Hi There! Well, summer is in full swing here in New York and I like many other solopreneurs I’m trying my best not to pine for the beautiful weather outside and stay focused on my work inside, but I have have something to look forward to.

I’m almost finished planning the final details of a much-needed vacation, with my husband, in London at the end of the summer. I’ve spent my fair share of time on travel sites, hotels sites and travel blogs, these past few months and I have to admit (travel is sexy on the web).

Travel sites are a testament to the power of photography and few well chosen words. In fact, I’ve had so much fun looking at all of these sites, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to feature Fathom’s post on the 24 Best Travel Blogs and Websites on the web for 2014.

You’re are probably wondering, so what does this have to do with me? Well, I know this may be a stretch for some of you, but take a few moments to look at some of these sites. Look at them not as just a visitor but for how they are being used to market these businesses.

One of the first things I ask my new clients when I start to work with them is to give me the links to three sites that they like (even if they are not related to their industry).

I ask them to think about what is keeping them there. What’s keeping them engaged? Is it the color? The functionality? Do they like the photography or the language in the copy used there.

This little exercise is a great way for me to get a clearer picture of what my clients are looking for AND it’s a great way for you as a small business owner to see what else is out there and to communicate to professional designers and marketing strategists, what you’re trying to achieve.

Remember, a picture’s worth a thousand words. Try stepping out of your comfort zone, when you’re looking for some new and different ideas to try out in your business.

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel – just take a gander at what other people are doing in fields that you find engaging and inspirational.

Question: What industries or websites do you find yourself gravitating to over and over again, because you simply can’t get enough of them?

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This post was updated on July 2, 2020.