Free Trial with iknow-Uk
Online marketing company iknow-uk.com is offering accommodation providers a free trial to promote their business on their award winning website.
The one month free trial will allow accommodation owners from around the UK to upload pictures, information, availability, rates and links to their accommodation profile page so visitors to iknow-uk are fully informed of what is available when they plan their trip or holiday.
Property owners will have full control of the content featured on iknow-uk’s website and can change, amend or add information at their own leisure.
The company is renowned for its success in helping accommodation owners obtain the best search results and as a result, more customers coming through the door.
A well-known and trusted site with both accommodation owners and holiday makers, the site features thousands of properties across the UK, ranging from bed and breakfasts and guests houses to self catering cottages and hotels.
In 2008, the company helped over 2,000 hospitality customers beat the credit crunch by keeping them ahead of their competition. The site in 2008 alone received seven million visitors by the end of October, bringing them two million up from 2007.
The company has seen over 90 per cent of their clients renew their contracts each month due to the success they have seen since registering with the site.
So how does it all work?
iknow-uk is the UK’s fastest growing accommodation listing website, which allows anyone who owns their property within the UK to advertise their accommodation on the website.
The site offers property owners the platform to advertise their website and property details to people wishing to stay across a range of towns, cities and villages in the UK.
The consultancy aims to provide an advertising tool for clients to feature their properties on the website to enhance business and attract potential visitors to their property.
Features of the site include a comprehensive control panel that allows clients to edit and refine all aspects of their online advertising. Clients may add photos and captions to their profile page to obtain the best results when advertising their properties.
Guidance is situated throughout the site provided by iknow-uk, to ensure clients get maximum potential from the website.
A key feature to the online consultancy site is the ability to show potential visitors direct access online to when the client’s property is available. The page has been set up to display a calendar, which summarises the availability of the property and not individual rooms.
The iknow-uk website also features a last minute category whereby clients who opt to use the calendar feature, will see their properties placed in the last minute directory for guests wishing to find a quick getaway or last minute deal.
Links can also be made direct to the clients’ website through iknow-uk.com.
Marcus Simmons, Managing Director at iknow-uk Ltd, said, "The Internet is changing the way people find and book accommodation. Hotel, B&B and other accommodation owners have to learn quickly how to benefit from the effectiveness of Internet advertising.
“Most importantly we deliver results! This is demonstrated by over 90 per cent of our customers renewing each year because of the exceptional results they achieve over their 12 month subscription."
The website is split into 10 different sub websites each representing different areas of the UK.
For example, if you have accommodation to rent in York, you can register your York hotels or other types of accommodation online at iknow-yorkshire.co.uk and complete a profile all about the property, its location and attractions nearby.
The advantage of having the sub websites is so visitors looking for a holiday can easily find the information they are looking for without any fuss or confusion. For example, a person looking for Harrogate hotels does not require or need information about accommodation in the South of England and having the separate sites enables people to happily search for exactly what they are looking for without any hassle.
A great feature of the iknow-uk website is the extensive information about tourist attractions and places to visit within each region.
For example if you own accommodation within the Yorkshire region whether it be York hotels or Harrogate hotels, you can inform your prospective guests about the location of your accommodation and transport links to and from it. This is a key advertising tool for online marketing as you are able to sell your property based on its whereabouts in the city or town. For example if you have accommodation near York’s race course it would be to your advantage to post information about its whereabouts on the website.
A great advantage to having your own profile on iknow-uk is that you can tell people the exact requirements of staying at your accommodation so there are no surprises upon arrival.
The teams at each of the sub websites have come up with a wide list of categories for you to place yourself in, so people looking for accommodation can narrow their search to find what is right for them.
For example if you have lots of hotels and each of them caters for stag and hen parties, you can situate your property into this category on the website lists.
END
NOTES TO EDITORS
The iknow-yorkshire.co.uk website is part of a larger online consultancy company called iknow-uk.com.
The firm specialise in rental accommodation, providing a platform for people to advertise their properties to rent across the UK.
The companies main internet advertising websites are iknow-yorkshire.co.uk, iknow-northwest.co.uk, iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk, iknow-devon.co.uk, iknow-cornwall.co.uk and iknow-wales.co.uk.
The online marketing site is keen to expand their sites, adding iknow-scotland.co.uk, iknow-somerset.co.uk, iknow-dorset.co.uk and iknow-kent.co.uk to their site in the last 12 months.
Iknow-UK – UK citizens opting for short break bookings during 2009
The UK travel industry has tracked a record growth of short break bookings during 2009. UK airline bmibaby have reported that bookings for breaks of less than four days are up by more than 20 per cent year on year, between January to April 2009, in comparison to the same period in 2008.
