Making your hotel website work for you!
18th May 2022
Table of contents
Introduction
Website design has had a bad reputation, but designing your own hotel website doesn't have to be difficult. In some cases it may be time consuming or expensive, yet possessing a site is critical for any hotel.
Here, we'll give you some tips that will help you better comprehend the whole process, as well as help you build your website and expand your business.
Content is king!
Content is king, especially with social media. As more and more people turn to social media to connect with friends, family, and others, businesses need to think about what content they are creating and how it can be used to draw in customers. There are many ways to create content that can be used to attract customers, such as creating blogs or vlogs, posting photos of your products or services, and creating videos about your company or products.
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO for short) is the way that websites optimise their content to enable search engines to find them amongst all the many thousands of other websites competing with you. The old days of stuffing as many keyword phrases into your pages is long gone - it's all now about relevant, quality content.
Google is particularly good at reading your website like a human would - it will pick out any dodgy grammar or attempts to manipulate the results and can (and does) quickly penalise you as a result.
When creating your content for your Hotel Website with the aim to bring guests through your doors, follow these basic principles:
- Advertise your facilities and amenities i.e. if you offer free wifi, and tea & coffee in the rooms, make sure the guests know about it!
- Include testimonials and guest reviews. Using third party sites like Feefoo or Trustpilot make this easy and foolproof nowadays.
- Link your website to your all social media profiles and most importantly, keep those profiles up to date with relevant content, regularly!
- Consider producting downloadable guide books, branded under your hotel's brand that takes visitors through local attractions, places to go etc. You can even go as far as requesting users to register to receive this information and sign up to your regular newsletter. This will improve both the functionality of your site and the user experience.
- Ensure you update your website with new content (blogs, guides etc).
- An interactive map will pay dividendsas well as information about the local area, so your website is a useful local resource for travellers to refer to - see what one of our clients did on their own website Hendre Rhys Gethin This uses Google Maps to display all the local points of interest.
Maintaining brand identity is crucial for business success
Brand identity is the set of symbols, values and images that identify a company or product. It is a critical part of any business, as it helps consumers identify and remember a product or company. Brand identity can be created through the use of logos, colors, slogans and other marketing materials.
Maintaining brand identity is important for preserving customer loyalty and market share. Companies that invest in their branding strategy are more likely to succeed than those who do not.
Branding is one of the most important facets of business. Without a strong brand identity, a company may find it difficult to attract customers and generate profits. Maintaining a consistent brand identity is crucial for success.
Use effective images and videos
Images and videos are important part of any marketing strategy. They can help make your message clear, capture attention, and build trust. When creating images or videos, make sure to consider the following tips:
- Choose a clear and concise message. Make sure your images and videos are easy to understand.
- Keep your images and videos simple. Don't use too many effects or decorations.
- Make sure your images and videos are properly captioned.
Performance - faster is better!
How many times have you visited a website only for you to abandon it because it's taking too long to load (sometimes 5 seconds or more)?
A website's performance determines how quickly users can access the information they need. Smooth scrolling and lightning-fast loading times are essential for keeping people on your site. But optimizing your website for speed isn't easy. There are a lot of different factors to consider, from server hardware to programming techniques.
To get the best possible performance out of your website, you need to understand the fundamentals of website design, web hosting and web server technology.
There is certainly an issue we have faced with lots of website design companies when hosting their websites on congested and slow servers. Paying only £20/30 for one year of web hosting, it is puzzling why a website will be hosted on such a server - you ought to already know about this by now!
You essentially have a few seconds for a visitor to choose to wait for your page to download instead of go to another site. Slow websites are the bane of web surfers' lives, and that's why search engines like Google rank websites on the basis of page loading speed.- One of the qualities of a slow website is that its ranking on search engines is decreased.
What does this mean to you? Well if you have two hotel websites offering similar services in a similar location and one loads in less than 2 seconds whilst the other (possibly yours) loads in 5 seconds or more, the quicker site will show much earlier in the Google search results and it's more likely to be hit by your guest who then goes onto book - you have now lost out but you had no idea what just happened!
A few things to help your quest for optimum website speed:
- Make sure the developer designs with speed from the outset.
- Ensure your images are no larger than they need to be - often we see full sized desktop images being forced into a mobile phone screen - this will have a major effect upon your page loading speed.
- Pay for good quality hosting - this really cannot be understated. You really do get what you pay for, however you have to balance this out over the cost benefits to your business. There is no point going for your own dedicated server (potentially costing hundreds per month) for your B&B website, however larger hotels may well be able to justify the additional cost by running other services from it.
- Use some of the free online resources such as Googles Page Speed Insights - warning though, unless you are a developer, it's unlikely you will be able to decipher and implement the recommendations, however it will give you a red, orange, green score so you see where any issues you can investigate further.
