Name of your website?Gecko Villa, Thailand
Your name?
Ten Daeng
Your Location (city, etc)
Udon Thani
When did you start your website and why?
We started our website in 2000 to attract a global audience to what is a standalone Villa in Thailand's undiscovered Northeast. Only the internet allows us to reach the overseas market in a cost-effective way.
Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc
The website introduces and describes in detail not only Gecko Villa itself, but also the activities available there with full details on this exciting region that remains to be discovered by the international tourist and holidaymaker. A full pho gallery is also ioncluded so that visitors have a very clear image of the quality of the house.
What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?
Leasrning the basics of HTMl to start with, and then getting to grips with more advanced tools. Most website owners are using the internet as a tool, and the HTML skillset is not one they naturally have!
What nationalities does youre site attract?
A wide variety, from Thais to Eurpoeans, Japanese and Americans to visitors and holiday makers from further afiled. Of course, the nationalities of visitors to the site is also connected to the profile of villa renters in Thailand seeking a superior house rental such as Gecko Villa.
What is the biggest attraction to your site?
We believe that the product itself is the most important - a large country house set among the emeral rice fields of North East Thailand, with a delightful private pool. Of course, the local people themselves are service orientated and this is another reason vacationers seek out a holiday house for rent here - the friendliness and charm of the Thais themselves.
Who maintains your website and why?
Our website is maintained by an Englishman in Bangkok, as we do not have the required literacy upcountry, in what is primordially a rural or agricultural community.
Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?
Our business is alomst entirely internet driven, with the exception of word of mouth referals.
What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?
We believe that the internet offers great potential to smaller independents to market their services and products.
What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
SEO is important but should not in our opinion be overdone. The natural appeal of a site is paramount.
What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?
Search engines are crucial as potential visitors will almost exclusively visit these to identify a possible holiday house in Thailand.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
The quality of the website itself; print and other media, and repeat customers. The unusual name also helps to attract attention!
What method has been least successful for promoting your website?
We avoid any form of paid advertising or listing services.
What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?
Greater penetration in poorer markets and rural areas: the internet is an excllent tool for people in what are offten called third world countries, but often the national infrastructure and education are lacking.
Finally, what feedback do those who have visited both your site and Gecko Villa itself give?
Visitors are generally delighted: the site has given them full and accurate details of the holiday villa in both words and pictures. We then aim to surpass guest satisfaction during their stay at the property, so that clients in turn use the internet - or other forms of communication - with their friends, to encourage them to consider staying at Gecko Villa by simply opening their browser at home and clicking on to http://www.geckovilla.com
What is your website address?
Gecko Villa, Thailand
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