Online Marketing Tips For The Hotel Industry

Do you manage a hotel or resort? Do you like to attract more guests and keep them coming back to your place? Do you want your place to be visible, accessible, likeable and irresistible online and off?

Travelers are thinking, researching and booking differently. They expect a different type of experience with more personalization and customization. Hotels are battling to figure out the best strategies to win customers over. It is a market ripe for the taking…if you get your digital marketing just right.

So how can you cut through the internet noise?
Below, I’ll lay out the some ways your independent hotel can better use common tools to increase your online presence and stand out from your competitors.

Tips for successful Online marketing

Mobile Friendly Website:

If your hotel or resort doesn’t have an official website yet, it would be difficult for your potential guests to find your place, make inquiries, and do online transactions.

Most customers look for a website to connect with the hotel’s or resort’s management. Hence, if you don’t have a website yet, your prospective guests might instead go to your competitors who already have a website.

Create Social Media Pages
Social media is booming and an increasing number of hotels are taking part. The latest Google algorithm rewards social interaction and reviews, so use them to boost your SEO. Other than climbing Google rankings, by joining Instagram, facebook or one of the other social media platforms, you also gain access to new demographics as well as a chance to cement your brand, establish authenticity and build guest relationships.Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest and other social media platforms offer free pages or channels for business.There has never been a better time to engage.


Use Professional Videography
People, nowadays, are too busy to read long articles or stories on the Internet. This is why images are one of the most important elements used by marketers to optimize their blog posts and social media posts.
Guests want to see exactly what they are getting when they book a room online. Highlight the hotel’s exterior, public spaces, dining facilities, meeting rooms, guestrooms and bathrooms when shooting videos and developing virtual tours.

Be Different
Each hotel has unique features that set it apart from all the rest. Is it your exceptional customer service and freshly baked cookies? Your outstanding location? Your free shuttle service?
Your world-class restaurants? Help your guests discover what makes your hotel special.

Develop Appealing Special Offers And Update Them Regularly
Draw in guests by putting special offer packages together that encourage them to book. For example, a Romance Package around Valentine’s Day can include room night, breakfast and carriage tour. Update seasonally.
Distribute those messages across the right channels—website, facebook, twitter, youtube, google+, instagram, pinterest, e-mail, etc.

Traditional Interaction
While technology is great, don't underestimate the power of physical interaction. OTAs are introducing measures to keep guest data for themselves, but hotels still have an edge — physical interactions are theirs to exploit. To take advantage, train your team to gather guest information at check-in, then follow up with pertinent, relevant and personalized promotions, offers and rewards to build a relationship and encourage loyalty. Don't forget phone bookings which, according to HospitalityNet, bring in 38% more revenue than OTAs.