| When we build an Internet business, we naturally | | | | them. Local transactions are easier, faster and more |
| wish to become a large-scale, global company. But, | | | | secure than payments from all over the World at |
| do you feel more comfortable in an overcrowded | | | | international vacation rental web portals. |
| mall as one of hundreds of faceless customers-- or | | | | Document your financial relationships. |
| as a valued guest in a cozy shop? Do you like your | | | | Operators of large vacation rental websites have |
| specific needs to be as important to a salesperson as | | | | owners from different countries with different local |
| his own? | | | | laws, so it is hard to control all the agreements and |
| The less business you have, the better are your | | | | negotiations between property owners and tenants, |
| chances of success. Sound unrealistic? Well, here are | | | | but a small vacation rental website dedicated to one |
| the facts: | | | | specific country or region shows more |
| The smaller your region, the better your customer | | | | professionalism and generates more trust if it offers |
| service. | | | | rental agreements prepared on behalf of property |
| You probably remember surfing the net, looking at | | | | owners and guests. |
| hundreds of vacation rental sites. Was destination | | | | If you operate a website dedicated to one region, |
| important to you or, did it make no difference? | | | | you can compose legal documents valid for your |
| Personally, I can't imagine that someone would search | | | | region and appropriate for your owners and guests. |
| for just some kind of property somewhere in the | | | | Such rental agreements should describe the most |
| world. | | | | likely disputes that can arise between owner and |
| I see a difference between Sydney and Rome and | | | | guest: furniture and fixture damage, insurance, guest |
| prefer sites dedicated to specific destinations. Why? | | | | and owner responsibilities, abandonment, payment |
| That's easy. It's because I like the individual attention | | | | schedule, etc. People feel more comfortable when |
| I get. If I have questions all of my questions (even | | | | their financial arrangements are backed up by legal |
| about the color of the walls in the bathroom) will be | | | | documentation. |
| answered with care and in detail. Plus, I can get | | | | The smaller your region, the more income |
| information about which banks have the best | | | | opportunities you have. |
| exchange rates, where the best eats are and, well, | | | | Would you like having more happy clients, who |
| about anything and everything a traveler wants to | | | | naturally turn to positive testimonials and |
| know about really. | | | | word-of-mouth advertising? The owners of small |
| The network does not replace live interaction. | | | | rental websites can cooperate with local service |
| Even the most informative web pages can not | | | | providers and get good commission from this |
| replace live interaction, when you get specific replies | | | | cooperation. For instance, they can agree on |
| to your specific questions. You should read the web | | | | discounts with souvenir shops and hand out discount |
| page to find the info you need. We all value our time | | | | coupons to their guests. Discount coupons issued |
| and prefer to talk to a live person and get an | | | | specially for a specific villa or house work best. The |
| immediate reply. Multi-user portals are simply unable | | | | same can be done with restaurants, car hire and |
| to achieve that close interaction between a web site | | | | yacht rental services, etc. This will no doubt |
| owner and web site visitors, whereas small web sites | | | | contribute to generating interest and building trust on |
| can. | | | | your vacation rental website. |
| As a web-site owner, you will gain negotiating skills. | | | | VIP attitude is more important than VIP house. |
| These will show you are trustworthy, and help you | | | | Even if the house for rent is not the essence of |
| to succeed in the rental business. | | | | luxury, you may win your client’s favor with |
| Tenant details are invaluable. | | | | your professional demeanor and attentive attitude. I |
| If you have been in the business of leasing or renting | | | | have seen dozens of examples in which good |
| real property for several years, you’ll have quite | | | | attitude has compensated for the shortcomings of a |
| a database of tenant and owner contacts. Storing | | | | property. Remember: you lease impressions, not |
| every detail about them can help you regain them as | | | | properties. |
| clients. Before the high season begins, send them a | | | | Be Sincere. |
| newsletter about a new option, discount or benefit | | | | Last but not least, the guiding principle for the owner |
| for your website visitors and include a brief reference | | | | of a vacation rental website is to really want to |
| to their family. For instance, tell them how cute those | | | | make people happy. Your main and sincere wish |
| twins, John and Jack, were, who | | | | should be to make a guest’s stay as good as |
| ‘decorated’ your wallpaper with their | | | | possible. Making a profit depends on this. You need to |
| creative paintings last year, or, ask about their little | | | | listen hard to what your guests are saying. |
| dog Sparky, who misused your flowerbeds and lawn. | | | | Remember that when a guest rents house for his |
| Your tenants will appreciate your attentions and will | | | | vacation, he wants a break from work and |
| make early reservations. You could hardly expect | | | | day-to-day worries. He does not want his vacation to |
| that at large vacation rental portals. | | | | be clouded by trivial inconveniences. Love your |
| 'Closer' money. | | | | owners! Love your guests! Love properties! |
| If you charge property owners for listing their | | | | Smith Chen is an author and internet marketing |
| properties on your small vacation rental website, | | | | consultant. |
| it’s easier for you to collect payments from | | | | |