The most popular destinations for short breaks between January to April 2009 are Edinburgh from East Midlands and Cardiff Airport, Amsterdam from Birmingham International Airport and Belfast from Manchester Airport.
Julian Carr, commercial director, bmibaby, said,
“We have seen a sharp increase in bookings for trips of less than four days this year. Fifty three per cent of our bookings between January and April 2009 are from people taking short trips, compared to just thirty one per cent in the same period in 2008.
“More passengers are booking shorter breaks, for business or leisure purposes. People are not prepared to give up the all important weekend break, and business travelers are migrating towards the low cost travel option.”
With so many people looking to take a short break within the UK this year, the low cost airline is encouraging travelers to book their accommodation early to avoid disappointment during peak traveling times. With so many landlords increasing the rate per night and competition rife over the summer months, travelers don’t know where to start when planning a short break away this summer.
However help is at hand with Iknow-uk an online marketing consultancy who have thousands of different types of accommodation featured on their website. The website is split according to each area across the UK, with each site focusing on just one part of the UK to ensure that maximum coverage is achieved.
The company’s main Internet advertising websites are iknow-yorkshire.co.uk, iknow-northwest.co.uk, iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk, iknow-devon.co.uk, iknow-cornwall.co.uk and iknow-wales.co.uk.
The online marketing site is keen to expand their sites, adding iknow-scotland.co.uk, iknow-somerset.co.uk, iknow-dorset.co.uk and iknow-kent.co.uk to their site in the last 12 months.
Why choose IKnow-UK
Iknow-UK has a range of different features to help you find the perfect accommodation for your trip.
Whether you are looking for Devon hotels, such as Torquay hotels, or Weston Super Mare hotels, Iknow-UK is the best place to book your short break and we have a list of reasons why.
Wide choice available
The site features over 2,500 different types of accommodation on each of the individual advertising sites ranging from B&B’s to Holiday Cottages.
If you are planning a trip to the Northwest and are looking for that perfect accommodation for you and your fellow travelers, Iknow-northwest.co.uk can help narrow that long search for you.
With a variety of places to visit in the North West region, Iknow-UK have categorised each location to help you find accommodation close to where you need to be.
With Blackpool hotels, Liverpool hotels, Manchester hotels and Chester hotels, guests can browse through the wide selection available at their own leisure and convenience.
The website is fast, easy to use, comprehensive and informative for the customer to locate their perfect property to stay.
The advanced search engine on the site allows visitors to categorise exactly what they are looking for when staying at a property.
Guests can search under locations, types of accommodation, type, price and speciality. This ensures that the customer gets the best deal from the service and exactly what they are looking for.
Tourist Information Given
Each of the websites at Iknow-UK features tourist information in the area, allowing travelers to plan their trip with activities and days out to suit their wishes and desires.
If your short break takes you up to the Scottish highlands, iknow-scotland.co.uk cover all the main cities as well as surrounding areas on their website with a wide range of Scotland hotels for you to visit.
From Edinburgh hotels to Glasgow hotels, the website hosts a variety of information about the location of each of the properties, including what attractions nearby and transport links.
For instance, if you are looking for a quiet and relaxing trip to Scotland, iknow-scotland can direct you to a wide range of holiday cottages in Scotland which are tranquil, away from the hustle and bustle and perfect retreat after a long week at work.
Full information about all accommodation available
Each different type of accommodation comes with a detailed description of what the place is like, where it is close to, what they do and don’t accept as well as pictures for you to look at, of in and outside the property.
A key feature to the Iknow-UK websites is the availability calendar situated on each of the property listings.
The calendar summarises the availability of the property to allow guests quicker and accessible information when booking their short break. For example a trip to Cardiff may find you wondering where the best places are to visit, which suit your needs and requirements.
If it’s a fun packed night in the city, or a quiet break by the sea, there is a wide selection of Wales hotels available across the country.
Whether you are looking for Cardiff hotels or Llandudno hotels visit iknow-wales.co.uk to see what all the fuss is about and whether there is accommodation available for the week you plan to travel.
A great platform to feature your property
If you are a landlord and own a property across the UK, Iknow-UK.com may be the best platform for you to advertise your business.
If you own Lake District Hotels you can advertise your property on iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk. The website can categorise your property whether it is a Keswick hotels or Windermere hotels so visitors can pin point your exact location when booking their trip.
Trusted site to advertise your accommodation
Iknow-UK has had over 20,000,000 visitors to their site and 2,000 very happy customers.
The site wants each one of the customers to succeed and provides helpful hints to improve your listing. They have friendly staff that are always on hand to help you get the most out of your advertising.
