04 Oct 5 reasons why your hotel needs a good website
Websites differ from each other not only in terms of the graphic design and functionalities but most importantly the purposes they serve. Some are a source of information, some attract attention with amazing graphics and images, there are some designed exclusively to sell. What purpose should a good website serve in the hotel industry in which sales relies on trust, good relations and guest loyalty? Below are the 5 purposes a website should serve.
- Main communication channel
A website is the first place where Guests look for information about the hotel. The information is available at all times and thus, it is important that they are presented in an attractive way and managed appropriately. A website is also the main platform for communication with the guests. It has to offer forms of contact which users expect but also, or rather first and foremost, users of the mobile site (a growing trend).
- Hotel trademark
Both the graphic and text layers make a website the hotel’s trademark provided that it corresponds to the hotel – it reflects the character and highlights the advantages. To achieve such a result, we design a website to allow a guest, who has never visited the hotel before, to be there virtually – feel the atmosphere, discover the character.
- Building the brand image
Obviously, apart from being user-friendly (intuitive, simple, clear), a website has to be competitive in terms of content. Thus it is worth to leave some room for to build the brand image, among others, with a presentation of elements such as restaurants, events, special offers, attractions at the hotel, as well as the unique solutions which define the hotel’s character. Nonetheless, the hotel image does not only include the visible but, first and foremost, the quality of the service and the establishment of long-term relations with a guest.
- Source of information
A hotel website is a source of information for both guests and a hotel. For one thing – to make a website content worthy, we need to provide a wide range of information which builds the image and informs about the hotel: its history, available attractions, distinctive traits, conference opportunities, restaurant offers, etc. We must not forget about content optimization – a unique content complemented with an image, equally attractive gallery which comprehensively uncovers the hotel offer.
- Direct sales
The main task when building a website is effective sales (of rooms, offers, hotel services) and increasing the percentage of direct bookings by connecting an efficient booking engine. A guest may also check room availability, special offers, and packages, and make a booking on from virtually any level of the site.