Case Study: Washington House boosts bookings and revenue with Mailchimp

How an Innkeeper Got Back to What She Loves Welcoming Guests, Not Marketing to Them

Washington House Inn, a historic inn in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, wanted to modernize its marketing while letting Innkeeper Wendy Porterfield focus on hospitality instead of promotion. With help from Mailchimp partner White Stone Marketing, the team needed a better website, stronger SEO, and a more effective way to stay connected with guests and regulars using Mailchimp email marketing.

Mailchimp helped Washington House Inn build an email program that complemented a redesigned website and paid/organic search efforts. Since being set up with Mailchimp, the inn’s list has grown to 18,000 contacts, email has generated $36,000 in direct revenue in the past year, and campaigns have achieved strong average open and click-through rates of 22.3% and 4.8%. Mailchimp is now the property’s fourth-largest traffic and revenue driver, helping sustain consistent branding and repeat business.

Washington House

Jim Pape

Owner