On top of this, advertisers are full in control of the content and targeting. Changes can be made to the advertisement at no cost to you and can be done at any time.
If you have a property to promote, visit iknow-devon.co.uk for further information about how to advertise your property on their website. The website features a variety of properties across various locations, including Newquay hotels, St Ives hotels and Cornwall hotels.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
The iknow-Northwest.co.uk website is part of a larger online consultancy company called iknow-uk.com. The firm specialise in rental accommodation, providing a platform for people to advertise their properties to rent across the UK.
The companies main Internet advertising websites are iknow-yorkshire.co.uk, iknow-northwest.co.uk, iknow-lakedistrict.co.uk, iknow-devon.co.uk, iknow-cornwall.co.uk and iknow-wales.co.uk.
The online marketing site is keen to expand their sites, adding iknow-scotland.co.uk, iknow-somerset.co.uk, iknow-dorset.co.uk and iknow-kent.co.uk to their site in the last 12 months.
Clough Bottom Farm shortlisted for Tourism Awards 2009
Clough Bottom Farm Holiday Cottages has been shortlisted for two awards at the prestigious Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards 2009/10.
The three, four-star holiday cottages situated on an organic working farm in the heart of the Ribble Valley have been shortlisted for the Self Catering/Serviced Apartments Award and the Sustainable Tourism Award, competing against some of the other top tourism businesses and attractions in the North West.
The sixth annual awards have seen some remarkably high level entries which have been narrowed down to four shortlist entries per category. Mike Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board said,
“This year the applications have been impressive particularly as they reflect heightened levels of creativity and quality of service, setting inspiring benchmarks for tourism businesses across Lancashire.”
The winner of each of the thirteen awards will be decided by public vote, where approximately 25,000 known visitors to the region will be invited to vote on the shortlist compiled by district tourism officers.
The winner of each award will progress to the Northwest regional finals, with the chance to go on to the Enjoy England national finals.
The awards ceremony will take place at Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green on 10th June, where the winners of the hotly-contested awards will be announced. Presenting the awards will be Radio Two broadcaster Stuart Maconie, who visited Clough Bottom organic farm cottages for his travel guide ‘Short Stories for Short Breaks – Hidden Gems in England’s Northwest’.
Clough Bottom – who are holders of the Green Tourism Business Scheme: Gold Award –has a strong commitment to promoting sustainable tourism from the recycling bins supplied in each cottage and the use of ‘no-phosphate/chlorine’ cleaning products, to using low energy light bulbs, and the installation in 2006 of a borehole which provides water for irrigation and livestock.
Upon arrival, guests a welcomed with a complimentary hamper filled with a selection of homemade and locally-sourced produce, and guests can even purchase a range of Food from the Farm ready meals, made with the farm’s own organic beef, fruit and vegetables. New for 2009 is a poly tunnel allowing guests at the luxury holiday cottages to pick their own complimentary organic vegetables all year round. Herbs, salads and fruit are also available in the organic veg patch and orchard.
Guests are encouraged to support local businesses and reduce car usage as part of the ‘Stay Local, Eat Local, Buy Local, See Local’ scheme, and both the website and the welcome folders in each of the cottages – Woodcutter’s Cottage, Saddle Barn and The Coach House feature ‘What’s On’ guides and a wealth of local visitor information including walks, places of interest and things to do in the area. Wildlife diaries are also included in each cottage for guests to record their sightings of birds and wildlife.
In terms of the natural environment, Clough Bottom Farm has been part of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for 20 years as well as the English Woodland Grant Scheme, and in addition to planting well over 100,000 trees creates wildlife corridors and ditches, creates and restores ponds and maintains ancient woodland.
Owner Jane Backhouse said, “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in these two categories as we feel it is great recognition for what we do here at Clough Bottom.
“We are dedicated to ensuring our guests thoroughly enjoy their time here and pride ourselves on giving them a real taste of rural Lancashire whilst being socially responsible and ever mindful of the environment.”
Notes to Editors
Situated in The Forest of Bowland – an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in rural Lancashire, Clough Bottom Farm is a 360 acre organic working farm that has successfully blended traditional diversification with a conservation-minded, more sustainable approach to life and business.
Owners Harry and Jane Backhouse ensure each of their varying ventures is underpinned by a strong environmental conscience.
From the rearing of their organic beef herd, thriving tree nursery business and award-winning holiday cottages, to the production of 10kg organic beef boxes and the provision of high-tech management training courses, everything they do is driven by a desire to safeguard the environment for future generations.
To book one of the four star holiday cottages at Clough Bottom, or to find out more about their trees and shrubs or organic beef, visit www.cloughbottom.co.uk or call 01254 826285.