Owning a B&B is more than just renting rooms; it's about creating an unforgettable experience for travellers seeking a taste of home away from home. But in today's digital world, how do you entice potential guests and showcase the unique charm of your B&B? The answer lies in crafting a captivating website that acts as your digital concierge, welcoming visitors and piquing their interest.
Potential guests search online first, so a captivating website is your chance to make a lasting impression, showcase your unique charm, and ultimately, secure bookings. But with so many website builders and templates available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.
Don't worry, Touch Stay is here to help! We've compiled a list of 8 of the best B&B website templates designed specifically for businesses like yours, along with some helpful tips for customising your online presence.
- Who needs a B&B website?
- What are the benefits of a B&B website?
- How to create a B&B website
- 8 of the best B&B website templates
- Customise your B&B website
Who needs a B&B website?
If you run a B&B, you need a website! Here's why:
- Attract new guests: a website increases your online presence, making it easier for potential guests to find you amidst a sea of accommodation options.
- Become independent of online booking platforms: if you want to establish your brand and build your own online presence, while it won’t happen overnight, starting with a website that optimised for searches in your location is a great place to start
- Tell your B&B's story: go beyond just listing amenities. Share your B&B's history, the warmth of your hospitality, and the unique qualities that set you apart. This personal touch builds trust and attracts guests who resonate with your vision.
- Showcase your sanctuary: high-quality photos are key - videos too! Capture the beauty of your guest rooms, inviting common areas, and the surrounding landscape. Give visitors a virtual tour that ignites their desire to experience it in person and imagine themselves there instantly.
- Boost bookings: offer a seamless booking process directly through your website, eliminating reliance on third-party platforms and keeping more revenue in your pocket.
- Become a local area expert: provide local recommendations, share your favourite walking paths, or highlight nearby attractions. This positions you as a local expert and enhances the guest experience even before their arrival. Learn how to create the perfect local area guide.
By creating a captivating website, you're well on your way to attracting happy visitors and building a thriving B&B business.
What are the benefits of a B&B website?
A well-crafted website offers a treasure trove of benefits for B&Bs, including:
- Increased bookings and reduced vacancies: attract guests directly and fill those empty rooms.
- Boosted revenue: eliminate commission fees charged by OTAs and keep more of your hard-earned cash.
- Control over your brand and guest experience: craft your own narrative, highlight unique features, and set your own house rules.
- Enhanced guest communication: provide all the information guests need upfront, reducing enquiries and streamlining communication.
- Improved guest experience: offer online booking, local recommendations, and a chance to connect with guests before their arrival.
How to create a B&B website
There are multiple ways to build a website:
- Website builders: user-friendly platforms like Wix and Squarespace offer easy drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-designed templates specifically designed for B&Bs.
- Content Management Systems (CMS): WordPress offers extensive customisation but requires more technical knowledge for set-up and maintenance.
- Property Management Systems (PMS): many PMS systems include built-in website builders. This can streamline bookings, but design flexibility might be limited.
Consider your budget, technical skills, and desired level of customisation when selecting a platform.
8 of the best B&B website templates
At Touch Stay, we know that creating a beautiful and informative website for your B&B can feel overwhelming. But fret no more - here are 8 B&B website templates we adore, designed specifically for charming B&Bs like yours! Each comes with its own set of pros and cons to help you find the perfect fit:
1. Wix
A household name in website creation, Wix offers a vast selection of templates, including some perfect for B&Bs.
- Pros: user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality, ideal for beginners. Affordable option with various customisation features.
- Cons: free plan has limited features and Wix branding. May require additional plugins for advanced functionalities.
2. Select Registry
While not offering B&B website templates per se, Select Registry acts as an online portfolio of North America’s best B&Bs, and holds the lodgings they list to the highest standards. And what’s even better is that Select Registry members are given a free Touch Stay digital guidebook!
- Pros: elegant design with a focus on high-quality photos, perfect for showcasing a charming countryside B&B. Easy integration with Select Registry's booking system. No costs per click or commissions.
- Cons: limited customisation options compared to some platforms.
3. Squarespace’s ‘Suffolk’ template
Renowned for its sleek design and ease of use, Squarespace boasts beautiful templates that can be easily adapted for B&Bs.
- Pros: beautiful templates with a focus on clean lines and minimalist design. Easy to use with built-in features like galleries and booking forms.
