Independent hotel managers often face unique challenges when it comes to boosting direct bookings. With the dominance of OTAs and branded properties, it can be tough for independent hotels to stand out and encourage guests to book direct.
However, there are proven strategies that can empower independent hotels to enhance their online visibility, foster guest trust, foster loyalty, and ultimately drive an increase in direct bookings.
In the first part of this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 3 effective steps to elevate your independent hotel’s online reputation and supercharge those direct bookings. Let’s get started on the path to success!
Focus on your online visibility & boost it through reviews
Independent properties frequently struggle with visibility on OTAs and metasearch platforms. Additionally, establishing the same level of customer trust as established brands can be an uphill battle.
To address these issues, independent hotels should adopt strategies that optimize their websites, social media platforms and their presence on OTAs.
One of the most powerful strategies for independent hotels is to boost online visibility and cultivate guest trust through reviews. Your reputation profoundly influences guests’ decisions, underscoring the need to increase the volume of positive guest reviews. This not only elevates your ranking on platforms like TripAdvisor and OTAs, but also plays a pivotal role in guests’ booking choices.
Achieve up to 52% growth in TripAdvisor reviews
Furthermore, it’s crucial to prominently showcase these reviews on your website and social media channels. This is especially vital considering that a substantial 80% of guests routinely check hotel websites before finalizing reservations on OTAs or other booking platforms. Additionally, more than 50% of individuals would never book a hotel that had zero reviews.
- To boost the number of direct bookings through online reputation management, independent hotel managers should consider implementing the following steps:
Step #1: Proactive guest satisfaction monitoring and real-time feedback
Before diving into strategies for acquiring more positive reviews, it’s crucial for hotels to understand why they need to prioritize guest satisfaction. Research shows that over 35% of internet users may hesitate to book if they find more negative than positive reviews about a hotel online.
In fact, hotels risk losing up to 22% of bookings due to negative reviews, and this can soar to a 70% loss with multiple negative reviews on various platforms.
To address this, hotels can utilize modern technologies like the Directful Reputation Management solution. These AI-driven platforms allow hotels to collect real-time feedback and engage in personalized communication with guests throughout their stay.
It empowers guests to share their experiences and concerns easily and provides valuable insights into guest satisfaction.
Leveraging AI’s real-time sentiment analysis capabilities, hotels can swiftly identify and address any issues or concerns as they arise. By proactively managing guest satisfaction, hotels can prevent negative experiences from escalating, reducing the likelihood of negative reviews impacting their online reputation. This sets the stage for garnering more positive reviews and attracting a greater number of guests.
Step #2: Utilize AI to determine the optimal time & channel for requesting guest reviews
AI can be a powerful tool in understanding when and how to request guest reviews. By analyzing past customer behavior and data, AI can identify patterns and predict when guests are most likely to leave a review. This information can be used to create targeted campaigns that improve the chances of receiving positive reviews by 50%.
Boost reviews with AI-powered reputation management tools
Step #3: Increase review response rate & volume with automated review collection
Implementing an automated system to handle guest satisfaction surveys, review requests, and follow-ups can significantly enhance the hotel’s online reputation. This automation frees up hotel staff from manual tasks, allowing them to focus on other essential aspects of guest service and hotel operations. Simultaneously, it increases the number of positive reviews, further boosting the hotel’s online visibility and reputation.
If you want to explore a real-world case study on how Florida’s hotel increased TripAdvisor area ranking by 6 positions using Directful Reputation Management solution, check out our detailed case study here: https://directful.com/case-studies/reputation-management-ad1-global/
By capitalizing on this strategy, independent hotels can bolster their online presence, enhance guest trust, and, ultimately, propel their direct bookings to new heights.
Don’t miss the next part of our comprehensive guide for independent hotels on how to boost direct bookings— be sure to follow us on social media:
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