This is obviously going to have some implications for you! We’ll be switching to www.bluechipholidays.co.uk as of 9.00am 4th OCTOBER 2010, so any links coming into our site will need to be changed to this domain. As of 9.30 am on this day, a new datafeed with the new correct URL’s will be uploaded to our merchant area on A Win and it is strongly advised you work from this from that point onwards. Any bespoke requirements can be met by this time, so please send me an outline of what you would need and I’ll send that over to you as soon as the new domain goes live.

The change of name obviously brings with it a change of logo, so all current banners will be replace with fresh ones, complete with more relevant images and up to date text, and will showcase some of our new locations, including the Isle of Wight and Wales.

Why change?

We’ve been through an extensive rebranding process, and after hours of meetings, county-wide focus groups and much deliberation; the new name was decided on. The feedback we got was positive on the Blue Chip front-conveying an idea of quality and luxury, but the “vacations”, combined with our current “.com” status, was leading many customers to believe we were not based in the UK, with a decidedly American feel, which was putting off potential customers. It is hoped that the change will result in a more consistent image, which, combined with our new “.co.uk” suffix, will encourage customer confidence and thus increase our conversion rates.

If you want any further information on this, or any advice on the switch, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 01803 881020 or on MSN: anthonybcv@hotmail.co.uk.

With this in mind, we are launching the very first Blue Chip Vacations Affiliate Survey, something we are aiming to do every year from now on. We’d love you to take 5 minutes to answer the 13 questions and let us know what you like and what you don’t, how you think we could make the experience better for you!

Please be completely honest, even if you’ve signed up and not taken it any further, we’d love to hear what could entice you to get more involved with our programme. We won’t be sharing this information with any third parties, but anything we think may be valuable could be passed on to Affiliate Window.

To take part in the survey, click here.

I really hope you find time to complete this; we will be acting on your feedback!

Look forward to hearing from you.

Anthony

Following a comprehensive usability and user experience study by Foolproof, Blue Chip have made some big changes to the look and feel of the main site; as well as improving functionality and navigation for a more user-centric approach.

What does it mean for you?

Well first of all you don’t need to change your links. The new site has been fully tested and all affiliate tracking and click-append to remove the main phone number are working correctly as for the old site. All the changes are aimed at improving customer experience at whatever stage of their holiday planning journey – from fact finding about the area to comparing features of individual properties. The big picture is that this should help in the decision making process and lead ultimately to increased online bookings and improved conversion rates.

The slides below indicate the changes that have been made to the site and the benefits that these changes should have.

The Home Page

Blue Chip Vacations' Home page changes

The changes to the home page are largely cosmetic, with a new cleaner look and feel. In addition we have introduced new ways to search for a property, breaking down by holiday type for those browsers without a particular area in mind.

Search results page

Blue Chip Vacations: Search results page

The search results pages now include a horizontal search box allowing the user to amend their search criteria on the page. It more clearly shows the choices that they have already made and offers further options for refining their search.

We have also introduced a shortlist function to the search results page, allowing users to save their favourite properties while they browse others and to compare their property choices before making a final decision.

Town Landing page

Blue Chip Vacations: Town Landing Page

The changes to the town, area and county pages include a written introduction to that place, large image banners and a brief introduction to Blue Chip. These pages can all be deeplinked to and may provide more appropriate alternative landing pages to the home page for much affiliate traffic. The changes to content and layout of these pages means that they should work out of context of the rest of the site; they do not assume that the visitor has any prior knowledge of either the area or Blue Chip, and so should provide a smoother journey and reduce bounce rates.

Property Page

Blue Chip Vacations: New Property Page

The property pages have undergone perhaps the most radical overhaul. Blue Chip are particularly proud of their property images – all of which are commissioned by professional photographers. To make the most of them, the lead display image is now much larger than previously, and any interaction with the images will generate a full screen lightbox slideshow of all the images.

Other big changes to this page include:

Pricing and Availability tab

Blue Chip Vacations: Property pricing and availability tab

Hopefully this summary of the changes to the Blue Chip Vacations website has been useful and we think you will agree that they will be beneficial to improving conversion rates.

