Today, when our world is becoming more and more digitized, you NEED a digital presence for your hotel. It can help your reputation, and brand recognition, and help you attract new guests for the Hotel Business.
Your online presence is the gateway for global travelers to find, fall in love with, and ultimately book a stay at your hotel. But with so many paths to take in the digital marketing landscape, which are the golden ones?
In this post, we’ll explain why you need to promote your hotel online and give you 10 proven strategies you can use to promote your hotel business.
Why Do You Need To Promote Your Hotel Online?
Simply put, with a combination of various online activities, you can reach more people. In the 21st century, we are all constantly online.
Online bookings make up to 60% of all hotel bookings.
Websites with attractive videos are fifty-three times more likely to show up on the initial page of Google search results than the ones that do not possess videos.
Hotels with a single photograph or more experience a 138% increase in engagement and are 225% more likely to receive a booking.
Do you see the value of marketing in this industry?
Plus, with digital marketing, you are more likely to reach your target audience. Examine and research them, and get into their heads.
What are their interests? Where are they located? Think about how to reach them. What social media do they use? What type of keywords?
Tools like Google Analytics help you measure your progress. You can track the number of visitors on your site, engagement, and conversion rate. The conversion rate is the relation between the number of people who come to your site and the number of people who end up making a purchase.
Then, adjust your strategy based on the results you get. This can be really helpful and insightful and can truly help you grow your business if used in the right way.
And the truth is that in business, impressions matter. A well-designed site and social media platforms that show your hotel in its best light will make a good impression. And that will boost your engagement, revenue, and brand image.
How To Promote Your Business Online: 4 Key Points
Other than having a functional, user-friendly, and well-designed site, you need to use other digital marketing tactics to reel people in. Here are a few tactics we suggest you try out:
1. Implement SEO
Boosting your hotel’s visibility on Google begins with implementing SEO on your site. Begin by conducting thorough keyword research to identify important and relevant search terms that align with your business.
Next, focus on optimizing your website’s headings, meta tags, and content. Remember, regularly updating your site with fresh, high-quality content not only engages new users but is also a cornerstone of effective SEO.
Make sure you also use Google My Business as finding a hotel through Google Search is equally as important as having a website.
2. Social Media Channels
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest shouldn’t be overlooked. Businesses leveraging social media have persuaded more than 50% of consumers to make real-life purchases through their marketing strategies.
Given the strong visual component of hotel promotion, harnessing the power of visually rich platforms like Pinterest and Instagram is crucial.
Here, potential guests can truly visualize what your hotel offers. Consider your target audience’s preferences – do they frequent Facebook, or are they more inclined to scroll through Instagram? Your strategy should align with their habits.
3. Promotions
Promotions are a GREAT idea for your hotel business. Something in our brain makes us feel like we are saving money when we buy items at a discount.
Create different deals and packages for families, couples, and business travelers.
Promotions not only bolster your business during off-peak seasons but also maintain momentum during peak times. It’s an approach where everyone benefits.
4. Advertising
Utilize advertising to your advantage. Platforms like Google Hotel Ads and Facebook Ads can significantly enhance your marketing strategy, drawing in new customers.
Craft your ads using specific keywords, demographics, interests, and behaviors to effectively target customers who are actively seeking services like yours.
Regularly monitor and adjust your campaigns, targeting, and messaging to optimize the effectiveness of your advertising efforts and achieve the best possible results.
10 Strategies That Will Boost Your Hotel Business Success
The competitive landscape of the hotel industry requires more than just exceptional service and amenities, it calls for smart, effective strategies that resonate in today’s digital world.
The top ten strategies that will ensure your hotel business success are:
1. Optimize Your Website
Your website is a representation of your brand. It should reflect your values and display beautiful and captivating images.
Your site needs to be user-friendly. We are all constantly on our phones, and if your site looks different on a phone screen, users will be reluctant to engage with you.
So, show your business in the best light, update your content regularly, and try to get viewers’ attention with some quality images of your hotel.
Also, prioritize page speed. A slow website leaves a bad impression and leaves your viewer feeling frustrated. Put the time and effort into your site to make sure your customers have a good experience.
2. Invest In Quality Images And Visuals
When you take good quality photos of your hotel, you’re likely to increase reservations by 15%.
