If you’re a bed and breakfast or small inn, chances are you put a lot of love into your guest experience—from new breakfast dishes to extending yourself in dozens of ways each day to make guests comfortable. But when was the last time you gave that same attention to your website’s blog? While it may have once been a vibrant hub of seasonal updates, travel tips, or local events, many inn blogs now sit gathering virtual dust. And that’s a problem.
Old Blog Posts Can Hurt More Than Help
Search engines like Google evaluate your entire website when determining how and where to rank your content. If your blog contains outdated posts, broken links, or irrelevant topics, it can affect your site’s overall visibility. Think of your website as a garden—those old blog posts that haven’t been touched in years? They’re weeds.
Even worse, potential guests who click on an outdated post might question whether you’re still in business or whether your inn is keeping up with the times. A blog post about “Fall Foliage in 2018” signals neglect. Guests are looking for current, relevant, and trustworthy information. If your blog doesn’t offer that, they may move on to a competitor who does.
The Hidden Value of Refreshing Old Blog Posts
Fast SEO Wins Without Starting From Scratch
The great news is, you don’t need to write everything from scratch. Refreshing old content is one of the smartest, most cost-effective ways to boost your site’s SEO. Instead of creating a new post, you can take an older one and:
- Update the year and any time-sensitive information
- Replace outdated links with current ones
- Add relevant keywords your potential guests are searching for now
- Improve the formatting for easier reading on mobile
- Include high-quality images
These quick updates signal to Google that your site is active, relevant, and worthy of a higher spot in search results.
Boost Trust and Engagement with Guests
Your blog is a reflection of your inn’s personality and professionalism. Updated posts help build confidence with potential guests. When your blog features recent local events, timely travel tips, and fresh photography, it tells your visitors: “We care, we’re engaged, and we’re here for you.” Read more about blogging and SEO for innkeepers.
Improve Internal Linking and Reduce Bounce Rates
As you refresh older posts, you can link them to newer blog content, your FAQ page, or specific room packages. This keeps visitors on your site longer, encourages exploration, and improves your bounce rate—another signal Google loves.
Our Year-long Blogging + SEO Refresh Service
We’re offering a brand-new service tailored specifically for innkeepers like you: a full-year blogging program that includes SEO-focused blog refreshes and fresh, monthly posts.
Here’s what you get:
Comprehensive Blog Refresh
We go through your existing posts and:
- Rewrite or optimize outdated content
- Replace or fix broken links
- Add compelling title tags and meta descriptions
- Optimize for keywords your audience is searching for now
- Add schema markup and SEO snippets
- Resize and tag images for speed and visibility
Monthly SEO Blog Posts
We create one professionally written blog post per month tailored to:
- Your inn’s unique offerings
- Local events and area highlights
- Seasonal travel trends
- Special packages or promotions you want to push
Every post is:
- Optimized for search engines
- Includes strategic keyword placement
- Geared toward converting browsers into bookers
Strategic Content Calendar
We build a content calendar around your local tourism cycles, room availability, and annual events to maximize visibility during key booking windows. Read more about our on-site SEO packages.
Why Every Inn Needs FAQ Pages
In addition to a refreshed blog, two types of FAQ pages are essential for your website:
1. An FAQ About Your Inn
This page saves time and answers guest concerns before they call. It might include:
- What time is check-in/check-out?
- Do you have a late check out?
- Are you pet-friendly?
- What breakfast options do you provide?
Answering these up front can increase bookings and reduce friction.
2. An FAQ About Your Area
This positions you as a local expert and helps your site show up for searches like “best restaurants near (your town)” or “what to do in [region] this weekend.”
Popular questions lately include:
- What is the best time to visit [town]?
- What are the top attractions nearby?
- Is there a local farmers’ market?
- What activities are available for kids/couples?
These FAQ pages are keyword goldmines and can drive serious traffic to your site.
Benefits of Blogging for Innkeepers
- Increased search visibility: Blog content helps you rank for more keywords.
- Stronger guest relationships: Visitors get to know your personality and values.
- More direct bookings: Well-placed calls to action guide readers to your booking engine.
- Content for social media and newsletters: Blog posts give you material to share and recycle.
- Authority and trust: Blogging shows you’re engaged and knowledgeable.
Top Blogging FAQs for Innkeepers
1. Why is blogging important for my inn?
Blogging improves your visibility in search engines, helps you connect with potential guests, and gives your site a sense of freshness and activity that builds trust.
2. How often should I blog?
Once a month is a great start. It keeps your site active in Google’s eyes without overwhelming you.
3. What kind of topics should I blog about?
Topics should highlight your inn, the local area, travel tips, seasonal events, food, and things to do. Think: “5 Hidden Gems Near Our Inn” or “Our 7 Favorite Restaurants”.
4. Can old blog posts hurt my search rankings?
Yes. Posts that are outdated, have broken links, or contain irrelevant content can reduce your site’s credibility with search engines.
5. Should I delete old blog posts?
Not necessarily. It’s better to refresh and optimize them. Deleting them could cause you to lose any SEO value they’ve built up over time.
6. How long should blog posts be?
Aim for at least 800 words. Posts between 800–1500 words tend to perform best for SEO.
7. What is a meta description and why does it matter?
It’s the short summary that appears under your blog title in search results. A compelling meta description can increase clicks to your site.
8. Can blogging help reduce cancellations?
Indirectly, yes. A well-informed guest is more confident in their booking. Blogs and FAQs reduce uncertainty and improve satisfaction.
9. What’s the difference between a blog post and a page?
Blog posts are timely and often tied to events or updates. Pages are more permanent and cover static topics (like your room descriptions or FAQs).
10. How can I get started?
Reach out to us! We’ll evaluate your current blog, recommend a plan, and get to work revitalizing your content for better results and more bookings.
Don’t Let Stale Content Keep You Invisible
Blogging isn’t going anywhere. It remains one of the best ways to boost visibility, build trust, and increase direct bookings—if it’s done well. Don’t let neglected content work against you.
Our blogging + SEO refresh service is designed specifically for inns like yours. We know the hospitality industry, understand how travelers search, and can help turn old content into new opportunities.
Let’s get your blog blooming again.
