| Tech talk
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Three Tips for Better Search Engine Rankings
Search Engine Optimization, or "SEO," is basically making improvements to your website so your potential customers can find you easier on search engines such as Google, Yahoo and MSN.
Many business owners mistakenly assume that SEO requires technological expertise that is beyond them, when in fact some of the most important tricks for better rankings are extremely simple.
At very least, website owners need to understand a few of these basics so they can ensure their hired 'experts' are doing their job.
There are a number of factors that help improve a site's ranking. Today we'd like to talk about the three most important ones.
1. Search-Friendly URLs
Your URLs (the actual addresses of the pages of your site) need to be as short as possible, but should include 'keywords' that are relevant to the content of the page. Keywords are words that your potential customers would type into Google in order to find you. Your home page, ideally, will be the name of your B&B and 'deeper' pages -- such as your page for pricing, location or photos -- should include a fews words like 'bed and breakfast' or 'victoria', for example.
Here are examples of three URLs focused on "Victoria B&B" starting from worst to best:
www.yourname.
com?id=3223
-- poor
www.yourname.
com/page/home/
homepage
bedandbreakfast
victoria.html
-- better
www.yourname.
com/victoria
bandb.html
-- best
2. Quality Content
Search engines such as Google have computers that periodically read every page on the Internet and then rank each page according to complicated (and secret) formulas.
One thing is for sure though -- the text on your page plays a big part in your rankings. This is called 'content.'
If the search engines can see that you are providing quality information on a certain subject, then they will rank that page favourably. If the content is well written and user friendly, then it probably is also search-friendly. If not, sprinkle in a few keywords afterwards. If your page is about Vancouver homes then mentioning "Vancouver homes" a few times throughout the content will give your page a higher potential to rank for "Vancouver Homes." But don't overdo it, three or four times is plenty.
3. Link Building
Search
engines keep track of who has links on their websites to your site.
The more sites that link to your site the better. However, one good-quality link can be worth dozens of lesser-quality links.
Here are some characteristics of a good-quality link:
The link is from a site with the same theme as your site.
The link is from a page on a site that contains content similar to your site.
Text links are better than links from images. An example of a quality link is from www.bctravel
guide.ca, which comes from the 'Bed and Breakfast' section of a B.C. travel site. In addition to sending customers directly to your website, this link will help your own site rank better on its own.
When you consider how many of your customers have seen your website before calling you, you can't ignore the importance of optimizing the 'findability' of your site. A website without some simple 'SEO' is like a store without a sign!
Manoj Jasra is the VP of Technology and co-owner of BCTravelGuide.ca. Find out more about Manoj, his accomplishments and career in search-engine marketing at webanalytics
world.net |
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From the Editor's Desk
We hope you have enjoyed a busy summer season with lots of charming guests.
Recently you received an INN-vitation to the reception in Prince George, which was primarily intended for prospective members. Of course all members are welcome to come to the reception, but we really encourage Guild members to attend the whole two-day package.
This issue of Table Talk is primarily concerned with the upcoming Members Meeting and AGM to be held in Prince George on Oct 20 and 21. Even if, for some strange reason, you cannot join us in person, we do need your help in thinking about worthy recipients for the Moyra Turner and President's awards. Specifics of these awards are below.
Also in this edition is an article by the "techy" at BC Travel Guide on the subject of search-engine rankings. This is written in layman's language so dolts like me can understand.-- Graham Laxton, Greystone B&B |
BRITISH COLUMBIA BED & BREAKFAST
INNKEEPERS GUILD
Notice of Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the BC Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Guild will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 8.30 a.m. in the Prince George Civic Centre, 808 Civic Plaza, Prince George.
Only members in good standing are permitted to address and vote at the AGM.
The Meeting will deal with the business of the Guild, including:
- The president's and committee reports
- The financial statements
- The election of directors
- The annual awards and other business as may be properly brought before the meeting.
Notice of proxy: If you cannot make the AGM and you are a member in good standing, you may delegate someone to act as your proxy. You may nominate any of the Board or anyone who will be in attendance. Please copy the form below and e-mail it to the Guild secretary, Will Watkins, or fax it to 604-940-1970.
British Columbia Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Guild
2008 Annual General Meeting Form of Proxy
I, ________________________ of ____________________ bed and breakfast, a member in good standing of the BC Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Guild hereby appoint
_______________________ of _______________________ bed and breakfast, also a member in good standing of the Guild, to vote in my stead on all motions and in all matters requiring the vote of the membership during and only for
the Annual General Meeting of the Guild called for Oct. 21, 2008.
