Making Connections at the 2011 VRMA Conference
LiveRez.com had a whole host of SWAG available at its booth during the 2011 VRMA Conference in Orlando, FL.
The national VRMA Conference offers an unmatched opportunity to meet with vacation rental managers from all over the United States and beyond. This year, LiveRez.com is doing a number of things to connect with professional VRMs. But these communication efforts can be used by just about any business to share its solution and connect with the people it can help.
Here are some of things we’re doing this year:
Stand Out: At LiveRez, we’re proud of our partners, and they have come out in force at this conference. To showcase our partners, we are giving them LiveRez lanyards and ribbons that say “LiveRez Partners.” In a conference setting, it’s always nice to let others know what groups you’re a part of; it really helps facilitate the networking process. One thing that can help LiveRez partners network outside of the conference is the LiveRez Network group on LinkedIn.
VRMA Gold Sponsorship: We think the VRMA is very important for vacation rental managers across the company, and our primary goal is to serve professional vacation rental managers. Many of our partners are VRMA members, as well. So, it only makes sense for us to give our support to the VRMA.
Come See Us at the 2011 VRMA Conference in Orlando
LiveRez.com's Josh Hurst, Tyler Hurst and Rich Cook greet attendees at the 2010 VRMA Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
It’s that time again! Every year vacation rental managers and the suppliers that help them succeed all come together for the industry’s largest gathering: the VRMA National Conference. As always, LiveRez will be there in force, answering all your questions about our software and giving away FREE stuff.
Why You Should Come
If you’re heading to the conference, here are some great reasons to come visit us:
- We’re giving away a FREE iPad!!!
- You can get free LiveRez SWAG
- You can get all your questions answered in person
- You can network with some of our many successful vacation rental manager partners (they’ll be out in force, too).
Other Things to Check Out
LiveRez.com will be delivering its 10-minute Gold Sponsor presentation Wednesday morning during General Session. Additionally, LiveRez sales manager Tyler Hurst will be part of an educational presentation entitled “5 Fundamentals of Closing on the Phone.” That presentation will Tuesday at 11 a.m. You can check out the slides in advance here.
What to Do if You Can’t Make It
If you can’t make it, no sweat. We’ve got you covered. We’ll be broadcasting live updates through our social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, the LiveRez.com Blog). It’s the next best thing to being there in person.
Are You Ready for Social Search?
Social Search is coming. Microsoft looks like it could be getting in the game. It "accidentally" released this page to the public in July, and then promptly removed it, just in time for speculators to spread the hype.
Every day, business experts around the world tell us how important SEO is. In the same breath, they tell us how not to ignore social media. And, for the most part, we think of these two as separate entities.
But as major search engines actively toy with the idea of social searching, we may need to start looking at SEO and Social Media more as a pair than as individuals.
The Big Idea Behind Social Search
The main idea behind social search is that a search engine will leverage your social networks to create custom search results for you. An oversimplified example would be if you “liked” LiveRez on Facebook, when you searched for vacation rental software in Bing, LiveRez would appear higher up in your search results.
Why SEO Should Matter to You
This heat map shows where users are clicking on this search results page. Notice how most of the clicks are concentrated on the top results.
Business isn’t a game of hide and go seek. As a business owner, you want those consumers seeking your products and services to find you – and before they find your competition. In the competitive vacation rentals industry, being found first becomes even more important.
According to some recent statistics released by Optify.com, the top three organic search results receive 58.4 percent of all visits from the search, with the top result garnering a massive 36.4 percent. The remaining items on the front page receive just 9 percent of clicks, and results on the second page receive just 1.5 percent of clicks. These statistics further reinforce the importance of ranking high in organic search results. But moving up the search engine ladder isn’t a walk in the park, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing.
A good search engine optimization strategy will consist of a competitive analysis of all the search terms that may be used by your target consumers. That analysis will create a comprehensive keyword strategy that will guide optimization tactics. Successful SEO efforts almost always generate dramatic increases in website traffic and, consequently, the amount of business leads received online. So, having an optimized website is one of the single most important things you can do to increase your company’s profitability.
Are You Taking Full Advantage of Web Analytics?
With more and more travel seekers doing their shopping online, it’s imperative that your website be optimized to – as we at LiveRez.com say – “Turn Lookers into Bookers.” While LiveRez-powered websites already come preloaded with multiple features to accelerate online bookings, one feature that requires some action by the partner is using web analytics.
Google Analytics is one of the many web analytics providers supported by LiveRez.com.
But, before we explain just how to set up Web analytics on your LiveRez-powered website, let’s first take a look at what these analytics do and why they are important.
