Features Of An Award-Winning Hotel Website
As a hotel owner, part of your marketing strategy should include a website to showcase all the amenities your hotel has to offer. Making the investment in a website can offer several advantages over simply marketing through third-party websites.
Online Booking
Many hotels use third-party websites for online bookings, but there are advantages to using both third-party sites and booking on your own website. Having online booking on your website can be more cost-effective since third parties likely take a percentage of the booking costs. If the fees are less when a guest books through your website, you should use this as an opportunity to offer a lower rate. Since hotel search platforms make recommendations based on price, your website might come up in search engine results before your listing on a third-party website. Online booking is straightforward for guests who find your hotel through a search engine or your business listing.
Visuals
You should make an investment in professional photography to acquire clear images from multiple vantage points. Each type of room you offer should be represented in these photos so guests have a good idea of what their room will look like. 3D images of the rooms are a way to enhance your visuals. This allows guests to feel like they're in the room before they arrive. An attractive-looking room might be the deciding factor for guests who are trying to choose between various hotels. Be sure to include photos that showcase any amenities, such as a pool, fitness center, business center, and dining area. Use a drone to capture aerial photographs. Not only do you want to include the building and any outdoor amenities, but it's also nice to include nearby attractions or the neighborhood.
Reviews
Reviews on your website can tip the odds in your favor that a particular guest will choose your hotel over another. When guests leave your hotel, encourage them to leave a review. Although it can be tempting to only include the best reviews, there is nothing wrong with including all reviews. Guests are savvy enough to realize a hotel with only perfect reviews is likely not representative of actual guests. Ideally, you will gather reviews from a range of guests to show how your hotel works for many situations. For example, guests with children or those on business trips are an excellent way of showing website visitors your hotel accommodates any need they might have.
Although only advertising your hotel on third-party websites is tempting, investing in your own website is worth the costs. A website that gives visitors an immersive experience of your hotel and makes it easy to book a room can make your hotel more appealing than your competitors.
For more info, contact a local tourism marketing agency.