You don't need a web site to rent your vacation house.  However, the Web presents more options for the owner and more service for your guests.  But, you know that already.

You may some doubts about this web stuff; so let's get through them:

• It costs too much money.

Well, it's not free but one extra rental will pay for your own website, really.

• My rental agency / property manager already has a web site for my house.

That's a great start, your agency may provide a web site  at no extra charge.  Even better, folks may be able to find your site in Web searches such a Google.com.  Keep doing that.  Compare your site to your agent's other listings.  What if your agency site said, "Go to myhouse.com to get more information."  I think that gives you an edge.

• I already list my rental on several rental listing sites.

Keep doing that too.  These services aren't free but search engines can find them.  Make sure your listing says, "Go to myhouse.com to get more information."

• I already have one.

That's my favorite kind.  Please send me your URL and I'll link to it.  I'll probably learn something from your site.  I hope my suggestions about making your site unique and better pictures help you improve it.  Or, even better for me, hire me to improve and maintain it for you.  (I'm in business after all.)

• I don't want to rent my house over the web.

You don't have to. You'll have an online brochure for your place with a line that says, "For more information just call the Sandy Breath Real Estate Company at 222-222-2222 and ask for Sandy."

• My rental agency doesn't think I need my own site.

I've already said that you don't really need a site.   But let's talk about your rental agent's objection:  He may fear that you won't need a rental agent any more.  You may decide to manage the whole process yourself over the web without paying any commissions. Many property owner do just that.

But your agent should actually welcome your site.  It will help market your site and help them earn more commissions.  If your agent provides a site for you, it's probably in a canned, inflexible system that intimidates his staff.  She should be happy about your site.

• I don't know anything about the Web or about building web sites.

I'm in the business of doing it for you.  My business model is for you to do what you can and I'll do the rest.  What I can't do is provide your personal insights about your property and the area.

• I have more web knowledge in my little finger than TK has in his whole body.

You are probably right but as Dirty Harry said, "A man's got to know his limitations."  If you bill your time at $300 an hour doing database backed web applications, you'll actually save money by hiring me to do your site.

• My last web person left my high and dry.

What happens when you web guy let's you down. It happens: Your web designer get's a URL for you, gets you a hosting service, builds your site, and disappears.  You are stuck. Wait, TK can disappear too but I won't leave you high and dry. I'll make it easier for your new, more reliable, web person to pick up where I left off.

• You will own your own domain. You'll have the ID and password to manage your own domain or to pass along to the next web person.
• You will own your own web hosting service. You'll have the ID and password to manage your own hosting service or to pass along to the next web person.
• I will send you a copy of your website that you can pass along to the next web designer.
• You don't pay me until you are satisfied.