Is it enough for my hotel or property to be on Booking.com, Expedia or Airbnb? Is it worth having a website for my property when I cannot compete with the giant OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) websites on Google?
Well, in short, YES. There are several reasons why it is important for a hotel to have its own website, and we will go over them in this article:
1. Visibility: a website can help increase the visibility of a property, making it easier for potential guests to find and book a room. With a website, guests can easily learn about the hotel's location, amenities, and room rates and make a reservation directly from the site, and you have total control over what information is displayed, unlike OTA pages.
2. Convenience: a website provides a convenient way for guests to book a room, check availability, and make any necessary changes to their reservation without the hassle of contacting the agencies or middlemen. This can save time and effort for both the property manager and the guest.
3. Marketing: although major OTA’s claim they are marketing your property, the reality is that you might get the booking but their website gets the traffic. And that means a lot to search engines. A website can be an effective marketing tool for a hotel, allowing the hotel to showcase its unique features and amenities and attract new guests. Through social media integration, email marketing, and other digital marketing strategies, a hotel can reach a wider audience and drive bookings.
4. Branding: a website is a great opportunity for a hotel to establish its brand and create a professional online presence throughout the world. With a well-designed website, a hotel can differentiate itself from competitors and build trust with potential guests. A hotel's own website allows the hotel to present its brand and unique features in a way that aligns with its overall brand identity. This can be more difficult to do on an OTA site, where the hotel's offerings may be presented alongside those of other hotels in a standard way.
5. Customer service: a website can provide a platform for a property to communicate with guests and provide excellent customer service. This can include answering frequently asked questions, providing travel tips and recommendations, and offering online booking assistance.
6. Direct bookings: when a guest books directly through a hotel's website, the hotel retains a larger portion of the booking revenue. This can be beneficial for the hotel as it allows them to invest more in their property and provide a better experience for guests, or for the client if the difference is used as a discount.
7. Personalization: a hotel's own website can provide a more personalised booking experience for guests. This can include saving the client's preferences in their login account such as preference for specific room types or special requests, such as extra pillows or late checkout.
8. Loyalty programs: many hotels offer loyalty programs that reward guests for booking directly through the hotel's website. These programs may include perks such as free nights, room upgrades, breakfast, and other exclusive benefits.
Having a website is essential for any property that wants to attract guests and build a successful business. It provides a convenient and effective way to reach potential customers and showcase the property's unique offerings.
Overall, while Booking.com and other OTAs can be a convenient way to book a room, booking directly through a hotel's website can provide a more personalised and potentially rewarding experience for guests.
Get your quote now and have your website online in 2 months with Le Peach.