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How To Advertise Your Hotel Online
Let's be honest. You probably didn't jump into running a hotel just to mess with spreadsheets or track click rates all day. No, it's the hospitality side that got you. That fresh coffee smell, the clean sheets, and yeah, that smile from a guest when they step into a nice room.
Your place could be some fancy getaway spot. Or maybe its more of a warm little hideout. The thing is, sometimes it feels like you're performing for nobody. Empty seats in the house, you know.
These days, travelers don't hit the lobby first. They start right there on their phone screen. If you're sticking to old school ads or letting those big online agencies handle everything, you're missing out on real money.
This isn't saying you need to turn into a tech expert tomorrow. Its more about a simple plan focused on people. Turn those online looks into actual stays. Make sure when someone searches for a bed, your hotel stands out. Not just another choice. The choice.
So here's a straightforward guide. Step by step on handling online ads for your hotel.
Step 1. Start With Your Website
Don't throw cash at ads yet. Fix up your site first. It's your main way to book direct. Open all day, no fees to anyone.
Mobile-friendly hotel website - Most folks check travel stuff on phones. Half or more, really. The page has to load quickly, under three seconds. Easy to tap around. Good pictures too. If it's slow on mobile, it's like hanging a closed sign.
Go heavy on pictures, not walls of text. People book because it feels right. Get pro shots. Maybe a quick video tour if you can. Show the views at sunset. The morning food setup. Spa stuff. Not only the bedroom.
Hotel Booking should be dead simple. From wanting it to be done. No snags. Messy processes make people bail. Top reason they quit. Hook up a good booking tool. Put the “Book Now” spot everywhere.
Step 2. Getting Found—The Two Pillars of Visibility
The site looks good now. Time to bring people in. Organic stuff like SEO. Or paid, like PPC ads.
A. Organic Visibility (SEO & Google My Business)
Local SEO for hotels. Grab your Google Business Profile. Optimize it. Keep name, address, phone the same all over. Answer reviews always. List what you offer. Post updates now and then. Helps show up on maps. Ties into hotel ads on Google.
Content counts too. Don't only talk hotel. Talk the town. Blogs on five secret coffee spots nearby. Or a weekend rundown for the city. You turn into the go to for travel tips. Pulls in folks early.
B. Paid Visibility (PPC & Google Hotel Ads)
When they're set to book, be right there.
Google Hotel Ads first. Key one. Shows at top of searches with prices updating live. Link your booking to it. You go head to head with the big sites. But pay way less in cuts.
Then targeted Google Ads. Pick words like luxury spot near that famous thing. Or pet okay rooms in town. Skip bad words, like cheap, so you don't waste on wrong clicks.
Step 3. Social Storytelling (Aspiration and Connection)
It's not all buying. It's sparking ideas. Travelers want trips that fit their vibe.
Instagram and Pinterest work for looks. Post great photos, videos. Balcony outlook. Bartender at work. Coupled with breakfast in the room. Sell the vibe. Not the bed itself.
Ads on Facebook, Instagram too. For bringing back visitors who peeked but left. Or fans of other places like yours. Target types, business folks, families, couples on trips. Messages that hit home.
Step 4. Mastering the Follow-Up (Email and Retargeting)
First time, most don't book. They shop around. Prices, flights, when to go. You nudge them back. Nice and easy.
Emails to build it. Pop up for their address. Give ten percent off or a special. Follow with deals or city tips. Set alerts for started but dropped bookings.
Retargeting that sticks. Google display, Meta ads. Remind for a month. Not hard sell. Soft, like still want that sea view. Good deals this weekend. Keeps you in their head.
Step 5. The Growth Mindset: Measure, Adapt, and Scale
Ads online keep changing. Not set and forget. Watch the numbers. Adjust.
What you get back per dollar spent. ROAS, that's it.
Cost to land one booking. CPA. If it's more than what OTAs take, fix things.
Look over often. Update the ads. Try new stuff. Everything moves fast online. Adapt or fall behind.
If juggling SEO, paid ads, hotel listings, social all at once sounds too much, get help, Collaborating with a specialized growth strategy firm. They bring the smarts and push to match the big players. Boost those direct books.
Online ads aren't extra anymore. They hold up the whole thing. Mix tech with that real welcome feel. Good images. Site that works smoothly. Ads that fit where the traveler is at.
Quit giving OTAs all the say with your guests. Grab the bookings yourself. Keep the data. See direct climb. Profits too. Shows starting soon. Fill those seats.
