Online marketing workshop in Cornwall March 2010

A photo from our fairly recent online marketing workshop which was held at Stoke Climsland campus in Cornwall. We had 10 businesses participating and lots of enthusiasm and good ideas about online marketing.

Making your B&B or self-catering website stand out

Just had this article published in Farmers Weekly Interactive.

Social Media map

Just stumbled upon this (after signing up for Stumbleupon.com) - a really useful overview of the social media map.

More workshops!

I am delighted to report that another online marketing workshop is planned - this time with Poole Tourism. It will take place on the 11th March at Bournemouth University's Talbot Campus. The cost is £40 per head which, although I might be biased, represents a good investment for a day's training on how you can make your web site work harder for you. Although not uploaded yet more information will be available in the next few days on Bournemouth University's business services web site.

Google local business center

I mentioned to one or two people at the workshop that I'd post some information here about registering your site at Google local business center. You can do that right now at: http://google.co.uk/lbc and just follow the steps to register your business. Then you have a chance to appear at the top of the first page in Google next to a Google map if people are searching locally. Good luck and let me know how you get on.

Online marketing workshop number 2 on 21st January 2010

We had our second online marketing workshop in Chippenham last Thursday. All but one of the attendees were Farm Stay members and we had a great workshop as you can see from the photo.

Everyone was really enthusiastic with lots of shared learning and experiences! I just read that Google is going to take into account site speed as part of its site ranking algorithm and that they've made available a link in Google Webmaster tools to help with that. I'll check it out and keep you posted. In the meantime I'm very keen to hear people's views on online booking and online channels of distribution following our discussion with Teresa from Visit Wiltshire.

www.blountscourtfarm.co.uk (Colin)
www.churchfarmcottages.com (Trish)
www.churchfarmholidaycottages.com (Sharon)
www.hattfarm.co.uk (Carol)
www.manorfarmbandb.co.uk (Ross)
www.marshwoodfarm.co.uk (Fiona)
www.parkfarmbarn.co.uk (Kate)
www.pickwickfarm.co.uk(Gill)
www.poultongrange.com (Deb)

Google Analytics and Google Adwords

Unfortunately we didn't have time in yesterday's workshop to cover these two important areas although if you're interested there's the possibility that we might set up a workshop dedicated to Analytics and Adwords. In the meantime you can get started with Google Analytics at http://www.google.com/analytics/ - if you haven't got a Google account you'll need to set one up and then follow the simple steps. Similarly with Adwords (www.google.com/adwords), it's best if you establish a Google account - if you've already done that for Analytics you won't have to do it again! Google Analytics is a great tool and what's more it's free - let us know how you get on.