Guest Houses | From the Average to Exceptional.

In the first half of 2007 Web Design BT was commissioned to design a website for a guesthouse located in Bordeaux, France. Prior to the launch of the website the establishment was an average business receiving all bookings through traditional offline marketing and passing trade. The guesthouse is located on a relatively busy road close to the ferry, which delivers passengers from the Bordeaux Winelands into the centre of Bordeaux. The position of the guesthouse has always been a strong contributing factor to the establishment’s success for many years.

After some research and discussion with the clients, we commenced with the design of the project using the traditional burgundy colours that are surprisingly popular on many French hospitality websites. The site was launched in the middle of 2007 with a supporting online marketing campaign.

Since the launch of the website business immediately started to increase. Within the first 7 days of the website being launched it generated sufficient business to recover the entire website development and advertising cost – an amazing performance. This trend has continued with the summer of 2008 seeing over 75% of all bookings being sourced online and secured through the website. The key to the success … the creation of a well designed website supported by a structured and managed online marketing campaign.

The success of Villa St Simon has been very encouraging for the owners who have recently decided to expand their business. We are currently discussing a website for a new guesthouse they have recently purchased.