We all understand how technology has advanced at an astonishing rate over the past decade, and a lot of the devices and systems we thought of as cutting edge ten years ago are already obsolete. A perfect illustration of that is the technologies and methods used for modern marketing online.
Just think of how rapidly we have become familiar with concepts like keywords and SEO to CPC and Facebook ads. There is a lot of buzz around the internet and its advances, and anyone involved in tourism or hospitality has to remain right at the cutting edge. Ignore it and run the risk of being obsolete.
Consumers, too, are far more aware of your online presence, and a 2019 report by Adobe Digital Insights showed that 61% of leisure arrangements are made online, emphasizing the need for digital marketing. Even more significant is the need to strengthen the local presence via local search, and Google is nurturing that with its enhancements to the Google My Business tools, allowing, as one report noted, “a great chance to outshine even the biggest hotel chains in your area.”
This is why even a cursory search online can supply the small to mid-sized hotel owner with a constant stream of hospitality marketing ideas to consider. Yet, no matter what angle you look at it, one of the most significant factors in modern marketing is establishing and increasing a company’s online presence. Hotels can make the most of this through:
Hotelogix You can adopt a smart cloud-based Hotel Property Management System that comes integrated with revenue management solutions. This will help you to set the right pricing for your rooms to get better yield.alert-info
Just think of how rapidly we have become familiar with concepts like keywords and SEO to CPC and Facebook ads. There is a lot of buzz around the internet and its advances, and anyone involved in tourism or hospitality has to remain right at the cutting edge. Ignore it and run the risk of being obsolete.
Consumers, too, are far more aware of your online presence, and a 2019 report by Adobe Digital Insights showed that 61% of leisure arrangements are made online, emphasizing the need for digital marketing. Even more significant is the need to strengthen the local presence via local search, and Google is nurturing that with its enhancements to the Google My Business tools, allowing, as one report noted, “a great chance to outshine even the biggest hotel chains in your area.”
This is why even a cursory search online can supply the small to mid-sized hotel owner with a constant stream of hospitality marketing ideas to consider. Yet, no matter what angle you look at it, one of the most significant factors in modern marketing is establishing and increasing a company’s online presence. Hotels can make the most of this through:
- Social Media: Don’t only maintain a dynamic and active social media presence but make it a functional one in which visitors can see photos, events, and even book via a WBE. With a 9% increase in social media use in the past year alone, it means almost half of the world’s population is your audience!
- OTAs and Channels: Although an industry report noted that 42% of travel bookings are made directly with the service provider, that leaves a large number still using the various Online Travel Agencies and channels. A channel manager streamlines your distribution and ensures you remain competitive and present online.
- A Dynamic Website: Last year, roughly 75% of all travellers began with a search engine. SEO in blogs and on-site pages help travellers find the site, but so too will integration with the WBE, channel manager, and your PMS.
- Property Management System or PMS: A PMS is a smart management system, but when online presence is concerned, it is essential. It helps with brand distribution and recognition. It enables owners to track guest preferences and to offer them customized services, greatly increasing positive comments and feedback. When cloud-based and integrated, it does so in real-time, eliminating overbooking and any negative guest experiences.
- Apps: Whether in use by guests or management, they ensure that your hotel is part of the mobile-focused generation. However, a PMS that can be run from anywhere, including an app, ensures the most competitive edge. Feeding real-time data to decision-makers, it will enable dynamic pricing, competitiveness, and support optimal bookings.
- Improve Online Reputation: A report suggests that guests read from six to 12 reviews before booking. Ensuring top of the line guest experiences is the number one method for receiving the reviews needed to enhance the online reputation.
- Clear Communication: We all know that content is king but is your content saying what it should? A recent report from the ABTA noted that 16% of travellers wanted expert advice before booking. They obtained it through social media channels, live chats, and websites. Offering relevant content and imagery and backing it up with flawless support will really deliver.
- A Hotel CRM Tool: Late in 2019, a report indicated that CRM is one of the strongest allies for hotels. If it is easy to integrate across channels, features automation and real-time updates, and is mobile, it will be a strong tool towards positive customer reviews, social media follows, repeat business and improved presence.
- Revenue Management: You have a revenue management strategy, and it addresses the typically cyclical nature of the hospitality industry. However, the right RM tool may be able to help you monetize the off-season and shoulder seasons optimally, as well as making the most of peak seasons. Through integration, it can help to highlight incredible deals and market them through social media. It will ensure you get the most dynamic pricing through real-time data about prices on all of your channels. If you want to win over the audience, RM software provides the insight to do so.