There is a type of redirect called a meta refresh redirect that I've seen on several hostel websites lately. There are a couple of reasons why I recommend not using this kind of redirect on your website.

This is the first part in a series on productivity software for hostels. Use these tools for creating marketing materials like flyers, posters and websites. Edit your hostel photos without having to buy expensive software like Adobe Photoshop ($699). All of the software on this page is free!

Many hostel websites are only created in one or two languages. A hostel is a business that caters to international guests that speak many different languages.

Many hostels are blogging and experimenting with Twitter. Twitter is a "micro-blogging" service that lets you post short updates to a group of followers.

Here are 10 tips for hostel websites:

Don't use HTML frames

HTML "frames" is an older technique that was often for building websites. Search engines don't like HTML frames. Google says:

There are many ways to analyze a competitor's website. Here are three simple and free methods for getting some interesting data on another website:

Search engines see websites much differently than humans. As mentioned in my free hostel marketing ebook earch engine crawlers can't effectively see Flash content, JavaScript, or text that is embedded within images.

Many people have heard of search engine optimization or "SEO". SEO is a set of techniques to increase traffic to a website through search engine referrals.

Skype is a free program that many travelers use to make free or cheap phone calls over the Internet. If you want backpackers to be able to call your front desk for free from Skype at Internet cafes, you can put a Skype button on your Web site.

This is the first post in what is going to be a blog about travel industry marketing. Even though most of the content will specifically be about hostels, the tips and techniques will be applicable to marketing hotels, tours, or any segment of the travel industry.