Content & Copyright

[linton]

I am creating my first site which is for renting out my holiday home and I want to add lots of content.
Can I just copy sections (or whole pages) of different websites or is this illegal?

[Elijah]

Can I just copy sections (or whole pages) of different websites or is this illegal?

Unless you have their permission it would be illegal. I would suggest that you take some time to write your own content.

[mack]

In general everything you see on a webpage is copyright property of the author. Simply using someone else's content would be in breach of copyright law.

Because it is your own property it would probably be best to create your own unique content.

If you do feel the need to use other people's content then at least contact them to request permission. You never know they may be willing to allow it, perhaps in exchange for a link to the page the content was taken from.

Using other sites content doesnt usualy work in your favour. The major SE's are getting pretty good at picking up on duplicate content.

Mack.

[molsmonster]

"site which is for renting out my holiday home and I want to add lots of content.
Can I just copy sections (or whole pages) of different websites or is this illegal?"

Hi Linton,

I undrestand your post to mean you are wanting area descriptions, amenities, what to dos etc. rather than a mere 200-500 word description of your holiday rental.

As mentioned it is a definite NO NO. Your copying will create duplication and could possibly infringe on the other sites. Although not the primary objective, one reason folks take the time and expel the energy to create good content is to entice other sites to link to it. If you do not have the time to write yourself, or the money to contract with a hospitality SEO copywriter, then ask to link to the copy. There is nothing wrong with linking one way, especially to an authoritative site.

As always this is just MHO

[linton]

Thanks Mack,
I will ask other sites if I can use their content but I find that lots of sites use the same (or very similar) content - maybe everybody has copied everybody else? I suppose there aren't many different words that you can use to describe the same town?

Thanks Molsmonster,
You are right about what I need the description for. I think it would take a great writer to write something unique for such descriptions and I was worried that even if I tried my own descriptions then it would be so similar to others that they might think that I just copied it and changed it a litle bit? I don't want to end up in jail now do I?

[molsmonster]

Hi Linton,

A few points:

There is nothing wrong with researching how others describe your resort and reworking the scripts with your own words. There will be some natural redunancy, but you will not be actually reduplicating. As an example: there are only so many ways to say "it is an island encompassing 45 square miles." Just use your own style and put it into your own words.

Visit sites of like resorts and investigate how they are worded. For instance, if you have a vacation rental in Whistler, BC then not only visit sites for Whistler, but also visit sites for Banff. Likewise if it were on Hilton Head you would also visit Amelia Island websites.

Link to informative sites like your town or county gov. site, Chamber of Commerce or any localized guide magazines. You also may want to review some realtors sites. Often times, behind the hype, you will find useful information, and they are always wanting a link. You may even get a link back, but treat it as a bonus. Link to any local arts centers or museums. I know you see where I am going here. There are all types of sites with great information. Become a hub of all the local info. If you link to a commercial site it is still best to let them know what you are doing as it is there bandwidth.

If you are fearful of loosing your site visitor to another site, you can always open the link in another window. However, keep in mind your visiting guest may very well know about your resort, and all they need to know are your property's details. You can have the greatest layout and the most complete info about your resort, but if you can not convert the visitor to a renter it is all for naught.

The above are my opinions and nothing more.

[txbakers]

I think you should write it like the old J Peterman catalogue.

[mack]

Writting about an area can be pretty interesting. I once wrote a few pages of content for a local community site. You where saying that a lot of sites appear to be using very similar content, I notice this a lot also. What I did was try to write it from my own experiences. If one site describes something, describe the same thing but in your own words. Try and write it as if you where describing it to someone.

Mack.

[linton]

molsmonster,
Great reply - thanks and welcome to Webmaster World (even though I am a newbie myself).
It makes me feel easier that I am not in breach of copyright as long as I reword/restyle it (although I still feel as though I am cheating).
I hear what you are saying re-turning the visit into a rental booking and ultimately that is what I am aiming for, but I want to build good content and links to the attractions so that surfers enjoy their visit to my website and hopefully will come back or will recommend it to their friends. It certainly takes a lot of time and I feel like I am neglecting my family to a certian extent. Ah well, this is the life of a property-owning webmaster (haha).

txbakers,
I think I need to research J Peterman's catalogue before I can get your drift. Maybe after the new year.

mack,
I wish I could write it from my own experience but unfortunately I have only visited the country once (and bought the property) and I was so busy looking at other properties that i didn't really get a feel for the other places/areas/attractions that I am now trying to write about. That is why I am having to write it based on others experiences/knowledge. But I agree that it would be best to write it as though i was talking to somebody else.

Paul