The Hidden Cost of a Weak Online Presence

To be honest, most of us may not admit it but it frequently becomes a habit of ours to Google people and businesses we come across. The curiosity in us does not only prompt this; rather it functions as an evaluation technique verifying integrity and dependability among others mostly in professional circumstances.

The common questions asked are: Are they trustworthy? What have they achieved in life? Can I rely on such a person or company? Is their brand genuine? This procedure is crucial in situations when one has to make important decisions like choosing the best hotel for accommodation.

A hotel owner narrated about a client who after a simple Google search changed his mind and went to another hotel. “I had more information about them through Google so I thought that was the better option,” explained the millennial guest. The owner was shocked since he or she provided good services only for the guest to finally take off just because of the results that came from their Google search or rather lack thereof any outcome at all.

Google Yourself

Take a minute to Google your business name. Now, read those search results as if you were a potential guest looking to travel to your destination or book your service. Be honest—is what you see in line with the image you want to convey?

Sometimes, not much comes up, or it’s right down to a basic listing on booking sites. That minimal appearance holds little space for specifying your hotel’s character and fine service. Because first impressions made in the digital world can be effectively how people perceive you, your first impression should by no means be left to chance.

Though so many owners are brilliant at creating an experience that will resonate long after guests leave, so much of the real decision-making happens long before they ever cross your threshold. Unfortunately, for way too many of these precious hotels, an online presence that is interwoven with organic credibility doesn’t seem to get built.

We’ll discuss in this blog how to improve your online reputation and make sure that, when people are searching for information about your hotel through Google, they get a positive and persuasive representation.

1. Develop a dedicated website

Create a professional website for your hotel with a domain name similar to the name of your hotel. This should serve as the focal point for all other online activities. Even if you belong to a bigger chain, take this as a top priority. My organization, Web Anatomy, can design a new website for you and also assist with your personal branding. Please contact us if we may be of assistance in any way. Your website should provide detailed information about the hotel, have pictures of rooms and amenities, and answer frequent questions from guests through blogs.

2. Maintain a Consistent Online Identity

Tips to ensure that you maintain a consistent online identity across platforms:
  • Use similar usernames on different social media accounts. Confirm availability through Knowem.
  • Take professional-looking profile pictures as well as friendly cover photos.
  • Design concise and informative bios that come out as a mirror of your expertise and the individual hotel’s USPs

3. Create high-quality content

Always produce quality content that is relevant to your followers.
  • Compose articles, blog posts, or videos that will make people know more about what makes you special in relation to other hotels.
  • Allow this content to appear on your website, LinkedIn account, and other social media platforms so that clients can see it and decide whether they want to stay at your place or not.

4. Engage in thought leadership.

Position yourself as an expert in the field of tourism.
  • Be part of podcasts, webinars, and online conversations.
  • Share ideas, give feedback, and participate actively in discussions that are related to this industry.
  • Also, think about writing an e-book, even going further by publishing a hard copy book regarding areas you specialize in.

5. Publish on LinkedIn

Troop in LinkedIn to indicate your skills and knowledge.
  • To connect with a professional audience, write and post articles on LinkedIn.
  • Make connections with other business leaders and have insightful discussions.

6. Ask for Positive Feedback

Encourage happy customers to post positive reviews on platforms such as Google, TripAdvisor, and Booking.com. Reviews of this sort can go a long way to influence potential guests’ decisions.

7. Pursue Awards and Certifications

Apply for relevant awards and certifications that will enhance your professional standing. This accolade can give confidence that guests are choosing a trustworthy hotel. These accomplishments should be displayed prominently on your website along with social media profiles.

8. Manage Your Online Privacy

Occasionally evaluate your privacy settings on social media to determine what information can be seen by other users. Be cautious about the personal information you disclose online.

9. Monitor your Digital Footprint

By setting up Google Alerts for your hotel’s name, you will receive notifications any time someone posts something related to it on the internet. Ensure to monitor search results regularly so as to keep a good reputation on the web.

10. Address Negative Content Responsibly

If there are any negative posts or bad reviews about you, address them in a proactive and polite manner by sincerely acknowledging all of them.

11. Stay Updated

This demonstrates that it is not a dormant hotel by updating its online profiles and website with past achievements, projects, and events.

12. Leverage Public Relations

To give expert comments on hospitality-related topics, seek mainstream news publications where, as a PR agency, you can approach journalists who can call on your expertise.

The process of improving online credibility doesn’t stop at any moment. It takes much time and effort to establish an online presence, but it is worth it because there are significant benefits linked to reputation management and professional opportunities.

The above-stated strategies will help improve the Google profile, bring better options regarding one’s career path, and draw in perfect guests, therefore making sure potential guests pick your hotel over others.

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