Your site needs to be quick and meaningful to the visitor, if it takes more than two / three seconds to load, odds are you are going to lose business.
Is your website mobile friendly?
The number of mobile phone users has exploded in recent years, and as a business owner, you can't afford to ignore this growing trend. If your website isn't mobile friendly, you're losing out on potential customers.
According to Google (source thinkwithgoogle.com) more than 50% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. These include the mobile phone but also tablets and other portable devices.
How does your website look on a mobile phone? Have you tried it recently, did you have to pinch and zoom in to read content?
A mobile friendly website is one that is designed to be viewed on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. It's important to make sure your website is optimized for these devices, because if it's not, you'll likely lose traffic and sales.
In order to make your website more mobile friendly, you need to consider the size of the screen and how people are using their devices. Many people are using their phones or tablets to browse the web while they're on the go, so it's important to make your website easy to navigate and use.
How online tools can help you better target guests
Segment your audience: Know your demographics
To create an effective website, it is important to understand your audience. Segmenting your audience into different demographics will help you tailor your site to their needs. Knowing your audience's age, gender, income level, and other interests will help you better serve them with relevant content and products.
There are a number of different ways to gather information about your audience's demographics. One way is to look at your website's traffic data. This can give you a general idea of who is visiting your site. You can also use Google Analytics to get more specific information about your visitors' age, gender, and interests.
Another way to gather information about your audience is by conducting surveys or focus groups. This can give you a more in-depth understanding of who your target audience is and what their needs are.
Use social media: It's a great way to connect with potential guests
If you're looking for ways to connect with potential guests, social media is a great way to do it. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram offer opportunities to share your website and upcoming events with a wider audience. You can also use social media to build relationships with potential guests and answer any questions they may have. This can help increase the likelihood of booking a reservation.
Create a strong online presence: Make sure your website and social media pages are up to date
Creating a strong online presence is important for any business. Having a strong online presence will help you reach more customers and grow your business.
It’s no secret that having a strong online presence is important for businesses of all sizes. But with so many different platforms and channels to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are a few tips to help you create a strong online presence for your business:
1. Make sure your website is up-to-date and looks professional. The first thing potential customers will see is your website, so make sure it looks good and is easy to navigate.
2. Make sure your social media pages are also up-to-date. Use them to share updates about your business, promote special offers, and connect with potential customers.
3. Optimize your website for search engines (SEO). This will help ensure that your website appears higher in search engine results pages, which can help attract more visitors.
Use search engine optimization: Help guests find you online
People are using the internet to find what they need. As a business, you need to be where your customers are looking. That's why search engine optimization (SEO) is important for your website.
SEO is the process of optimizing your website so that it appears higher in search engine results pages. When people search for things related to your business, you want your website to be one of the first results they see.
There are many factors that go into SEO, and it can be a complex process. But there are some basic things you can do to improve your ranking. First, make sure your website is properly coded and optimized for search engines. Use keywords in your titles and descriptions, and make sure they are included in the text of your pages as well.
In order to rank high in search engine results pages (SERPs), it's important to include keywords and optimize your website accordingly. However, another important part of SEO is link building.
By having links to your site from other high-quality websites, you'll not only improve your site's visibility but also its authority. This, in turn, will help you rank higher in SERPs for the keywords you're targeting, resulting in more traffic and conversions.
Utilize email marketing: Keep guests updated on your latest news and offers
Email marketing is a great way to keep guests updated on your latest news and offers. You can build a mailing list of guests who are interested in what you have to offer, and then send them periodic updates about your business. This can help you stay in touch with guests who may not be able to visit your business often, and it can also help you promote special offers and new products or services.
There are a number of different ways to use email marketing to reach out to guests. You can create an email newsletter that includes summaries of your latest blog posts, or you can send out special offers that are only available to people on your mailing list. You can also use email marketing as a way to collect feedback from guests, or as a way to remind them about upcoming events.
Email marketing can be a great way to keep guests updated on your latest news and offers. It's also a great way to stay in touch with past guests and keep them coming back. When sending out emails, make sure you include clear and concise calls to action, so guests know what you want them to do. You can also use email marketing to build your mailing list, which can be a valuable asset for your business.
How to Transform Your Website into a Local Resource
When it comes to tourism, most people think of far-off places with exotic customs and a different language. However, your own town or city can offer just as much – if not more – variety and excitement than a place on the other side of the globe. All you need to do is tap into your local resources!
One great way to do this is by creating a website that showcases everything your town or city has to offer tourists. This can include information on local attractions, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses. You can also highlight special events and festivals that are taking place in your area.