Think about hiring a professional photographer to take pictures of your hotel. It is an investment, but it will surely pay off.
You can even make videos to stand out more and make the customers’ experience more intriguing. High-quality visuals capture attention and instill trust and confidence in your business.
3. Try Content Marketing
Content marketing can bring your brand closer to your target audience. Create good and quality content that search engines will pick up on and your audience will enjoy. Show your passion for your work through words and images, and watch how it resonates with people.
Starting a blog on your site is a great marketing tactic for hotels. Give your guests a feel of the location and recommend places they should visit. You always sell on emotion, so try to keep that in mind.
Write some quality, informative pieces, that will help your guests have an amazing stay they will want to remember and share with their friends.
4. Offer Online Booking
A staggering number of travelers prefer to book their accommodations online, valuing the ease and speed it offers. By integrating an online booking system into your hotel’s website, you not only cater to this preference but also streamline the reservation process.
For instance, consider a family planning their vacation. They’re looking for a hotel that fits their needs – perhaps one with family-friendly amenities and rooms which they can all get using online booking.
5. Ask Your Guests To Leave A Review
Before booking a room in your hotel, most guests will check the reviews. Good reviews will help attract customers like crazy. That’s why asking them to leave a review can help your business.
You can send a follow-up email or hand them a flier at the end of their stay. Even offer a small discount to guests who are willing to share their experience. Just be sure to not be too pushy and make them feel like they can leave a review if they enjoyed their stay.
Also, show positive reviews on your site. That way, people will know what to expect and trust your business.
6. Host Events
Nothing attracts visitors to a hotel like events. Good and fun events will increase your number of guests for the season and are a great opportunity to take some good photos.
Announce the events on all your social media channels, write about them on your blog, and post tributes to remind everyone what a great time they had.
7. Partner With Travel Agencies
Online travel agencies have large audiences. Partnering with them and promoting your business on their platforms can attract a lot of new customers.
Offering exclusive discounts to customers who book through these agencies can be a win-win. It incentivizes bookings, enhancing the perceived value of staying at your hotel, and can lead to increased occupancy rates.
8. Invite Travel Writers And Bloggers
Collaborate with influencers and travel bloggers with influence within your target market. Invite them to experience a complimentary stay at your hotel.
In exchange, they can share their honest feedback with their audience.
Influencer partnerships can help expand your reach, build credibility, and generate buzz around your hotel.
9. Focus On Engagement
Choose a distinctive brand voice and stick to it. Focusing on building relationships and treating everyone with respect will help you grow your business.
Encourage guests to share their experiences on social media by creating hashtags and hosting photo contests. User-generated content works as testimonials and extends your hotel’s reach to a wider audience.
Make engaging with your visitors a fun experience on both ends. It will make them want to come back to your hotel and recommend it.
10. Learn Email Marketing
Build and prepare rapport with past guests with the assistance of email marketing campaigns. Segregate the list of your email based on demographics, preferences, and booking history, and send personalized content and promotions to each segment.
You can start a monthly newsletter, send exclusive offers, or send event invitations. Email marketing helps you stay in touch with your customers and inform them of anything new and exciting that’s going on in your business.
It is also important that you track your progress and adjust your strategy. Track your key metrics (website, traffic, conversion rate, social media engagement, booking trends,etc.) to see how well your marketing strategy is doing.
Use Google Analytics and social media insights to gain insights into what your guests like. That way, you can always know what to improve on.
Make sure you always treat your customers with care and find the right staff. Your waiters, hotel receptionists, and employees represent your company. Give it your best to find the right ones.
Charting Your Path To Digital Excellence In Hotel Marketing
Navigating the digital landscape can seem like a journey through uncharted waters, but armed with these 10 proven strategies, you’re now equipped to steer your hotel business towards greater success and visibility.
From optimizing your website to embracing the power of social media, each step you take is a leap towards connecting with more guests and building a more robust online presence.
Remember, the essence of your digital strategy should revolve around engagement, respect, and quality relationships. Your guests aren’t just booking a room; they’re investing in an experience. By focusing on delivering value and building trust, you create a brand that’s not just seen but remembered and recommended.
So, take a moment to reflect on the strategies that resonate most with you. Implement them with passion, track your progress, and be ready to adapt and evolve.
Good luck!
