not rank high on google searches for b&bs in your area. Try to get this fixed ASAP. It's ok that you're not open now, you can still fix it.

 

[happykeeper]

First time Running a B&B - 6 Rooms!
Anything you have to offer helps, I do read the site already and I'm learning alot!
Thanks in advance.
*Added: The Website and internet stuff will be taken care of. I know it is not up to date, we are working on that =) The owner is in charge of this not me.

.

Hmm. A red flag went up for me when you said "the owner is in charge of this not me."
One of THE most important things our 10 years has been the team approach to decision making. I assume you are on the forum with the owner's full blessing and that it is part of your business plan strategy.
Welcome to the forum just the same.

 

[Lee2014]

Ditto what Muirford said except the first thing you need to do is to let google know that you are not permanently closed! Do a google search withe the name of your b&b. See the big box on the right hand side? It says in red letters "permanently closed". You or the owners need to claim your google business page..

I saw the red box everyone is talking about. Then I saw an arrow on the red box so I clicked it. It opened up and said if this is not true, hit the report button. I did. Hopefully someone will hear from them soon.

 

[Lee2014]

Welcome to the INNspiring family! What you will need most is a skin of iron, ability to smile sweetly without looking too fake, fixer-er-up-er skills, and INNspiring!

 

[Jcam]

Welcome to the INNspiring family! What you will need most is a skin of iron, ability to smile sweetly without looking too fake, fixer-er-up-er skills, and INNspiring!

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and a really big roll of Duct tape

 

[MPest101]

Welcome to the INNspiring family! What you will need most is a skin of iron, ability to smile sweetly without looking too fake, fixer-er-up-er skills, and INNspiring!

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Thanks for the Welcome! The thick skin I am working on, The smile thing is not a problem (yet), I have always been pretty Handy, and I'm a member of INNspiring!!
Thanks for this =)

 

[MPest101]

Welcome to the INNspiring family! What you will need most is a skin of iron, ability to smile sweetly without looking too fake, fixer-er-up-er skills, and INNspiring!

.

and a really big roll of Duct tape
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LOL! Ok I'll go get some now

 

[Generic]

Welcome to the INNspiring family! What you will need most is a skin of iron, ability to smile sweetly without looking too fake, fixer-er-up-er skills, and INNspiring!

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and a really big roll of Duct tape
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LOL! Ok I'll go get some now
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Transparent duct tape too.

 

[user 26]

But is it duck tape or duct tape? Got into a lovely debate on facebook about that.
Either way, welcome!

 

[Lee2014]

Welcome to the INNspiring family! What you will need most is a skin of iron, ability to smile sweetly without looking too fake, fixer-er-up-er skills, and INNspiring!

.

Thanks for the Welcome! The thick skin I am working on, The smile thing is not a problem (yet), I have always been pretty Handy, and I'm a member of INNspiring!!
Thanks for this =)
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Look like you're starting off on the right foot then, even if you put the left foot out first!

Innkeeping is lots of fun, but LOTS of hard work. So get ready to enjoy the ride around the world without leaving the B&B! We have a couple from Germany right now.