If you have any feedback on the new site or would like to discuss working with Blue Chip in the future, please get in touch at affiliates@bluechipvacations.com or feel free to leave a comment.

Christmas Holidays with Blue Chip Vacations

Christmas and New Year are peak booking periods in the UK, with thousands of people looking for their ideal Christmas getaway in the South West every year.   And remember – you’ve got 2 great chances to win a holiday with Blue Chip Vacations when you make a sale for a Christmas holiday this year:

• Christmas incentive: The affiliate making the most Christmas and New Year sales will win a stay at Bredon Court in Newquay
• 2009 sale incentive: All affiliates making sales for holidays departing in 2009 will be entered into a draw to win a stay at Nassau Court in North Devon.

Top 10 Christmas & Winter Break Ideas from Blue Chip Vacations

To help you off to the best start with your Christmas campaigns for Blue Chip Vacations, we have put together our top 10 Christmas break ideas.  All content on this page is unique and links directly to a landing page on the Blue Chip Vacations site

1. 10% off Christmas Breaks

10% off all Christmas and New Year Breaks! Guests can save 10% on any Christmas or New Year holiday with Blue Chip Vacations when they quote code: “CNY10″ at booking.  Holiday must be a minimum of 3 nights and arrive between 19th December 2009 and 2nd January 2010.

LANDING PAGE DEEPLINK: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/calendar/save-10-on-all-christmas-and-new-year-breaks.html

Discount code: CNY10

2. Secret Santa Competition

Secret Santa Competition All guests booking their Christmas holiday in the South West with Blue Chip Vacations, by December 13th will be entered into a prize draw.  One lucky winner will have presents to a value of £250, plus a Riverford Farm Luxury Christmas Hamper under the Christmas tree in their chosen property on arrival.  Stays must be a minimum of 3 nights and include Christmas Day to be eligible for entry into the draw.

LANDING PAGE DEEPLINK: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/calendar/christmas-breaks.html

3. Newquay 12 days of Christmas

Newquay’s 12 Days of Christmas Event: Visitors to the popular town of Newquay on the North Coast of Cornwall are an for a treat this Christmas as the town puts on its “12 days of Christmas Festival”.   Festive events and Christmas celebrations for all the family begin on 12th December.

LANDING PAGE DEEPLINK: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/blog/anthony-dodd/tis-the-season.html

Blue Chip Newquay site: http://newquay.bluechipvacations.com/

4. 20% off luxury Christmas in Cawsand

Save 20% on Luxury Christmas in Cawsand, South Cornwall. Enjoy an indulgent, luxury Christmas at one of Blue Chip Vacations’ most exclusive properties: My View in Cawsand, South Cornwall – and save 20% if you book before 1st December! Property sleeps 9.  Facilities include: private indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, pool tables and 3 balconies with stunning sea views.

LANDING PAGE DEEPLINK: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/blog/cornish-christmas-in-gorgeous-cawsand.html

PROPERTY DEEPLINK: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/holiday-cottages/kingsand-cawsand/my-view.html

5. Extra Special Christmas Breaks

Christmas breaks with added extras. A great selection of Blue Chip Vacations’ cottages and apartments will be decorated for Christmas and provide extra gifts for guests to make their Christmas holiday that little bit more special!  Gifts include Christmas hampers, bottles of Cahmpagne, chocolates, toys for younger guests and much more.  See individual properties for details of their Christmas gifts.

LANDING PAGE DEEPLINK: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/blog/anthony-dodd/christmas-escapes-with-added-extras.html

All available properties with Christmas extras: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/calendar/christmas-breaks.html

6. Early booking competition - Win your 2010 holiday!

Early booking offer: win your 2010 holiday if you book before 31st December 2009! To kick off their 10th Birthday celebrations in 2010, Blue Chip Vacations are giving one lucky customer the chance to win their 2010 holiday if they book before 31.12.09.  The winner will receive a full refund on the cost of their holiday, a meal at one of the South West’s top restaurants and a gift experience.  There will be 2 further runner-up prizes. Get your 2010 holiday booking in now for your chance to win – and look out for more 10 year celebration offers in 2010!

