Has your hotel outgrown its website?
Hey Keara,
Kelly is a busy mom. She has been planning a vacation for her family.
The vacation is long overdue.
Kelly cares deeply about her family’s needs when choosing where they stay.
She has three hotel must-haves—a pool, an on-site playground, and a breakfast buffet.
Kelly has her own list of desires—a modern design, luxurious bedding, excellent on-site dining, and a wine bar.
Her Google search showed these amenities listed for the Beachfront Hotel.
Excited, she visits the hotel’s website to learn more.
But when she lands there, confusion overwhelms her.
She questions if she has landed on the right website.
The website is outdated and doesn't match the beautiful photos that caught her eye on Google.
She notices that the room types look recently renovated, but their display style is confusing.
As she explores more on the site, her excitement quickly turns to frustration.
The website's feels outdated, cluttered, and difficult to navigate.
Key information she cares about is hard to find or missing altogether.
Disappointed and low on trust, Kelly leaves the website and starts her search again.
Nod your head if you've been on a website like this.
This begs some important questions.
How's your website looking these days?
Does your website reflect your growth - the renovations and experience enhancements?
Go ahead and take a look at your website.
I'll wait. (insert Jeopardy tunes)
Oh, and don't forget to look at it on your phone too.
What do you see?
What do you feel when you look at it?
Does your hotel's vibe come through on your website?
If you've recently renovated your rooms, upgraded your amenities, and leveled up your guest services - high fives!
Now, it's time to match that experience to your website.
4 Questions that put your website to the test
Q1. Does your website design match the vibe of your hotel?
The visual appeal of a website tells your guests a lot about your hotel in a matter of seconds.
Do the colors, fonts, and photos tell the right story?
Is the styling right for who you are and what your guests will experience?
If your guests are there for adventure, use bright colours, bold fonts, and exciting photos.
If your guests stay for relaxation or luxury, use soft colors. Use lots of white space and light fonts.
Many hotel websites design their color schemes based on the colors in the logo.
This no longer applies.
However, if it clashes with your new vibe, it may be time for a logo upgrade.
Q2. Do you have more than 1 way for guests to contact you?
An email address and a phone number don't cut it anymore.
Fewer guests are less willing to pick up the phone and call you.
74% of internet users prefer interacting with chatbots when seeking answers to straightforward questions.
Offer multiple channels for direct communication and interaction.
Forms: Add a form to any page where people want more information. Think wedding pages, group or corporate event pages, and career or job application pages.
Chatbots: Guests are looking for immediate answers. Installing a chatbot is easy. Facebook Messenger offers a free chatbot, or I recommend an AI-powered Chatbot like Akia, Canary, or Ivy.
33% of customers preferred using a chatbot to make a reservation at a restaurant or hotel.
Q3. Does my website's messaging align with the hotel's current vibe? Is it consistent across all pages?
I see hotel websites that get a fresh new look.
However, they often retain the messaging from the old website, causing a misalignment.
I also see hotel websites where the homepage gets a new look and message.
But, the other website pages still have old text.
Words matter.
Write a new value proposition or positioning statement. It should best tell the story of what your guests will experience with you.
Post it on your home page and throughout your website.
🔥 Hot Tip: Follow the 3 C's - clear, compelling, and consistent.
Q4. Is your website easy to navigate and intuitive?
You may be great at navigating your own site, but you're not the target audience—the booker.
You've got to think and act like a web visitor.
Hard navigation and links to non-relevant content drive visitors away from a website.
I developed a 6-point UX template. It will help improve website navigation and intuitiveness.
Want to find out if your hotel experience has outgrown your website?
Subscribe to the Bookings Boost Newsletter to receive the Website UX Template and other FREE resources directly in your inbox.
I hope you've found these tips helpful.
High fives on your growth and for having a website that shows off your hard work.
Subscribe 👇 to the Bookings Boost Newsletter
If you're the kind of person who likes to fast-track their growth results, here are 2 ways I can help.
Revenue Roadmap: In 12 days, get a full assessment and action plan to fast-track your revenue results.
30-Min Free Growth Strategy Call: Book a time to chat with Christine about a challenge or your next level of growth.