The most commonly used form of analytics is Google Analytics. It’s free, and for the most part it’s simple to use. Here’s just a small list of the details Google Analytics can tell you about your website:
- The number of times your site was visited in a certain time period
- Approximately how many different people visited your page (these are called unique visitors)
- The average length a visitor spends on your website
- How many of those visitors are coming to your site for the first time
- How often do your visitors return
- The areas where your visitors live
- The percentage of your visitors who leave your website without clicking to another page (this is called the bounce rate).
- How visitors are coming to your site. Do they find it through search engines, through links from other sites, from links in e-mails, from social media platforms, or do they type in your URL directly? The places online where visitors come from are called referrers.
- The keywords potential guests are using to find your site through search engines. Are they searching for “Florida Vacation Rentals” or “Homes for rent close to Disney World?”
LiveRez.com’s SEO/SEM Service Helps Drive 115 Percent More Online Bookings for Partner
Want to increase the number of lookers coming to your website? Regina Berg of Cabin Rentals of Helen (RentHelen.com) had just that in mind when she signed up for LiveRez.com’s professional SEO/SEM service.
Administered by SEO/SEM Manager Sam Martin, LiveRez.com’s efforts for RentHelen.com yielded positive results for Berg in every category – and in just her first month with the service.
“My bookings in May have more than doubled from a year ago,” Berg said. “I know a big part of that is the great work LiveRez.com’s Sam Martin has done for our SEO and SEM campaigns. The quality and quantity of our website visitors has definitely increased since Sam began directing our efforts.”
Below is brief case study detailing those exceptional results:
With help from LiveRez.com's SEO/SEM Manager Sam Martin, Regina Berg and the team at RentHelen.com increased the traffic coming to their website and experienced a 115 percent increase in online bookings from one year ago.
GOALS
- Increase bookings
- Increase traffic to RentHelen.com
- Increase placement in key organic search results
- Increase efficiency of SEM Campaigns through elevated click-through rates
WHAT WE DID
- Completely analyzed SEO Strategy
- Redesigned SEM Campaign
- Implemented key off-site tactics
RESULTS
SEO
- Increased website traffic by 22.69%
- Increased organic placement in a number of key search terms across all major search engines.
SEM (pay per click)
- Clicks rose 56%,
- Cut Impressions by 24%
- Click-through rate (CTR) increased 65%
- Average Cost-Per-Click (CPC) decreased by 7%
- Average placement position of ads rose from 4.2 to 3.6
Online Reservations (May 2010 to May 2011)
- Bookings increased 115%
- Nights Stayed rose 93%
Leading website offers tips on buying business software
Capterra.com is pretty much an authority on buying business software this modern market and the site has some interesting tips on buying software that is critical to your business functions. 
A few months ago, Alexandra, a staffer with Capterra.com, wrote a piece on what buyers should look for in the companies before buying from them. As important as the actual software is to your operation, we at LiveRez.com think it's just as important to have great support and know-how after a purchase.
Alexandra takes her five "must-haves" for buying software from Cyndi Brandt of Roadnet Technologies. Here they are:
1. Experience
In all reality, you wouldn't buy vacation rental software from a company that has been busy writing video game programs for the last 10 years; that just wouldn't make sense. Alexandra agrees. "You need to know that if anything goes wrong you’ll have the resources you need to fix it quickly," she writes. "You’ll probably place a higher value on a software company experienced in writing, supporting and implementing software for businesses like yours."
We don't like to brag too much, but LiveRez founder Tracy Lotz has been in this business for 15 years and knows the ins and outs of the industry in a way that not many do. LiveRez, as a company, has produced hundreds of vacation rental websites and reservation systems. That means there isn't a quirk or problem we haven't seen. Suffice it to say that we've got the experience you need.
2. Financially Stable
If your software serves a vital role in the work you do, then you need t0 know you are buying from a stable company. "This goes back to the previous point, that if the software will support mission-critical business functions then you need to be reassured that the software company itself isn’t going anywhere," Alexandra says.
As we mentioned under the previous point, LiveRez has been in this game for a while and is on stable ground. We are definitely here to stay.
3. Industry Knowledge
You wouldn't let a new hire run your company, would you? Why not? Because that person doesn't have the intimate knowledge of your industry and your company that you and your management team does. The same thing goes for your company's software needs. You should work with company's that understand that challenges that you, as a business owner, face each day. "Your business is unique and it’s your responsibility to make sure that you’ve explained your particular needs to a software company," writes Alexandra. "Once you explained your needs, make sure that they can deliver. Ask if they have customers similar to you and ask them to explain how their software works for those customers."
