As the world grows a little more digitized with each passing year, more and more people are looking for “real” experiences. With that in mind, the bed and breakfast industry has grown by leaps and bounds. It is also an excellent opportunity for you to get into the hospitality business without having to invest a ton of capital. Whether you have always dreamed of opening your own inn or hotel one day or see this as a side business opportunity, starting a B&B can be profitable and fun. You just need to know what you’re getting into first. Read on for everything you need to know about starting a B&B in your hometown or somewhere new!
First steps towards starting a bed and breakfast
As you get ready to open your own bed and breakfast, you will want to consider a few things. First, you will need to decide whether you want to run a B&B in your current home or find a commercial property to lease or purchase. If you want to keep the B&B in your home, you will want to ensure you have enough room to accommodate guests. You’ll also need to make sure your guest rooms are fully furnished with all that your customers would need. This includes curtains for hotels, a kettle, and a TV. If you want to lease out or buy a commercial property, you will want to look for a building with good access, plenty of parking, proximity to attractions, and great visibility. You will also want to decide between a traditional B&B setup and a themed B&B. A themed B&B is designed to immerse the guest in a particular theme from start to finish.
Research and Location
The first thing you will want to do is conduct some research. This will help you get a handle on the costs associated with running a B&B and potential locations for your business. The best place to start your research is on the B&B website Vrbo.com. The website allows you to search for B&Bs in different locations, view the amenities offered, and get an idea of the associated rates. Once you have a few potential locations in mind, you will want to research the area further. You want to make sure the area can support a B&B. You can use many websites to conduct this research, including Google Trends, Yelp, and City-Data.
Licensing and Repairs
Before you officially open for business, you will want to make sure all of your licensing and permits are in order. This varies from state to state, but you will likely need to get a business license, health inspections, and a few other permits. You can also investigate whether you need to get a zoning permit or not. In many cases, this is up to the discretion of your municipality. You will also want to make sure any repairs or renovations you need to make are done. This is especially important if you open a traditional B&B and rent out rooms in your home. This is also a good time to talk to your insurance agent and ensure you are covered in case of a guest injury or damage.
Marketing and Amenities
Now that you have your location and licensing out of the way, it is time to start marketing your B&B. The first thing you will want to do is create a website for your B&B. This website should feature photos of your property and a description of your amenities, rates, and booking information. You can also use this website to list your hours of operation and payment methods. Once your site is set up, consider advertising it and improving your SEO.
Next, you will want to start getting your name out there. This means creating a social media presence and listing on travel booking sites like TripAdvisor and Airbnb. Before you launch your B&B for real, you may also want to start accepting reservations for free. This will allow you to test out your booking system and see what improvements you need to make.
Bottom line
When you start a bed and breakfast, it can be a rewarding experience. You get to meet new people daily, earn extra income and be your own boss. You will want to ensure you are prepared before diving into the B&B business, though. This includes researching, getting your licensing and permits in order, and marketing your B&B. Then, you just need to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
