As a Wedding Venue, Vendor or Professional, there are many avenues that you generate your leads. Vendor Relationships and Word-of-Mouth are some tried-and-true methods, but the business has changed over the past decade. Social Media and Online Listings have gained prevalence--not to mention, competition is fierce.
So how important is it to be listed on an Online Listing Site for Wedding Vendors?
Very important! There are so many positives to being features on one of the many online listing sites. Below I will give you a summary of how these sites can make a difference, and what sites I recommend you start with.
How Being Featured on a Wedding Vendor Online Listing Website (such as The Knot and WeddingWire) Will Benefit Your Business
1. It's Where the Brides are Looking
If a Bride or Groom does not have someone guiding their way, referring vendors to them, they are going to rely on the Internet. (It's where we look up everything else, right?) The modern Bride or Groom is a comparison shopper--whether your comparing prices for a cell phone, or for a Wedding Vendor Package.
Websites like The Knot and Wedding Wire offer couples an online district of vendors in their area--they will click and compare your profile to others, and very often, bulk message each vendor who makes the cut. And while being directly compared to others may be a turn-off, don't let it leave a bad taste in your mouth. If you respond promptly, the battle is almost won. Couples who inquire online typically love a fast e-mail response time, and are very receptive to it if they like what they hear in your reply!
2. It Leaves the SEO to Them!
No matter how equipped your website is with SEO, I can confidently deduce that sites like The Knot and WeddingWire will be one step ahead. Whenever I google a location and vendor type, the first sites that come up are always listing sites, and not individual vendors.
If I can't secure the first non-ad slot in Google Search, I can at least be featured on the site that is. I took a screen shot to show you the usual results found when searching for regional wedding vendors.
3. A Central Place for Reviews
Sites like WeddingWire and The Knot also offer a spot for reviews from past couples. Couples are typically favorable when reviewing on these platforms, since it requires signing up for an account to join (and who wants to sign up for an account AFTER their Wedding, right?). This gives the review value to prospective couples, as they know they are receiving honest feedback from a legitimate customer.
4. It Offers Everything You Want to Show In One Place
A portfolio of photos, links to your website and social media pages, contact information, reviews and any pricing or company information you opt to provide all gets featured on these listings. This is convenient for both you, and for the prospective client!
5. An Incredible Volume of Leads
I am specifically referring to The Knot, with WeddingWire coming in second. When tracking vendors lead generations, second to inquiries coming in directly to the website are leads from The Knot--and sometimes it would be first place. Leads came in from The Knot almost daily, with steadiness through engagement off-season. WeddingWire also offers a consistent lead source.
What Does This Mean?
If you are good at booking brides, then you will make the money you invest back. Prices for these sites can vary site to site, and they also vary by vendor. What I have spent on-behalf of a venue is astronomical compared to what is spent on behalf of a Day-of-Coordinator. However, a venue can make in one booking what a coordinator would make in 10 bookings, meaning that the listing fee is essentially based on the potential profit from the leads.
What I have learned is that it will take just 1-3 bookings to earn back what you will spend on the listing.
If that is a comfortable trade-off for you, then I absolutely recommend getting in the game and appearing on these sites!
Not comfortable with taking the plunge yet?
Look into your local site listings. Local Wedding Websites are significantly cheaper in price, and some may even be free! Keep in mind, the difference in price also means a difference in lead volume. However, it is a great way to build up comfort with these websites.
In the meantime, I recommend starting with the two websites I mentioned the most, The Knot and WeddingWire. A sales representative from either site will reach out to you, explaining package tiers and pricing.
Find them here!
www.theknot.com
www.weddingwire.com
And don't forget to follow me on Social Media, and to visit my blog for more posts like this one!