Creating a website like this is a great way to help promote your town or city as a tourist destination. It can also help boost local businesses by drawing in new customers. So why not give it a try? Transform your website into a local resource today!
How to use your website to become a local resource
If you're looking to increase traffic to your website, consider turning it into a local resource. There are a number of ways to make your website more useful for locals, from adding maps and directions to including a list of nearby places to visit. You can also use social media to promote your website as a local resource. By making your website more relevant to locals, you'll attract more visitors and potential customers.
Section 1: Creating a Localized Homepage
Creating a localized homepage can help your business connect with new customers in your area. By featuring local resources and places to visit, you can make it easy for potential customers to find what they need right in their backyard. Additionally, a localized homepage can help you build trust and credibility with local customers.
There are many benefits to creating a localized homepage. A localized homepage allows you to connect with your local community and promote local resources, businesses, and places to visit. It also helps you build a sense of community among your customers and followers.
When creating a localized homepage, it’s important to consider the needs of your audience. Make sure to include information about local events, attractions, and businesses. You can also highlight local bloggers and social media personalities who are popular in your area.
In addition to promoting local resources, a localized homepage can also be used to sell local products and services. You can highlight special offers from local businesses or promote exclusive deals for followers of your website.
A localized homepage is a great way to connect with your local community and promote all the amazing things that your area has to offer.
Section 2: Adding Local Pages
One way to help improve your local SEO is by adding local pages to your website. These pages should include specific information about your business and its location, such as hours of operation, directions, and a list of services offered.
Including this information on your website will help Google and other search engines better understand what your business is all about and rank you higher for relevant searches. It can also help potential customers learn more about what you have to offer and make it easier for them to find you.
Section 3: Integrating Maps and Directions
Incorporating maps and directions into your website can help local customers find your business and improve your site’s usability. Local content is becoming increasingly important for search engine optimization, and including mapping tools allows you to take advantage of this trend. Maps also make it easy for customers to get directions to your location.
There are a number of different mapping services available, such as Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps, and MapQuest. Most of these services offer developers access to their mapping tools so you can easily add maps to your website. You can also create custom maps using these services.
Adding maps and directions to your website can be a great way to improve usability and help local customers find your business.
Section 4: Promoting Your business locally
There are many ways to promote your business locally.
Affiliate Marketing:
One way is to join an affiliate marketing program for your area. This way, you can work with other businesses in your area to promote each other. You can also create a list of local businesses that you recommend to your customers. Promote your business on social media, and make sure that your website is optimized for local search results. Make sure that you are listed in online directories, and participate in local events and networking groups.
Affiliate marketing can help promote your business locally and increase traffic to your website. There are a number of ways you can participate in affiliate marketing, including developing partnerships with other businesses, participating in online directories and search engines, and advertising with local media outlets.
Additionally, you can create a website specifically for your local customers that highlights the products and services you offer in your area. Promoting your business locally can help you connect with new customers and build relationships with existing customers.
Influencers:
Another option is to identify key influencers in your community and work with them to promote your business. Identify local media outlets and reach out to them to see if they would be interested in doing a story on your business. You can also hold events or workshops to promote your business. M
ake sure you have a strong social media presence and use local hashtags to reach people in your community. You can also partner with other businesses in your area to cross-promote each other.
Instant online booking is growing in popularity- are you ready?
Instant online booking is growing in popularity, and with good reason. Gone are the days when you had to call a hotel or wait on hold for a reservation. Today, you can reserve a room, car rental, or any other type of accommodation with just a few clicks of your mouse. But are you ready for this change? Instant online booking has some major benefits that could help your business grow.
Hotel clients are much more likely to make positive reservations immediately after your website offers quick and simple booking features. By permitting your customers to plan their reservations instantly, you will avert excessive early abandonment rates and increase overall satisfaction.
Drive More Traffic With These Killer Landing Page Tips
Creating a landing page for your website is a great way to optimise your site and increase conversions. By using creative calls-to-action, you can encourage visitors to take the desired action, whether it's signing up for your mailing list, downloading a white paper or purchasing a product.
When creating your landing page, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- Your headline should be catchy and relevant to the offer on the page.
- The body of the page should be concise and easy to read. Make sure all of your text is aligned correctly and looks professional.
- The call-to-action should be clear and easy to find. Place it in a prominent position on the page so that it's impossible to miss.
- Use eye-catching graphics and catchy copy to capture users' attention and keep them on your website.
- Offer valuable content and incentives for users who sign up for your email list or make a purchase.
If you're looking for inspiration, take a look at some of the best landing pages out there.
We would be glad to help you get the most out of your website, please fill in the form below and we shall be in touch to discuss your requirements.