LANDING PAGE DEEPLINK: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/special-offers-on-holiday-cottages-and-apartments/10th-anniversary-prize-draw.html

7. Christmas shopping breaks

Christmas Shopping Breaks in the South West FROM £36PP! We’ve put togoether some ideas for Christmas shopping breaks in the South West – from the highstreet shopping centres of Plymouth and Exeter; to the bargains to be found at the retail outlets of Atlantic Village and Clarkes Village; to the best towns for finding a unique gift or local craft in a one-off boutique!  Starting at a credit-crunch-busting £36pp for a short break, you can save your pennies for your prezzies!

LANDING PAGE DEEPLINK: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/calendar/christmas-shopping-breaks-from-36pp.html

8. Candlelit Dartmouth breaks

Candlelit Dartmouth, in Devon. The popular Devon town of Dartmouth is having its very own festival of light.  Starting on 11th December,there will be a full programme of events across the weekend including markets, candlelit dinners, late night shopping, music and the main event – a parade of lanterns through the historic streets.  Book your break now to join in the fun of this winter festival.

LANDING PAGE DEEPLINK: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/blog/a-wick-ed-weekend-at-candlelit-dartmouth.html

9. Candlelit Dunster breaks

All aboard for Dunster By Candlelight, Somerset. Step back in time with a visit to the  Dunster by Candlelight festival on 4th and 5th December.  This annual event turns back time in this Medieval village; visitors can enjoy performances from street performers and musicians, and find pick up some Christmas presents from the market stalls and late-opening shops.  To add to the fun, you can reach Dunster via the West Somerset Steam Railway.  Blue Chip have two properties nearby available for the weekend – so you’ll need to be quick to get one!

LANDING PAGE DEEPLINK: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/blog/anthony-dodd/waxing-lyrical-about-candlelit-dunster.html

10. Winter Walkies in the South West

Winter walkies in the West Country with your four legged friend! A winter break is the perfect time to get away with your four legged friend.  A pet-friendly holiday with BLue Chip Vacations is fantastic at any time of year, but you can enjoy far greater freedom with your pampered pooch during the winter months.  Not only do you have access to the hundreds of miles of paths and walks that the area has to offer which are much quieter in the winter; but you also have a far greater access to the beautiful West Country beaches – many of which restrict access to dogs during the summer months.  Blue Chip have a huge choice of properties which allow pets, without making the human companions compromise on quality or style – find yours today!

LANDING PAGE DEEPLINK: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/dog-friendly-cottages.html

Christmas offers from Blue Chip Vacations

CUSTOMER OFFER: 10% off all Christmas and New Year holidays and short breaks with Blue Chip Vacations

Christmas breaks with Blue Chip Vacations

Its not too late to book a Christmas or New Year break in the Westcountry with Blue Chip Vacations – and now customers can save a very merry 10%!  Relax in style and watch the spectacular waves roll in from a luxury apartment with stunning sea views.   Or enjoy a traditional family Christmas in a cosy cottage with a roaring log fire.

To make a festive break extra special, Blue Chip have many properties decorated for Christmas and New Year and include Christmas gifts for guests such as Champagne, chocolates, hampers and more!  One Christmas booking will even receive £250 of Christmas presents in the Blue Chip Secret Santa competition!

To receive the 10% discount, the stay must be of 3 nights or more arriving between 19th December 2009 and 1st January 2010.  Customers must quote code “CNY10″ at booking to receive the discount and it cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount.

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VOUCHER CODE: CNY10

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OFFER LANDING PAGE DEEPLINK: http://www.bluechipvacations.com/calendar/save-10-on-all-christmas-and-new-year-breaks.html

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Terms & Conditions:10% discount is valid for any booking of 3 nights or more arriving between 19th December 2009 and 1st January 2010. Promotional code ‘CNY10′ must be used when booking either online or over the phone to claim the discount. Discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount.

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Beautiful Blue Chip boys and girls!

We had our company mug shots done yesterday – while stood on the rocks at Shoalstone in Brixham, where our head office is.  I thought you’d like to see all the boys and girls in our team – from property managers, bookings team and of course the outstanding marketing department.

In this case outstanding on a rock…