___________________________________ (signature)
___________________________________ (date)
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Schedule
In
conjunction with the AGM, the regular meeting of members will be held
on Monday, Oct. 20, at 9 a.m. at the Prince George Civic Centre. The
B&B and sightseeing tour is at 2 p.m. and the Annual Dinner will be
held at the Coast Hotel, Inn of the North, Prince George, 770 Brunswick
St., Prince George at 6 p.m. on Oct. 20.
Discussion topics will include but not be limited to:
- Marketing the Guild
- Future meetings/AGMs/conferences
- Greening your B&B
- Member's newsletters
- Tourism BC Updates
- Olympic updates
- Membership issues
- Guild sustainability
- Open forum -- your opportunity to bring up your concerns and ideas.
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Why You Should Come to P.G.
So,
that's the formal bit of this message out of the way and now let me
tell you why you just must attend this gathering. First and foremost it
is the one time of the year that we can get together to swap ideas,
tell stories, learn from each other and mostly to relax and have some
FUN. Rosel from "Rosels" and Julie from "Arbor B&B" are working
hard to ensure these days will be memorable and worthwhile.
Rumour
has it that, at the Inn of the North, we may see a return of the
"Grumpy" ghost who was on the cruise last year and was spied waltzing
down a corridor wearing only a smile and his Guild apron!
You
may remember from the last newsletter that we were hoping to charter a
bus, but that will not happen as most of you are happy to drive and car
pool. Anyone with space in their vehicle, or who needs a ride, please contact Graham at 1-866-518-1000 or 604-732-1375.
Those of you in the Lower Mainland may want to consider WestJet, which has a seat sale at the moment for $297.50 (including taxes). You can
leave Sunday evening and fly home Tuesday afternoon. The meetings
start on Monday at 8 a.m. and will conclude on Tuesday at about
11 a.m. In between you will be fed, wined and dined, given a
B&B tour and have lots of networking opportunities.
The meeting hotel is the Coast Inn of the North, and you should book a room
directly with them. Mention the Innkeepers Guild or ID No. 13375 to
obtain the reduced rate of $120 plus tax. If you want to arrive
early or stay on and explore, that rate is good for five days either side
of our meeting dates. Their toll free number is 1-800-663-1144.
COSTS:
Full package: Two breakfasts, one lunch, one coffee break, one wine-and-cheese party, one dinner with entertainment, B&B tour and the meetings: $150 plus GST
Partial package 1: Everything as above without the dinner on the 20th: $125 plus GST
Partial package 2: Reception and dinner only: $50 plus GST
"Enough already," I hear you saying. How do I sign up? The simplest method is just to call me (Graham) at
1-866-518-1000 and register for the meetings. Later this week there will also be a
registration form on the Guild's website. Please do this ASAP as we have to commit to meeting space etc.
See you in October!
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Meet the Chairs
Rosel of Rosel's B&B and Julie of Arbor B&B are co-chairing the meetings.
Hello,
everyone. We hope you all had a very busy summer and are now winding
down to a slower pace. Please consider coming up to the meetings in
Prince George. We have planned some informative sessions and mixed them
with some fun and relaxation.You
all deserve a break, and it is useful to get to know about the
different regions and their attractions first hand. Our guests want to
know what to do when visiting our province, and having the meetings in
different areas gives us all a golden opportunity to visit and see for
ourselves. And it is ALL tax deductible.
The beds are comfy, the
table is set and the bus is ready for sightseeing and a tour of local
B&Bs, so phone and register for the meetings today, 1-866-518-1000.
See you Oct 20. |
Awards Presentation
In conjunction with the Members Meeting/AGM, there are also two awards to be presented.
The Moyra Turner Hospitality Award
This award goes to the member innkeeper
who best exhibits hospitality among both guests and members of the
Guild and who best promotes the concept of hospitality.
You may forward a nomination along with supporting comments to Edward
Davidson, Binners', chair of the selection committee.
President's Award
This is for the member or members
who best exhibit dedication to the Guild, its members, its purpose and
its goals, and to the bed and breakfast segment of the hospitality
industry in general, in the year for which the award is made. A member
may receive the award more than once. There may be more than one
recipient in an award year. Please send your nomination to Jack Reynolds of Garden Ridge B&B by Sept. 30 along with supporting comments.
Please submit nominations by Sept. 30. The award committees reserve the right to choose the winners.
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  Partnership Agreement
Full details will be sent out soon. Please read carefully as there is some time-sensitive information. |
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Photo of the Month
A great blue heron fishes at Gibsons last week. Love those zoom lenses on the digital cameras.
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May you all become OMNISCIENT.
See you in Prince George. -- Graham
Sincerely,
British Columbia Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers Guild
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