When interested parties first contact LiveRez, our business consultant discusses their needs and challenges on the first call. If we don't have what you need, then we don't want to waste your time, but we have a feeling that we have something to offer everyone in the vacation rental industry.
4. A Solid Number of Customers
The marketplace has a simple way of rewarding good and bad businesses; great companies will rise and bad ones will falter and become just a memory. Good companies are rewarded with loyal customers who return time and time again. "There is no set number that is a good or safe number. But something more than 100 should definitely make you feel comfortable," say Alexandra.
Again, we don't like to brag, but LiveRez has written hundreds of websites and we have many customers that tried our software on one property before expanding if to their entire real estate portfolio.
5. Excellent References
Would you eat pizza from the pizzeria in town that is getting a bad rap via word of mouth? Our guess is that you would find another place to eat. It's no different in the world of vacation rental software; if the product is good people will say so. "Find out what others are saying about the product regardless of how little it costs," says Alexandra. "Look for recent customer reviews from both new and long term customers."
That's partially what this blog is about. We try to show you what some of our customers are saying about the work we do. If you need more references, feel free to ask! Our business consultant will happily provide a list of customers to contact to ask about their experiences with LiveRez.
Our thanks to Capterra.com for providing the tips on buying software. Read the full article here.
Three-click bookings: How LiveRez can help you drive more bookings
With things on the information superhighway speeding up each day, it's more important than ever for companies to be fast and efficient in turning prospective customers into solid guests. This is especially true in the vacation property arena, where clients have a myriad of choices before them.
LiveRez.com websites employ a three-click booking procedure which makes it easier for potential guests to make reservations on your site.
Here's how it works: Potential guests come to your website looking for a vacation rental for a family trip. In your site's simple format, they decide what kind of property they are looking for, how many people it must fit, and the dates and location of the trip. Then with the first click, potential guests are one-third of the way through the entire booking process.
Next: Guests are treated to all your property listings matching desired specifications. They don't have to search over your site to find what they need; it's all in front of them in an eye-pleasing configuration. Properties are shown with clear, detailed images and easy-to-understand descriptions, outlining various amenities.
Finally: In the last step, potential bookers are converted into solid guests, achieving your ultimate objectives: full properties. Before purchasing, guests may read longer descriptions of homes or condos so they know exactly what they getting for their money. LiveRez partners can also embed videos and virtual tours into these pages, allowing guests to experience homes or condos in vivid detail.
The process is simple, clear, and easy for guests to understand. The Easier the process the more booking the property managers will get.
Three-click booking is just another reason LiveRez is an emerging-leader in the vacation rental software industry. We continually strive for easy-to-use platforms that drive customers to your website and turn them into additional revenue for you and your properties. To see what LiveRez can do for you, visit our website here or call us at toll-free at 1-800-343-2891.
Repeat Guests – Keep them Coming Back
At last week's VRMA East event, there was a wonderful discussion on Repeat Guests. In a recent industry study, it was determined that it costs 6x to acquire a new guest vs. booking a repeat guest.
That is some serious money. I can add from experience, that the multiplier is much higher in the general eCommerce industry.......more like 10-15x.
Holding on to your guests and keeping them coming back is not rocket-science according to the recent discussion at the VRMA conference. It is about making it a priority, and starting the sales process for the next visit, the moment they book with you for the first visit.
The guest experience was broken into several stages, with ideas on each stage.
- Pre-Arrival - find out why they are coming, who they are bringing
- Arrival - 'welcome home', let them know how happy you are to see them
- Stay - treat them like family
- Check-out - provide special offers
- Post-Stay - stay in touch with emails, newsletters, offers
In my April Webinar, I will cover each of these areas in detail. Please join us for this event on Thursday, April 23. See details and chance to sign-up below.
Webinar: Repeat Guests - 9 Ways to Make the Most of Guest Relationships
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Eastern VRMA Update #1
Vacation Rental Managers Association
First I want to say to everyone, flying is pretty good. As much as everyone complains (which by the way is not a good way to promote vacations), I had 3 flight to make it from Boise to Charlotte and all flights were on time. The only hiccup was the Delta employee who suggested that I should pay $175 for my over-sized suitcases. Really? I don't think so. He caved like bad souffle.
The show. It was an active evening reception in the vendor showcase. More traffic than expected and more positive conversations than folk complaining about the economy. I have found a positive effect of the economy on many vacation managers. It has forced the issue of improving their operations and their marketing/selling.
We will come out of this recession stronger and in a better position to fight for market-share from the hotels. The activities I see vacation managers making to enhance their websites, their online marketing, the analysis of their prospects & guests, and the improvements in their operations are all very positive.
Overall the mood is very positive and anticipating a great recovery for our industry.
More to come tomorrow after some of the sessions.
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