- Cons: limited free plan options. May require additional plugins for advanced functionalities like integrating a PMS.
4. Webflow’s ‘Guest House’ template
For design-savvy B&B owners with a vision, Webflow offers fantastic creative control and powerful features to craft a website that truly stuns.
- Pros: offers complete design freedom for creating a website that perfectly reflects your B&B's unique style. Powerful platform with advanced features like animations and interactions.
- Cons: while fairly easy to use, it does require some design and coding skills. Not ideal for beginners with limited technical knowledge. Pricing plans can be higher compared to other website builders.
5. Divi by Elegant Themes (WordPress theme)
Hitting that sweet spot between user-friendliness and customisation, Divi by Elegant Themes is a popular choice with B&B business owners worldwide.
- Pros: simple drag-and-drop page builder with beautiful templates for B&Bs. Offers a good balance between ease of use and customisation options. Integrates with various plugins.
- Cons: requires a WordPress hosting plan and purchase of the Divi theme. Themes can be an ongoing cost compared to subscription-based website builders.
6. TemplateMonster
TemplateMonster offers a wide selection of B&B website templates, from budget-friendly options to feature-rich premium themes. Many are built with popular platforms like WordPress, making them easy to set up and manage.
- Pros: huge variety of templates to choose from, caters to different budgets and skill levels.
- Cons: requires some technical knowledge to install and customise, premium templates can be pricey.
7. Little Hotelier
Little Hotelier is a website builder specifically designed for small hotels and accommodations, aiming to simplify the process of creating a professional online presence and increasing direct bookings.
- Pros: the platform is designed for ease of use, even for those with limited technical expertise. Seamlessly connects your website with your booking system to manage reservations and payments in one place.
- Cons: while customisable, the templates may not offer the same level of design freedom as a fully custom-built website. May not offer the same level of scalability as a custom solution.
8. Clockwork Marketing bespoke website
Why not let someone else handle the website design? With 30 years in hospitality and hotel marketing, Clockwork Marketing offers customers the choice of countless pre-built designs or bespoke websites created from the ground up, specifically for your B&B business.
- Pros: user-friendly, SEO and mobile-optimised websites built with a content management system (CMS) specifically designed for hospitality businesses. Easily to update your website yourself without having to hire a web developer.
- Cons: Clockwork Marketing does not use third-party web technologies, which could make it difficult to switch to another web design company in the future.
Check this out...
Touch Stay customer, Barnstead Inn, is a perfect example of a B&B with a simple and cleanly-designed bespoke B&B website:
Not only is their website great for managing bookings, but their Touch Stay digital guidebook is perfect for showcasing their property and boosting revenue by offering effortless upsells, like their various Welcome, Romance, and Picnic Packages, plus massages to help guests unwind during their stay.
Remember, the best template is the one that reflects your B&B's unique personality!
Bonus tip: streamline guest communication and enhance stays - integrate a sneak peek of your B&B digital guidebook directly on your website! This reduces repetitive guest questions by providing all the essential information about their stay, local recommendations, and helpful tips. Guests will have everything they need for a fantastic stay, right at their fingertips.
Click the image below to see how Sea View Cottage previews their Touch Stay guidebook on their website:
Learn how to embed a guidebook preview on your B&B website.
Customise your B&B website
Now that you've chosen a B&B website template, here are some tips for customising your website:
- High-quality photos: showcase your B&B in all its glory with professional or high-quality relevant photos. Highlight guest rooms, common areas, delicious breakfasts, and the surrounding landscape.
- Compelling content: write engaging descriptions that capture the essence of your B&B's charm, hospitality, and local attractions.
- Mobile-friendly design: ensure your website displays and functions flawlessly on all devices, especially smartphones. Most online searches happen on mobile devices!
- Crystal clear calls to action: make it easy for guests to book a stay by including clear calls to action, such as ‘Book Now’ buttons and contact information.
- Touch Stay integration: integrate your B&B’s Touch Stay digital guidebook to provide a comprehensive and informative resource for guests, reducing questions and enhancing their stay.
By creating a captivating B&B website that showcases your property's unique charm and provides all the information guests need, you'll be well on your way to attracting happy visitors and building a thriving B&B business.
Try Touch Stay today and discover how a digital guidebook can take your guest experience to the next level
