Why Hotel Businesses Are Switching to Online Bookings

Hotels can attract more and more guests if they focus on online bookings. If a hotel builds a strong presence in the digital space, people from all over the world can easily find that hotel's website. They can book rooms using travel sites and hotel booking systems. Thus, the hotel can expand its market reach by going beyond local customers if they use online hotel booking system.

Hoteliers can save money if they use online hotel booking system as it automates the reservation process. When there is better and efficient allocation of resources and less dependency on manual process, it really saves money and leads to higher Return on Investment. Hoteliers can increase revenue using cross selling too. Example: During online booking they can promote additional services online like breakfast or spa packages etc.

Why waste time and effort of staff on answering phone calls and handling manual reservations! Automation allows staff members to focus on more productive things like providing better service to guests. This increases the reputation of the hotel, develops the hotel business and generates higher revenue.

One of the greatest benefits of online booking system is that guests can book rooms anytime and anywhere. This adds to the comfort and convenience of travellers as people nowadays prefer quick and easy transactions.

Online booking systems work 24*7. So, people book rooms even at 3 in the morning and it does not matter if the staff is not available offline. Thus, the hotel can capture bookings at any time even at late night. This increases the overall number of bookings to a great extent.

Today hoteliers have the opportunity to list their properties on OTAs like Booking.com, Expedia, and Agoda. Now, these platforms have access to millions of people on a daily basis. Tying up with these online platforms means you also have the access to these potential guests. Thus, you can drive your bookings easily.

A good Property Management System makes sure that the hotel’s room availability and pricing are updated in real time across all platforms. This reduces the risk of overbooking. At the same time it ensures optimum booking thereby boosting revenue.

Hotels owners nowadays have the opportunity to get a Booking Engine for their hotel website. A booking engine reduces the dependency on third party platforms and OTAs. It also saves money as the hotel owner does not need to share profits in the form of commission fee. In short, direct bookings through hotel’s website means higher revenue and increased branding of the hotel. Hoteliers can lure guests to book directly from their hotel website by giving special discounts or special services free of cost.

Social Media Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are one of the best tools for branding in today’s times. Hotels should update attractive posts and give advertisements regarding special promotions on these platforms. This can drive traffic to your online hotel booking service.

Digital marketing tools like search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) service are excellent methods to boost traffic and get guests hooked to your hotel website. Hotels that rank high in search engines attract bookings very easily.

Online reviews can make or break your hotel's reputation. If hoteliers can get good reviews from satisfied guests, it builds trust in the online space in a very organic way. Also, hotel technologies available nowadays have mechanisms to address negative reviews (especially those posted by rivals and competitors) and manage your hotel’s reputation.

Google’s free hotel booking links gives hotels a chance to be listed without paying for any advertisements. By enrolling in this program, hotels can increase their visibility on Google Search and Maps. Result: More direct bookings without additional costs.