InnFinder B&B Search
Frequently Asked Questions with Answers
Why is InnFinder.com Different?
InnFinder is a search engine specifically designed to make finding bed and breakfast accommodation on the Web easier.
When you search innfinder.com for bed and breakfast accommodation, you are not only searching Innfinder's unique listings of Bed and breakfast inns around the world. You are searching over 225,000 pages on B&B directories, B&B association sites and reservation services for your preferred destination…
That makes InnFinder.com unique among Internet Bed & Breakfast directories.
- Like other directories, InnFinder.com accepts listings based on submissions from innkeepers.
- Unlike other directories, InnFinder.com offers visitors a specialized Bed & Breakfast accommodation search of the entire Internet
There are two ways people search the Internet for Bed & Breakfast accommodation. They choose a B&B directory and search its listings for accommodation options in their desired destination from the directory's limited selection of inns. Alternatively, they visit their favorite search engine and search the entire Internet.
Both ways are unsatisfactory. Choose a directory and your search is limited to those Inns who have chosen to list with that directory. Choose a search engine and you could be refining your search all day.
With InnFinder.com you get the best of both of the usual ways to find B&B accommodation on the Web. You search the largest database of inns available on the Web.
Questions From Innkeepers:
- Innfinder description
- Volunteering
- It's free?
What is your background as creator of Innfinder?
I set up the internationally recognized WWW Server for Virology (a Top 5% Web Site), a teaching and research resource for the study of viruses while I was in a graduate program in Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I now have a Master's degree and am pursuing a career in the area of Internet technology. Mostly I consult for companies that wish to get on the Internet. I have presented papers at international symposia such as the Second International World Wide Web Conference and the Electronic Publishing and the Information Superhighway conference.How did you get started with Innfinder?
I began working closely with the WBBA (Wisconsin B&B Assoc.) in January 1995 and had developed a "prototype" which we showcased at the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism March 5-7. We received many positive responses at the Conference and again presented the directory at the WBBA annual conference in April, where it got rave reviews from all the members in attendance. WBBA mailed out my B&B Directory application form to their members, then these forms were then returned to their Executive Assistant, who inputted the descriptions and sent me a disk along with all of the applications.What do you hope to accomplish with Innfinder?
I hope to make this Directory a valuable tourism resource on the Internet, and a cooperative effort among innkeepers. Eventually, I'd like to also offer online room reservations through this Directory.Has your B&B directory been mentioned in the press?
Innfinder (The Internet Directory of Bed & Breakfasts) has been mentioned in a number of newsletters, including: innkeeping (PAII's newsletter), INNMarketing, Kansas Assoc. newsletter, Wyoming Assoc. (WHOA) newsletter, Pennsylvania Assoc. newsletter, Ohio Assoc. newsletter, Ontario Assoc. newsletter, Oregon Assoc. newsletter, Arkansas Assoc. newsletter, and Illinois Assoc. newsletter. If there are others that I've missed, please email me and let me know!
2. Volunteering
I need volunteers! In order for me to offer it for free I need your assistance with disseminating the application forms, with data entry, and with keeping the information up-to-date. Here's what I need from you:- If you are representing a B&B Association:
- On this web site is a printable application form for Innfinder. Please print out a copy (requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader), make some photocopies and distribute them to your members. Collect the application forms from your members along with image scanning fees for those who submit photos. Make a photocopy of the application forms. Send the original signed application forms to me.
- A representative(s) from your association will need to input these application forms. In order to do this, you will need to be hooked up to the Internet. The data entry is done online by choosing the "Add Listing" option from the Innfinder home page.
- Your association will need to keep your members' information up-to-date. This would mean periodically checking the accuracy of entries in the Directory which you are responsible for. For instance, if there is an inn that has changed its name, you'll need to correct that (editing can also be done online.)
- If you are not representing a B&B Association:
- On this web site is a printable application form for Innfinder. Please print out a copy (requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader), make some photocopies and distribute them to fellow innkeepers and to your associations for them to distribute to the other members. Then fill one out yourself if you haven't already done so.
- I need some representatives from each state/province to agree to do data entry for their region. In order to do this, you will need to be hooked up to the Internet. The data entry is done online by choosing the "Add Listing" option from the Innfinder home page.
- I need some representatives from each state/province to agree to keep the information up-to-date. This would mean periodically checking the accuracy of entries in the Directory which you are responsible for. For instance, if there is an inn that is out of business, I would need you to let me know that.
What's in it for me if I help?
- If you are representing a B&B Association:
In exchange for your association's help with dissemination and collection of application forms, data entry and checking periodically whether the information for your member inns are complete and accurate, your association (as long as it represents more than 25 inns) may have a "home page" residing on my Directory -- offering details to the millions of Internet users such as the benefits of membership, contact information, etc. -- for FREE. You personally (with assocation affiliation shown) will also be listed in the Contributors and Volunteers section of the Directory. - If you are not representing a B&B Association:
In exchange for your help with data entry (with a minimum of 25 applications), your inn will be the "Inn of the Day," listed prominently on the main screen of the Directory, for at least one day per year. You will also be listed in the Contributors and Volunteers section of the Directory.
Ok, I want to help! How do I get started?
Contact us at Innfinder@Innfinder.com!
3. Why are you providing this service for free?*
Because I thoroughly enjoy the "B&B experience." I think this Directory is an idea whose time has come and a very fitting use of the Internet. Only by providing a quality service at a low cost can we hope to have a comprehensive B&B Directory on the Internet.* It's free if you enter your listing online and include no photos.
How can you offer this service for free?
I have a server already on the Internet so there is no additional cost for me to have this Directory residing on the server. The real cost for me is in my time. That's where you come in!What's your affiliation with PAII?
PAII, the Professional Association of Innkeepers International, is an international association comprised of bed & breakfast innkeepers and suppliers to the innkeeping industry. Innfinder (under my company Netconcepts) is an associate member of PAII. I also developed the PAII Web Site for them. Jo Ann Bell, Co-Executive Director of PAII, is my contact at PAII, if you are a PAII member and have questions regarding Innfinder. Also, I was a presenter at the Fourth International PAII Conference.
