Starting a Small Hotel or Airbnb?
5 Smart Ways to Increase Online Bookings
The right Airbnb or hotel room can feel like a home away from home. At the same time, however, deceitful online listings can make it almost impossible to generate repeat business.
Whether you’re looking to win guests back or just get them through the door in the first place, you’ll need to perfect your digital presence.
To help you increase your online bookings, we’ve created a list of five tips designed to let you take control of your digital marketing. Keep reading to find out more!
Take Great Photos
It may sound cliché, but a picture truly is worth 1,000 words. Or, in this context, 1,000 bookings.
In the Information Age, we make purchasing decisions with our eyes first. Most people need to see something for themselves before they’re willing to spend. Therefore, it’s time to unleash your inner artist and spruce up your listings with some fantastic photos!
You can start by focusing on lighting. Natural, bright lighting can make a space appear welcoming and warm. Play up the space of the room, too, to give future guests a better idea of the room’s dimensions.
Revamp Your Descriptions
Though photos play an integral role in hotel bookings, you’ll still need to reel customers in with a great description of the space itself. Your written portion should make customers feel at home.
Listing the room’s dimensions or adding a bullet point about WiFi is helpful, but it’s not as warm and welcoming as something like,
“Make yourself comfortable in our spacious and quiet rooms, where guests have plenty of legroom to rest and recharge. And you’re welcome to take advantage of our high-speed WiFi, free of charge for all guests.”
Know Where to Advertise
Once you’ve perfected your description and have plenty of eye-catching photos, you’ll need to choose where to advertise.
Whether you’re a one-person operation or you have a small team, it’s best to advertise through multiple avenues so you can reach more people.
Google My Business, for instance, is a fantastic starting point. They even have a special listing option designed to increase online bookings by highlighting your photos and past reviews.
Highlight Past Client Experiences
Studies show that, no matter how strong your advertising is, most people will always trust an online review more. Customers have more power than ever, so you’ll need to keep an eye on your reviews.
At least once per week, parse through your online reviews and see what feedback guests are providing. Use this info to better your business for future guests.
Also, reach out when you see a negative review. Be apologetic and understanding. The right response can make a bad situation much better.
Consider Outsourcing
You’re a small operation, is outsourcing a viable option? You bet!
Though you might think outsourcing is reserved strictly for major hotel chains, the truth is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on your Airbnb or hotel internet marketing. Small businesses like yours benefit from it all the time.
Not only does outsourcing reduce day-to-day stress, but you’ll gain access to top-tier tools and experts who know how to use them. So, while it might cost a bit more upfront, you’ll make the cost back far faster by leaving your hotel bookings to the pros.
Increase Your Online Bookings with These Great Tips
Boosting your online bookings might take some work, but it’s more than worth the effort! As long as you follow these five tips, you should have guests lining up in no time!
