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How to Market your Holiday Home: Hints, Tips and Advice

For many holiday home owners, marketing their property successfully is essential for business success.

Cottage owners come from a variety of different backgrounds, including farming or property development.  Even if you have some marketing experience you may want to learn more about digital marketing in particular.  If you're a complete beginner that's ok too, we all have different starting points.  We hope you find CountryCottagesOnline.Net's hints and tips on marketing your holiday home helpful.
 

Factors to Consider re Holiday Home Marketing and Promotion include:

• Understanding the Basics of Marketing
   
• Digital Marketing Basics Explained
   
• Presenting your Cottage at its Best
   
• Your Property's Decor
   
• Photos for your Holiday Home
   
• Your Holiday Cottage Pricing
   
• Understanding the importance of Statistics
   
• Taking Online Bookings

Do you Need to Improve your Decor?

As a general rule, the more appealing a holiday home looks, the easier it is to rent out. There are some people out there who are happy to stay in accommodation that hasn’t been updated or refurbished, but most people want something a little special on holiday so will be seeking nicely decorated and preferably comfortable accommodation.

Traditionally furnished rather than modern and stylish is fine, each property has its own unique style, but neutral calming tones appeal to most and bedding and linen should look well kept and appealing. 

Having a well equipped property is also important when it comes to guest feedback and satisfaction but most important with marketing your holiday home is having a good product to show off.

​Need some hints and tips on showing your holiday home off to its full potential, read our guide on presenting your cottage at its best.

Think about what it is that makes a holiday home welcoming and appealing. If your property looks a little tired and dated, it needn’t cost a fortune to put it right. Small touches like neutral good quality bed linen and cushions can help make a property more appealing. Avoid over personal touches and too much clutter but well placed inspirational and appealing decorative items are acceptable, provided there are not too many of them and they aren’t over personal.

Getting your Photos to Present your Holiday Cottage at its Best

Having well presented photos is really important when it comes to showing your property off at its best. Although to you, your property may be a second home or cherished holiday home, remember that people may well be expecting the same standards of good quality hotels or Bed and Breakfasts when looking at your accommodation and that is the standard that you need to aim for and present to potential guests.

Lights – soft low lighting should be on when you take photos i.e. lamps or low lights should be on, but if you have good views curtains should be open so that you get the best of both worlds. Main lights can be left off provided there is enough natural light coming in to give the room enough light.

Woodstoves or Open Fires – should be lit to show off how warm and cosy your property can look. When not lit, open fires or woodstoves can look dull and unappealing.

If you provide a welcome pack, why not take a picture of it? Showing guests what they can expect can help with managing expectations and help give your property more appeal.

Outside photos should be taken in good sunny weather, when your property will look appealing.  You should also experiment with taking various outdoor photos so that you can get your property at its best angle. Outdoor space such as gardens, patio areas and outdoor seating should be photographed to show how your property can be an enjoyable and great place to stay.

Your Holiday Home Pricing

When it comes to setting your pricing it is advisable to check out similar competitiors. Take a look at their pricing. It's important not to overprice or under-price your property. You can always offer late deals or special offers when your property fails to get booked out at your desired rate. Many websites, including ours have Special Offer and Late Availability sections that members can use during the advertising year (watch out though some sites charge extra for using these sections whereas others, including ours include use of these sections as part of your annual subscription).

We hope you've found this hints and tips helpful, if you have any suggestions or feedback, Countrycottagesonline.Net would be pleased to hear from you.