The outbreak of COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the hotel industry. Occupancy rates have plummeted, and many hotels have temporarily closed their doors.
As things gradually return to normal, hoteliers need to find ways to reassert their presence online and attract guests back to their properties. Here are a few tips for business owners to amplify their hotel chains online after the Covid 19 blow.
Work on Your Business Website
Your business website is one of the most critical tools in your arsenal when marketing your hotel chain. A website ensures potential guests can find you online and learn more about your properties. In addition, a website boosts your business credibility and can help you rank higher in search engine results.
To ensure your website is up to par, start by providing that all your content is accurate and up-to-date. If you have any outdated information or inaccurate descriptions, potential guests will quickly become frustrated and may move on to another property.
Take some time to spruce up your website design. A fresh, modern look will help you stand out from the competition and show potential guests that you are keeping up with the times. Most importantly, optimize your website for mobile devices. With more and more people using their smartphones and tablets to browse the internet, responsive websites can be better viewed through a smaller screen.
Luckily, you do not have to be an expert to create a small business website, and with the availability of intuitive website builders tools like Wix it is now less of a rigorous process to gain an online presence.
Use Social Media to Your Advantage
Social media is a powerful tool to help you reach a wider audience and connect with potential guests. Posting engaging content regularly can help you build a following of loyal fans who are interested in your hotel chain.
When creating social media posts, focus on quality over quantity. It is better to post a few well-written, informative, or entertaining posts each week than to bombard your followers with multiple low-quality posts every day. Additionally, make sure to use attractive visuals whenever possible. Posts with photos or videos tend to perform much better than those without.
Invest in an App
An app can be a valuable asset for any business, but it is even more beneficial for hotel chains. A well-designed app can help you connect with guests, promote hotel rooms and amenities, and boost customer loyalty.
When creating an app for your hotel chain, focus on making it user-friendly and packed with valuable features. Potential guests should be able to intuitively navigate the app and find the information they are looking for. Additionally, your app should offer features that will enhance the guest experience, such as the ability to book rooms or view restaurant menus.
Create a Blog
A blog is a great way to share exciting content with potential guests and build your hotel’s online presence. When creating blog posts, focus on topics that will be of interest to your target audience. For example, you could write about travel tips, local attractions, or the history of your hotel chain.
In addition to featuring informative and engaging content, ensure your blog is well-designed and unchallenging to navigate. Potential guests should be able to find the information they are looking for quickly. Additionally, visuals such as photos and videos can help make your blog posts more engaging.
Create YouTube Videos
YouTube is a robust platform that can help you reach a wider audience and connect with potential guests. Posting engaging videos regularly can help you build a following of loyal fans who are interested in your hotel chain.
When creating YouTube videos, focus on quality over quantity. It is better to post a few well-scripted, informative, or entertaining videos each week than to bombard your subscribers with multiple low-quality videos every day. Additionally, make sure to use attractive visuals whenever possible. Videos with high-quality images and graphics tend to perform much better than those without. Here are a few ideas for types of videos you can post on YouTube:
- Virtual tours of your hotel rooms, common areas, and local attractions
- Videos about upcoming events or promotions
- Interviews with members of your hotel staff
- How-to videos about travel tips or local attractions
Leverage Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is a powerful tool to help you reach a wider audience and connect with potential guests. Working with influencers with a large social media following can help you promote your hotel chain and connect with potential guests.
When choosing influencers to work with, select those who align with your brand and have a relevant audience. For example, if you were targeting families, you would want to work with an influencer who has a large following of parents. Additionally, make sure to negotiate the terms of your partnership upfront to avoid any misunderstandings down the road.
Conclusion
There are many ways to amplify your hotel chain’s online presence. Yet, by following the tips in this article, you can reach a wider audience, build your brand, and boost customer loyalty.
