Third Party Sites – the basics you need to know

I love the spirt of collaboration that runs through the whole of the wedding industry. From styled shoots to general brand cheerleading across social media, there’s no other industry like it. I definitely feel that as a venue it’s a case of being stronger together, which is why working with third-party websites makes perfect sense to me. Even with the most beautiful website featuring the very best SEO, reaching every potential customer out there can be a seriously tricky job without the expert help of third-party sites. Let’s face it, most couples will start their search with a simple ‘wedding venues near me’ Google, and the first websites they’ll see are third-party websites like Bridebook, Hitched and Coco Weddings. If you want to make your third-party listing really work hard, here’s all the basics you need to know.

Looks matter

When it comes to third-party listings, it’s all about the pictures. I can’t tell you how many times I have looked at a beautiful venue on a third-party site, and the cover image is so underwhelming, I almost scroll past it. Think about it –?this image is what will draw the couple in and make them want to learn more. Don’t let such a simple fix lose you business. Your main cover image should always be a stunning, wide shot of the outside of your venue. As ever, there are exceptions to the rule, such as if the outside of your venue isn’t particularly a selling point – maybe you’re a central London venue where it’s the interiors that really shine. You know your venue best, so pick the biggest selling point you can. Include a great mix of exterior and interior shots – a combination of inspirational real wedding photos and venue shots is ideal. And don’t forget the power of video!

Include the details

This may sound like I’m stating the obvious, but I’ve come across way too many venue listings with so many crucial bits of info missing I’ve genuinely lost count. If your profile is not completed to 100%, you’re unlikely to rank on the first page, and let’s be honest, that’s where you need to be to get any traction on third-party sites. Take the time to complete these fully – I’m talking everything from comprehensive pricing and costs details to all the facilities you offer. Pet friendly? Shout about it! Have plenty of on-site parking? Make sure it’s covered in your listing.

Keep it current

Another thing that instantly lets any third-party listing down is when your details aren’t current. OK, so you may start with the best intentions before things start to slide when you’re super-busy, but it’s crucial to ensure all the information and pricing is up to date. There’s nothing worse than looking on a venue’s third-party listing page and seeing out of date information, because it makes it seem like you aren’t on the platform that often. And if you’re not, why would the couple bother to follow up and enquire on there? Having the right information online ensures that all couples coming to your sales team are pre-qualified – music to the ears of any venue salesperson!

Reviews, reviews, reviews.?

Don’t leave good reviews from couples sitting in your inbox – as soon as they come in get them on your third-party sites. If you can, get the couple to write the review themselves on the platform! Not all third-party sites are the same – some don’t care whether a couple has added the review themselves, or you have added it as a testimonial. However, platforms like Bridebook do, and it can affect your ranking. A review a couple has uploaded themselves speaks volumes. If a couple has taken time to write about how much they love a particular venue, other couples are going to sit up and take notice. To find out a bit more about why reviews matter so much for venues, do have a read of my The power of wedding venue reviews bulletin from earlier this year.

Ready to turbo-charge your third-party listings?

Using third-party websites effectively will absolutely transform your business, but I understand it feels like yet another demand on your time and resources when you’re hosting or planning back-to-back weddings. Let us give you that time back. At The Venue Experts we live and breathe wedding venue marketing and sales. We know what works and how to make those changes, and we can do it all for you so you can focus on planning and hosting amazing weddings. Sound good? Drop us an email at [email protected] or click here to find out how we can help.