of revenues (Jung and Butler, 2000). The development of such a Web presence requires knowledge of the characteristics of Web sites for small hotels that translate into accessibility, ease of use, effectiveness, and productivity. This problem was addressed in this study through the investigation of the following research question:
Which characteristics of the Web sites of small hotels located in Paris are associated with hotels that generate higher proportions of their bookings through the functioning of their Web sites?
The purpose of this study was to develop information related to Web sites for small hotels that will be useful to the managers of such enterprises in the development of Web sites that contribute to the development of viable market positions for the hotels. The focus of this study on small hotels that are located in Paris should not detract from the usefulness of the information developed to the managers of small hotels in other locations.
This study addresses issues of strategy, technology, marketing, and Internet-based commerce. The scope of the study does not extend to exhaustive explorations of these topics. Rather, the scope of this study is limited to the consideration of these topics to the extent that they are applicable to operation of small hotels.
The first term that requires definition in relation to its use in this study is "small hotel". As the term is used in this study, "small hotel" refers to a lodging establishment that has 50 or fewer guest rooms. The second term that requires definition in relation to its use in this study is "small hotel Web site". As the term is used in this study, "small hotel Web site" refers to a Web page that is (a) maintained by a small hotel or for a small hotel by a an Internet host, that (b) can be accessed directly by an Internet user without a requirement to enter through an Internet portal, and which (c) is devoted exclusively to the small hotel.
Ov...