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How did the project start?
The project started with an idea while I was on holiday. This was to swap motorhomes for holidays, the same way as house holiday swaps work. I knew little about computers and websites.
What options did you consider?
A website was really the only option for this type of business. I researched the internet to see if any existing websites were running and found there wasn't anything substantial. From there the website was developed.
What help and expertise did you receive?
I started the website and funded it myself. I found that Business Link were a great help and they put me in touch with Tynedale Enterprise. The Tynedale Enterprise Project have helped me put together a team. Using local people/businesses with help from terms and conditions, press releases, photos etc.
Did you face and challenges or learn any lessons?
My first challenge was funding the website. Then came the challenge of finding my way around a computer. It takes a long time for a website to come high in the ratings of google. To increase the traffic to the website and in turn bring it up in the ratings I have found that link exchanges work best. The website has to cover countries worldwide to be a success, to do this I have sent thousands of press releases out to newspapers and magazines all over the world. I now have compiled over 7000 email addresses of editors of newspapers and magazines from around the world.
What are the outcomes and how has it improved your business?
Motorhome Holiday Swap now has over 100 link exchanges all relevant to motorhomes and holidays. This has brought it up in the ratings and is now on the first page on google. We are currently receiving 45,000 to 52,000 hits per month with an average of 3 people registering daily. We have had features in many newspapers and magazine such as the LA Times, France Magazine, Oregon Express, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror, Times, Australian Camping and Caravan Magazine, The Herald (NZ) to name but a few. We have also had interviews on local radio. The database now has people registered from New Zealand, Australia, USA, France, Holland, Germany, South Africa, Spain, UK, Ireland, Switzerland and Canada. All the publicity is increasing interest and building the database up.
What are your plans for the future?
The website is having a revamp at the moment with a for sale page, a forum and a private hire page. We are also going to have a monthly newsletter emailed to all members with advertising space. I have also started a new website doing the same thing but for static caravans and this will go live some time this year www.mobilehomeholidayswap.com. I hope to have one of the largest and most reputable motorhome websites on the net.
