Step Two of The Five Steps of a Guest Booking Process

Boostly
Boostly
Jul 25, 2017 · 3 min read

Let me show you how to boost your direct bookings

Time for step number two of the guest booking process. Are you ready? (Step one is here)

In the last post about step one: PLAN, I went into what psychological steps the potential guests go through in the beginning of the guest booking process, and more importantly what you can do to make sure they continue through the process and book with you.

Now let’s get into step two: RESEARCH.

STEP 2: RESEARCH

This is where the guest finds out more about what you have to offer and if their needs are matched.

Images

One of the first things a potential guest does during this step is to check out your photos. That is why it is so important that your images are up-to-date and look great!

(If you want to find out more about how to take the ideal photo of your hotel, CLICK HERE:)

Another tip is to go to your TripAdvisor page/ OTA page and make sure your first 5 images are your best ones. I see so many properties put any old image here, and honestly, it puts off so many potential bookers. Don’t make that mistake!

A good way to test this is to check your stats on your OTA or TripAdvisor account. If you are getting a high ratio of people clicking on to your listing, but then a low percentage are actually booking, it’s probably because of your photos.

Let me show you how to boost your direct bookings

The Goods

Besides photos, the guest is researching what else they get for staying with you. Other big factors they look for are:

•Location

•What’s included in the room rate

•What facilities do you have

It’s important that your website and online listings clearly state all of the above. Ideally, we want everyone to be on your website at this stage. However, we have to be realistic and accept that most people will have discovered you for the first time via an OTA, TripAdvisor, or an online listing.

Make sure that your location and facilities are clearly indicated on your website, maybe via the menu bar or on the home page. Remember, the goal is to keep the potential guest on your website, so make everything as easy and clear as possible.

Your Reviews

Now, it’s all about your reviews. Your reviews are the social proof that your property is the one for them. So definitely get your online reviews on your website, ideally on your home page.

Finally, get on your social media game and make sure you have a good presence. (Don’t forget to link your posts to your website.)

The cool thing is that you can connect any social media platform to your website. Facebook is great! Not only can you put your posts on your website, but the potential guest will be able to see who of their friends have liked your page too.

Social approval is a HUGE part of the buying process, so if they see that one of their friends have liked your Facebook page, then they have been socially confirmed and this will make it easier to book them.

Hopefully, you’ve taken away with some helpful information!

I recommend you go to your website now and make sure that it’s not putting people off from going to the next step.

Let me show you how to boost your direct bookings

Boostly

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Boostly

Helping Hospitality Owners From All Over The World Increase Their Direct Bookings

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