Dorset Hotels
Dorset Riviera
 

Dorset Hotels

 

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

To assist you with your decision about whether to subscribe to the services offered on this Website, some questions we are often asked are answered here.


Is it really worth being with you?

Accommodation providers who advertise on our Website take advantage of all the domestic and international visitors, holidaymakers, business travellers and foreign language students that come to "look" - day and night, all year round. Potential guests decide which establishments interest them (perhaps because they like the look of your picture, so make sure you provide a "good" one ) and they contact you to make detailed enquiries.

Do I need my own Website?
If you have several pages worth of information and enticing pictures on our site, or if you have your own independent Website, you will greatly reduce the volume of time consuming phonecalls, emails and letters asking you minor questions about your facilities, standards, prices, terms and so on. It seems that many people contact advertising accommodation providers and when they discover you do have a Website will look at it on further occasions, perhaps with the family at home or more likely when at work, before making their final booking commitment. These days, people consider their holidays and trips but usually do not book until the last moment. The more information you provide, the more favours you will do yourself as people will see the benefits of staying with you from the outset, will make a note about you, and will not need to look at anyone else (unless you are fully booked) - which is the whole point about the World Wide Web.

Obviously, if your Website is linked from us, they will go straight to it and possibly not bother to look elsewhere!

If we don't host your Website, people may not discover your pages and are more likely to research other establishments, or they will start looking at your own Website as a direct result of obtaining your brochure or you telling them about it on the phone. Even if we don't host your Website, you may not realise that a very large number of enquiries (by phone, etc) emanate from your advertising right here with us.

Can I have a link to my Website?
Yes, if we host your Domain & Website.

What about Market Research?
Hoteliers who are "alive" to obtaining good market research information get their staff to ask every single enquirer how they found them, even when only basic information or a brochure is being requested. If you also follow this through when people book, you will be able to see that poential guests frequently make their initial enquiry to you having found you via us. This information is vital if you are going to appreciate that being with us is worth considerably more than not, and more than being with MOST other Internet sites. If you do not do this simple research (keep a notepad by the phone and encourage all your staff to get you the info by offering them an incentive) you may not realise the true value of being here.

We find that hoteliers, etc who do make the small effort will definitely NOT want to lose their presence with us. In any case, it may only take a booking or two to actually pay for an entire year's advertising - booking after booking that you wouldn't otherwise get! Bookings will continue flowing in over the weeks and months too. We also find that some hoteliers are totally oblivious (should they really be in business?) and if they decide to leave, never ever realise why their enquiries and bookings start to, sometimes dramatically, go down and down. People will NOT tell you unless you ask!

By asking, you may discover that the hefty amount you pay to some other "Big Name in Advertising" actually brings you.... NOTHING.

Why don't we provide links direct to your Website? We will! But you have to be hosted with us. We are not at all expensive. There is no loaded premium and you get your link! You need not be concerned about upsetting your Website designer as they almost certainly don't take any interest in who hosts you, which can be a major problem in itself over time, and if you want them to continue designing for you that is not a problem for us subject to there being no links to other accommodation sites from your pages.

What is your Hit Rate?
Claimed "hit rates" by Website owners are not independently checked and cannot be verified for accuracy.

Companies use differing criteria for producing their figures and also different software produces widely differing results. "Hit rate" refers to and analyses different things resulting in entirely meaningless figures for comparison purposes. "Hit rate" does not mean the number of people who looked.

Even if it is was possible to make true and reasonable comparisons between Websites, "hit rates" are not a measure of quality or success, however "booking enquiries" are, and we definitely will not publish matters of client confidentiality.

If you need evidence of success, asking one of our clients if they are satisfied with their level of returns might help you, but expect behind their response a possible sense of "why should I share with you when I am on to a good thing".

There is good reason not to be placed on a site only to end up hidden in lists of competitors, several depths of directories down and many clicks away from being found, but on our Website the numbers are limited, which means the advertiser is not hidden away, and the task is made easier and more enjoyable for the person who is seeking accommodation (unless everyone is "full up"). Try us.

Interested?Interested? Click to EnquireClick Here!

Are there other Websites in the Series?
Yes. Each stands in its own right - let us know if you need a "presence" in another area.

Do you design Websites?
Star Internetting have designed Websites for many years and we were active in the Internet industry before most people had even heard of dot.coms and the World Wide Web. We register Domain Names, arrange hosting and provide services to assist businesses of all types to get going on the Internet. Talk to us - if you know exactly what you want or if you prefer us to work it out for you we will be pleased to help.

I've already got a Website - can you help?
We can host your site and set up your Email. If your site was a "problem" or not performing well we will see what can be done to put it right, freshen it up or completely overhaul it according to what you want and make it work for you. If your last designer or hosting company was a nightmare - let us show you that life is easy with us. If and when you want to talk to us - we will be available.

My Website has pages with "links" which can take my visitors to other "accommodation sites".
Then perhaps you are making a mistake. We have no issue about working with you but we will not permit a link from our accommodation site to yours unless the links are removed. Isn't that fair?

Do you take bookings for accommodation?
No. That is the business of the accommodation provider and enquiries should go to them not us.

Can you filter booking enquiries?
We do not filter enquiries or interfere with them in any way - all enquiries are the property of the accommodation provider. To ask this question means you must have come across the practice elsewhere - but not with us.

I am looking for accommodation - who do I apply to?
Every accommodation provider on this Website has a small picture on the Main Page - choose a few to click on which seem inviting and you will discover more information about them. Some have a single page which summarises their important features, whereas others have entire Websites to provide all the information and pictures you would wish for. If you don't find all the details you need - email or telephone them direct ("mentioning where you found them!"). If you want to book - email or telephone them direct ("mentioning where you found them!").

The Hotel I contacted is fully booked.
We are looking at ways of providing alternative solutions for locating where the vacancies are, until then the best advice is to book as far in advance as you can or contact every accommodation provider on this Website, including ones which may seem outside your chosen area as they might even have more to offer you than you might at first think. We will continue to accept and add more accommodation providers but do not intend to exceed sensible levels or become a directory for all and sundry.

I am looking for a particular type of accommodation or holiday.
We intend to improve the means by which you can find what you are looking for and what you seek might be offered but is either not mentioned or is available only with some accommodation providers or at certain times of the year - it may we worth asking them because if they can help you they will.

Do you vet or approve the accommodation?
Star Ratings and Diamonds, etc are provided by specialist organisations to accommodation that meets certain standards. That is entirely the business of the accommodation provider and the organisations concerned, and these ratings will be displayed on the relevant page if we are told about it.

I found something that doesn't work or doesn't seem right?
If it is on or about this Website or is a technical matter concerning another Website, please urgently send us an email about it. If it is about the accommodation then please contact them in the first instance.

I want to use photographs/images/scripting from this Website.
You must ask us for permission - depending on how you intend to use the item/s we may or may not allow it. If copyright belongs to someone else the decision will belong with them. If copyright is infringed you may end up in court.

I want to advertise on your pages.
Please contact us.

My question is not answered here.
Email us, or contact an accommodation provider if they are better placed to provide the answer.

Interested?Interested? Click to EnquireClick Here!

"I've just stumbled upon my own new Website...
and I nearly fell off my chair! My first impressions exceed anything I expected!"


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27 August 2008

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