Name of your website?grandcentralresort.com
Your name?
Lynn bricwell
Your Location (city, etc)
Eureka Springs
Please give us a short summary of your website?
The 1883 Grand Central Hotel, the oldest hotel in Eureka Springs, is shown along with the Grand Taverne and the Grand Hall. The menus of the Grand Taverne and the Spa at Grand Central are shown. A short Bio of Chef Dave is also shown.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
It is the cheapest and most effective method of advertising in today's market.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
It was launched in the spring of 2004. It was the same as it is today with editorial updates.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
We wanted a name that clearly indicates what we do.
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
The quality of service, the quality of the food, the ambience of the historic Eureka Underground and the warmth of entire hotel makes it different from any experience that you can have in Eureka Springs.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
We will eventually have to sell due to our advancing age. For now, we continue to add services, upgrade existing ones and try to get the word out that we are truly the best secret in town.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
We have emerged from the "investment mode" and are now attempting to improve efficiency. The value of the operation has now about doubled over what it was two years ago based on revenues.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
We would add elevators and probably develop a roof top garden for guest convenience and relaxation.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Probably not since we are really a small operation. We are at about 34% of revenue capacity now.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
A water event in the Grand Hall was a serious setback to our progress. We have since overcome that problem and are really better off now than before.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Starting a Fine Dining restaurant and nurturing it to profitability.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
That is what this new initiative is about. Up to now we haven't done much to promote it. We are linked to www.eurekasprings.com and that is about it.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
It has been a more important source of customers than we expected. We thought that we just put one up and that would be it. But as things developed, it became a dynamic method of getting the news out about product improvements.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
We have been up for about three and one half years. The way competition is going we will never take it down
What is the secret to your success?
Produce a product your customers want and make it better than anyone else. Get the word out. The success will take care of itself.
What is your website address?
grandcentralresort.com
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