Former Google engineers have launched a new search engine called Cuil.com ("cool").

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.

It can be helpful to take a look at your website through the eyes of a search engine to see if there are any issues that search engines might be encountering. There are several ways to get a "search engine view" of your site; the easiest way is with SEO-Browser.com. Here is a partial screenshot of the SEO-Browser.com homepage:

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.

There is also a set of techniques called social media optimization or "SMO", which involves driving traffic to a site through online viral marketing methods.

HostelManagement.com got a mention in Arthur Frommer's blog yesterday.

Arthur Frommer writes:

Here are 10 free places to list your hostel online and get additional exposure on the Web:

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.

For an idea of some of the topics that will be covered, I recommend downloading my free hostel marketing ebook.