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There are different types of websites. They differ primarily on the purposes they fulfill. There are those that are intended for selling, others to inform, while others simply to call the attention of users. For hotels, however, there are several purposes for the site to add more sales, increase trust from customers, and to seal off their loyalty to the hotel brand. The following are the key purposes of a hotel website as part of hospitality digital marketing:
Hotel Trademark through Logo, Design, Etc.
It is crucial for the site to use graphics, text layers, and colors that reflect the character, vision, and identity of the hotel. A hotel website must be able to let a hotel guest sense the hotel’s character and sense its unique atmosphere. That’s why it requires one of a kind images and content that will enable the site to reflect the values and character of the hotel. Apart from the aesthetic side, it must also be considered who the target audience is and what technologies can be used for the site creation.
A Great Source of Information Aboutabout the Hotel
The website must be a reliable and valuable source of information for the hotel management and customers. Customers will be able to glean information regarding the history, the rates, attractions, event organization capabilities, and other services offered by the hotel. High-quality content must also be ensured to rank high on Google.
A hotel website must also inform the hotel management about their customers’ online activities, their preferences, frequency of site visits, online behaviors, conversion rates, among others. This information is valuable in optimizing the marketing initiatives to ensure that is laser targeting the right customers.
A Primary Means of Hotel Communication
A hotel must be able to provide forms of communication with customers which preferably they can access through their mobile phones. Such forms of communication must be intuitive such as email, live chat, phone, etc. This also means that that site must be easy to navigate and has to be transparent. The site must be designed to enable the user to accomplish the action that the hotel intends him to do.
Increasing the Hotel’s Direct Sales
One of the reasons for a hotel to put up a site is to increase its bookings which can be made possible with the implementation of an efficient booking system. Users must be able to check room availability and rates and be able to book on any pages of the site. Through knowledge of the users’ behaviors, preferences, and expectations, the hotel can produce the right packages, discount packages, and even upselling features which will consequently increase its number of bookings and sales.
Creating the Hotel Brand
The hotel’s site is the best channel to create its brand identity. This can be made possible through the presentation of certain elements on the site such as special offers, attractions, special events, the unique amenities of the hotel, etc. This will collectively provide the hotel’s identity to its users. Testimonials are also a significant element of hotel websites for branding does not only entail the physical impact of the hotel. It also includes the quality of hotel service and the manner in which it fosters and nourishes its relationships with its customers.
Given such purposes, there are several features that must be found in the hotel site:
Search Engine Optimization
It is highly important for the hotel site to be optimized with the right keywords for the major search engines. The hotel site must include SEO options that optimize both the content and images of the site.
Content Management System
Having an integrated CMS on your site will enable you to make changes on your own instead of being dependent on the site developer.
Responsive Design
The hotel site design must be compatible with any type of device to ensure maximum reach.
Hotel Description
The primary means to attract customers is to provide information about the hotel, its type, history, the amenities offered, its location, and the hotel’s targeted customers. Make sure that the hotel’s site has an optimized description page.
Picture Gallery and a Virtual Tour of the Hotel
Images of the hotel from different angles will help customers visualize how it is to stay in the hotel. Such images must be of high resolution. Another feature is the virtual tour which offers the customers the sensation of being physically present in the hotel when accessing online.
Online Booking Option
It is necessary to enable customers to book anywhere they may find themselves in the site. This can be done by adding the Book Now button in all its inner pages.
Price List
The hotel site must include a list of prices per room type. It may be necessary to come up with a separate page for all the prices.
As a hotel owner, there might be more concerns about putting up a hotel site that will stand out from the rest due to the tight competition today. You can find the best solution with the help of hospitality digital marketing experts. For more information, contact Dreamond.
