ChaletFinder.co.uk, one of the UK’s largest online advertising portals for alpine accommodation, is heading into the 2015-16 winter ski season with a completely refreshed, industry leading consumer website, being delivered by a new owner and team that’s now spearheading an aggressive growth plan for the business.
ChaletFinder has been advertising ski chalets and ski travel in Europe, as well as Japan, the Nordics, Canada and the US, for more than 20 years and earlier this year underwent a change of ownership and injection of investment, which saw the introduction of a new team.
The North West based company is being led into its third decade by newly appointed managing director Oliver Bailey along with co-shareholders Alec Guthrie and Graham Woods.
In 2014 ChaletFinder.co.uk received more than 350,000 visitors delivering in excess of 50,000 enquiries for its advertisers. As it re-launches this week, it has over 1400 properties being advertised and 500+ advertisers. It is aiming to at least double traffic to the site as it ramps up its consumer marketing for the coming season.
Advertisers range from independent chalet and apartment owners to larger alpine travel groups such as Pierre et Vacances, Mark Warner, Powder White and Alpine Action, offering catered and self catered chalets, apartments and rooms in top hotels, in more than 150 resorts.
The new responsive website has been designed to provide the ultimate user-friendly experience with improved navigation and functionality throughout, allowing customers to access comprehensive property information and view detailed images of the accommodation and resort across mobile devices as well as desktop computers. Visitors can also benefit from richer online content that is easier to share with others.
ChaletFinder advertising partners can take advantage of a simplified homepage and featured advertising opportunities. On site sponsored search results by country, region and resort provide cost effective opportunities for both single property owners as well as large holiday operators. There are also regular monthly email communications to over 65,000 subscribers.
The digital investment extends beyond the site with a comprehensive SEO strategy to ensure improved and sustained visibility. Former Laterooms.com search specialist Michael Cropper is implementing SEO, while PR activity will help ChaletFinder to build relationships with influential travel writers and socially the brand will be very active to engage audiences in social media channels.
Managing director, Oliver Bailey explained:
“By talking with clients and customers we have gained valuable insight and feedback into their requirements from an online advertising portal, this has formed the bedrock of changes we’ve put in place. Ongoing insight and data is also informing future developments for taking the brand forward. Combining this with the experienced individuals we have brought together to create a new team has allowed us to create the right foundations for significant growth this year.
“The personal level of service we offer our advertising partners, improved search engine visibility and the quality of enquiries, many of which have been qualified via our proactive Live Chat function, sets us apart from other online providers and has been a key area of investment in terms of both technology and resource. Our partners receive well-qualified leads that have proven to convert extremely well”
“For those seeking accommodation, our website applies the latest digital techniques and industry leading search functionality to make booking extremely easy, plus our team and their expert knowledge adds invaluable personal support to customer enquiries from specific dietary requirements to large corporate trips; we ensure everyone finds the right place for them.”
