Life Changing Decision

[Innkeeper To Go]

There has been a lot of good sound advice here, so I only have a couple of things to add at this point. -
1 - Even after you have your website up and running, it will take time to get it ranked. In order to make it work for you during this 'waiting period', you may want to invest in Google's sponsored listings. With the use of the right keywords, this could help to bring some traffic to your site and hopefully some paying guests to your inn.
2. Make sure that the rates have not sat idle during this time... and make sure they are increased as you add the needed amenities. CABBI may also shed some light on this matter as well.
Much luck with this venture. Remember, we are here to offer help and support..

Your right. I have a little background in SEO and hope to accelerate the ranking. I'm doing a lot of competition analysis to pin down rates. I know that she dropped rates quite a bit, perhaps to reflect economic conditions and less demand. But I'm also convinced that demand has dropped due to lack of marketing.
Greatly appreciate your support.
.

I'm doing a lot of competition analysis to pin down rates. I know that she dropped rates quite a bit, perhaps to reflect economic conditions and less demand. But I'm also convinced that demand has dropped due to lack of marketing.

Without knowing the particular inn, it's difficult to say with certainly just where the rates should be. But, that said, I've seen an awful lot of rate erosion in "the other wine country" over the last couple of years. And for most of the inns, it's just futile.
Sure, it's tough to compare rates with the giveaway rates of nearby cities. But there are and always will be folks willing to pay appropriate rates for wine country getaways, whether they're laid back casual inns or high-end luxurious resorts. Targeted marketing is the key to getting those guests, not reducing rates.
So in addition to looking at improving occupancy, be sure to look at improving rates at your aunt's inn.
Remember that all of your profit - all of your profit - is in the daily rate.
Strengthen ADR to its most sustainable level. In a 4-room inn, this is especially critical.

 

[nkeeprs]

The first thing I would do is get a new and fresh website with alot of key words so you can be found. I seem to get alot of hits from bedandbreakfast.com
If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system
try to get your Inn on tripadvisor.com Get alot of hits from that also.
The best of luck
Its alot of fun and of course the more you put into it the more you get out of it

 

[Breakfast Diva]

The first thing I would do is get a new and fresh website with alot of key words so you can be found. I seem to get alot of hits from bedandbreakfast.com
If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system
try to get your Inn on tripadvisor.com Get alot of hits from that also.
The best of luck
Its alot of fun and of course the more you put into it the more you get out of it.

If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system

An online reservation system is required!

 

[Innkeeper To Go]

The first thing I would do is get a new and fresh website with alot of key words so you can be found. I seem to get alot of hits from bedandbreakfast.com
If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system
try to get your Inn on tripadvisor.com Get alot of hits from that also.
The best of luck
Its alot of fun and of course the more you put into it the more you get out of it.

If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system

An online reservation system is required!
.

An online reservation system is required!

Absolutely.
It is not a nice-to-have or an afterthought.
It is absolutely necessary to your success.

 

[inndecision]

The first thing I would do is get a new and fresh website with alot of key words so you can be found. I seem to get alot of hits from bedandbreakfast.com
If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system
try to get your Inn on tripadvisor.com Get alot of hits from that also.
The best of luck
Its alot of fun and of course the more you put into it the more you get out of it.

If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system

An online reservation system is required!
.

Agreed. As soon as I get the website up that will be the first thing I do.

 

[Joey Camb]

The first thing I would do is get a new and fresh website with alot of key words so you can be found. I seem to get alot of hits from bedandbreakfast.com
If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system
try to get your Inn on tripadvisor.com Get alot of hits from that also.
The best of luck
Its alot of fun and of course the more you put into it the more you get out of it.

If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system

An online reservation system is required!
.

Agreed. As soon as I get the website up that will be the first thing I do.
.

Sounds like you have made your decision? lol you go girl!

 

[Emily Spiers]

The first thing I would do is get a new and fresh website with alot of key words so you can be found. I seem to get alot of hits from bedandbreakfast.com
If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system
try to get your Inn on tripadvisor.com Get alot of hits from that also.
The best of luck
Its alot of fun and of course the more you put into it the more you get out of it.

If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system

An online reservation system is required!
.

Agreed. As soon as I get the website up that will be the first thing I do.
.

Agreed. As soon as I get the website up that will be the first thing I do.

I think a decision has been reached!!! Onward and upward!

 

[gillumhouse]

The first thing I would do is get a new and fresh website with alot of key words so you can be found. I seem to get alot of hits from bedandbreakfast.com
If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system
try to get your Inn on tripadvisor.com Get alot of hits from that also.
The best of luck
Its alot of fun and of course the more you put into it the more you get out of it.

If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system

An online reservation system is required!
.

And both ReservationKey and Webervations are affordable. If there is a web site, there needs to be online rez. I am a total cheapskate and admit it. I have used both and both gave me what I needed - reservations at 2 a.m. while I slept.

 

[inndecision]

The first thing I would do is get a new and fresh website with alot of key words so you can be found. I seem to get alot of hits from bedandbreakfast.com
If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system
try to get your Inn on tripadvisor.com Get alot of hits from that also.
The best of luck
Its alot of fun and of course the more you put into it the more you get out of it.

If your funds can help out I suggest an online reservations system

An online reservation system is required!
.

Agreed. As soon as I get the website up that will be the first thing I do.
.

Agreed. As soon as I get the website up that will be the first thing I do.

I think a decision has been reached!!! Onward and upward!

.

Getting there. I appreciate your support and encouragement.