Getting listed on online travel agencies (OTAs) is an essential step for every hotel looking to build their online presence and get more bookings.
But what are some of the other benefits of getting listed on a site like Expedia? Here are five ways it can drive your hotel business.
Just being listed on Expedia can help build your brand awareness. Some people want to book with the most luxurious, expensive hotels. Others want in-between options. Still others are looking for convenience of location, restaurants, or activities.
By listing your hotel on Expedia, you can present yourself as an alternative to the options already available. If people are looking for something different or specific, they might be inclined to check you out.
And if you are already part of a well-known chain, then you can promote the consistent experience customers have come to know and expect from your recognizable brand.
Naturally, it’s fair to say that being on Expedia will also increase your bookings.
When searchers go to Expedia, they are often looking for deals, and Expedia offers them just that. This increases conversions.
Others are looking for a specific location or experience. Either way, Expedia makes it easy for travelers to find exactly what they’re looking for in a hotel.
Being on Expedia should increase inquiries and bookings overall, which means more business for you.
Online reviews are very important. They are key signals that demonstrate credibility and trustworthiness. When people go to a site like Expedia to read reviews, they get to find out what others have said about you, and what their experience was like. Does it seem like previous guests had a positive experience overall? Then people are more likely trust you and book with you. But you can also learn from negative reviews to figure out what to do better moving forward.
If you don’t have any reviews, it can make it difficult for newcomers to decide whether to book with you. But if they can see that others have booked, and they enjoyed their stay, then they know what to expect. It’s social proof.
It can be difficult to get the ball rolling with reviews, but an OTA like Expedia can make it easy for you to start receiving feedback from customers so you know what you’re doing right, and what you’re doing wrong.
As a hotel, your online presence is extremely important. But launching a website, developing content, and building links takes time. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do it, but SEO is a long-term game, and the payoff is also long-term.
Fortunately, OTAs like Expedia are trusted sites that have been around for a long time. Having a presence there will boost your overall SEO. The same can be said for reviews as well.
So, if you’re not sure where to get started on the search engine optimization front, start with OTAs. You should see an improvement in rankings after registering with them (but maybe not immediately).
Being in the hospitality industry is sometimes tedious, because you find yourself having to answer the same questions repeatedly. Are these amenities available? Do you have internet? Where is the parking? What are the rooms like?
When customers book with Expedia, a lot of their questions are answered upfront. They get to learn about your hotel, where you’re located, amenities you provide, activities nearby, and much more, before they ever book.
Ideally, your website should be set up in the same manner. But the point is that people booking with Expedia get a good sense of your hotel before they ever decide to stay with you, which can help reduce the amount of time you spend explaining things.
As with any business, growing too soon too fast can be a problem. Ensure that you have the capacity, resources, and personnel to handle an influx in bookings. It may not happen overnight, but it can build over time once you have a presence on Expedia.