An interview with Jennifer, co-owner of Burton Springs Fishing & Holidays
What Problem did we solve?
We took over Burton Springs and inherited the website. The previous owners built the website themselves – it was fine as a basic website but didn’t work for what we wanted. We wanted to keep the name, but wanted a much better website with a booking facility.
The new website was transformational – it flowed much better, cleaner, less cluttered, much nicer look and incorporated a booking system.
And we also wanted to incorporate SEO to increase our online visibility, particularly for our camping holidays. We are known for hour fishing holidays, but the camping has only been here for 3 years – so its about getting the message out there that you don’t need to be fishing to stay here. And its amazing – we have had so many bookings from people who have found us through Google and social media and have all gone to the website – and they can see that you don’t have to fish to stay here, you can camp here too.
Before the SEO we didn’t come up anywhere on Google. But now that’s changed. It has all worked. On the fishing side of things – we’re not free until months ahead over the weekend now and for camping we are getting fully booked.
It has definitely worked!
What results have you seen so far?
We are up on bookings to the extent that we are full for the next 6 months for camping weekend bookings.
We can direct people to the website to make the bookings using the booking system. This means that we don’t have to use an external booking company which used to take 15% plus 1.7% transaction fee. But through our booking system we pay just the transaction fee.
Over half of the bookings are now through the website which is great.
How did you find working with us
We like having ongoing support. We keep updating our imagery and content, which means that the website needs updating as we get this through. I have no hesitation in asking you to update our site and know that this will be done swiftly under our monthly support package.
It’s the first time we’ve done anything like this and we definitely feel supported. We don’t mind saying “ooh do you mind just updating that” or “help us with this”.
You guys are really easy to work with, and you get it done. You’re always at the end of the phone or an email. I feel it’s so easy to get in contact with you.
I remember when the website live, and we needed you to liaise with our booking company, it was so good to know that we knew you were always there, and I didn’t have to worry. I’ve worked with other companies and they can be not so forthcoming!
It’s important for us to work with people with a similar ethos to us – we are a people focused company. We feel we are inviting people into our garden. We have a personal service with everyone and want people to feel relaxed. And that is how you guys made us feel.
Would you recommend Us?
Yes I would, and I have done. You are easy to work with.
It’s a collaboration with you guys – you don’t dictate, at the same time I don’t have a clue about websites. I had an image of what I wanted but I didn’t know how to get there. You didn’t talk to me like I was an idiot. Which really helped. Because some tech companies do.
You seem so involved. And you listen. And on hand.
Its definitely been value for money. Everyone has commented on how easy the website is, how clean it is. They have all said its so easy to navigate. Even our fishermen, some who are in their 50s and 60s and 70s, they book their fishing through the website now because its easy for them.
You don’t want it to be complicated – you want it to be usable!
