For many people, starting a bed and breakfast seems like the perfect business venture. If you’re sick of office life, want to work for yourself and love working with people, then a career as a b&b owner could be for you. But while running a cute guesthouse out in the countryside may seem easy on the outside, it actually requires a lot more hard work and dedication than you might think. We’ve put together some tips and tricks to take on board before starting your own b&b business.

Find the right property

If you’re thinking about running a b&b, you might already have a property in mind that you’d like to transform. If not, this is your chance to decide just what kind of establishment you’re hoping to create. If you live out in the countryside or in a seaside town, this gives you the perfect opportunity to target tourists and increase profit during the holidays. Or if you’d rather stick to city life, you may want to look for a property in a lively, prime city centre location.

Know your competition

Once you’ve found your ideal property, it’s time to start assessing the local competition. Find out which establishments in the area are doing well, and check out their website, social media and even visit to see them for yourself. This will give you a good insight into what kind of prices and facilities your competitors are offering, and allow you to use this to your advantage.

Spruce up your facilities  

Aside from location and price, one of the biggest things people look for in a hotel or b&b are the facilities available. Make sure all your rooms are up to scratch and that the decor is stylish and comfortable. Think of ways to stand out from competitors – this could be as simple as a glass of prosecco on arrival, soaps and shower gels from a well known brand, or a fully stocked mini bar fridge in the room. To make your b&b extra special, offer higher priced luxury rooms to target honeymooners and couples.

Don’t forget marketing

Marketing your b&b in the right way is vital for success. Start by ensuring your website is well designed, easy to use, and features professional images to make a great first impression. Social media should also be utilised, being a great way to attract new customers, promote offers and competitions, and allow guests to leave feedback on their stay. If you have the means to do so, consider enlisting a marketing agency to help boost your SEO rankings and direct more people to your site.

Go above and beyond

Since reviews are so important in the hospitality industry, you’ll need to do everything you can to ensure your guests leave with a smile on their face! Customer service is key, so above all else you should make sure you and all your staff go above and beyond to give guests the best possible experience. Cater to all your guests by providing vegetarian, vegan and gluten free breakfast options, and use only free range eggs and the highest quality ingredients for a stand out menu.