In the ever-changing competitive landscape, it has become challenging for hotels to stand out and serve their guests better.
With the changing trends and preferences, hoteliers need to think of innovative ways to reach their target audience and get more bookings.
More bookings can be possible when they launch new marketing tools and invest in hotel automation software that increases their operational efficiency and brings a steady flow of revenue.
From using social media platforms to heading towards the trend of mobile ordering, the hospitality industry went through various developments that provide personalized guest experiences and at the same time ease the marketing efforts of hoteliers.
In this blog, we'll discuss hotel marketing software, its role in hotels and resorts, and the benefits of investing in that software.
Marketing is an important component for any business be it hospitality or restaurant. It involves using various marketing tools, so your hotel business attracts more guests, gets more revenue, and makes your hotel more profitable.
Studies indicate that 60% of restaurant businesses fail in the first year of starting because they don’t do marketing. They believe that marketing for a restaurant is an expensive endeavor.
That’s where hotels and restaurant businesses need to adopt smart marketing strategies to reach the right target audience at the right time.
Let's discuss the role of marketing software in shaping modern hospitality-
Personalization is always at its core. A research report from Accenture states that personalized experiences affect consumer behavior and consumers are likely to buy from brands -
Integration of the CRM system enhances your guest experiences by collecting and analyzing guest data and then curating your hotel’s marketing strategy accordingly.
For Instance – If you notice that a guest prefers a specific room type or has dietary restrictions, then your hotel marketing software tracks guest preferences.
The next time hoteliers know what type of upsells they should do or run the targeted promotions that enhance the guest experience.
Marketing software in the hospitality industry can be a powerful weapon to acquire new prospects and increase guest retention.
Usage of e-mail marketing tools and CRM software segments guests based on their preferences, booking history, demographics, or past behavior.
By analyzing guest preferences, hoteliers can then send targeted e-mail campaigns, promotions, or packages that drive more bookings and hence more revenue.
Investing in good hotel marketing software is a sure shot way to drive direct bookings.
The integration of a hotel or restaurant website with a booking engine can get you more bookings without relying on third-party OTAs or intermediaries who charge hefty commissions from you.
A revenue management system enables hoteliers to set dynamic pricing strategies in real-time. They don’t have to make any random guesses or rely on their GUT to set the best rates for each hotel room.
These automated software solutions consider external factors such as competitor pricing, weather conditions, market trends, demand and supply patterns. They can then set the dynamic room prices to earn maximum revenue for each room.
Let’s discuss the few benefits that marketing software provides to hotels and restaurants-
As customer preferences are changing, they’re shifting towards online channels and mediums so that guests can find them. Maintaining an online presence is a non-negotiable instrument for converting lookers into bookers.
Marketing software for restaurants and hotels isn’t confined to making your brands shine, rather they serve as a powerful means for building relationships with travelers.
For example – Website builder tools are a GOLDMINE for resorts, hotels, and B&Bs for driving bookings from domestic as well as international audiences.
An SEO-friendly website increases their online exposure and gives them more visibility on search engines such as Google, Yahoo, etc.
Additionally, integrating your website with an online booking engine ensures that you get direct bookings on your website. More importantly, those bookings are commission-free.
Marketing software increases guest loyalty by tracking guest preferences and history and then providing personalized offers, recommendations, and packages to lure guests.
This way, when guests can get free offers or discounts such as 2 nights free stay, they’re likely to choose you over others. Thus, it drives customer loyalty.
Another significant benefit of choosing hotel marketing software is that it saves your costs in the long run by automating repetitive yet mundane tasks. This way, hoteliers can spend more time serving their guests and knowing them inside out.
A seamless integration of your hotel’s website with a booking engine ensures that you don’t have to pay commissions to OTAs to increase your online visibility.
Visitors can come to your website directly and make a reservation on the go. This helps you achieve cost savings in the long run.
A revenue management system helps hoteliers create smart pricing strategies by considering market trends and current demand patterns.
Thus, hoteliers will never lose revenue during the peak season or can set optimal room rates when the market demand is low.
Thus, they can fill the occupancy and maximize their profits, and they don’t have to struggle with underpricing or overpricing of hotel rooms.
Let's talk about the emerging marketing software trends for hotels and restaurant businesses.
As customer preferences are changing, hoteliers can integrate chatbots on their websites. These AI-powered chatbots can convert potential visitors into guests by answering their questions 24*7.
Moreover, these innovative technologies streamline the booking process by guiding the guests through the booking process, simplifying the reservation process, and upselling or cross selling the services when required.
These chatbots understand and analyze guest preferences in one place and later provide personalized recommendations.
By understanding guest insights, hoteliers can fine-tune their services and formulate effective marketing strategies to earn more hotel revenue.
Modern travelers want impeccable guest experiences where they can tour a property before booking a stay.
AR/VR was already on the rise, but now they have become a part of the hospitality industry and are redefining the guest experience.
Through AR/VR pre-booking experiences, guests can get necessary information about hotel rooms, nearby attractions, rooms, amenities, etc. Thus, they’ll become more confident before booking a stay at your hotel.
Mobile ordering is making BIG WAVES in the hotel industry by allowing guests to order food or beverages in their room or common space.
Around 300 hotels and resorts in Asia, Europe, and Africa have adopted mobile ordering facilities to enhance guest experience.
As guests want everything at their fingertips, hoteliers have become technologically advanced by digitizing hotel services so they can place an order instantly.
Additionally, mobile ordering bridges the gap between staff and guests. It makes the ordering process more frictionless.
The user-friendly and easy-to-use mobile app makes it easier for guests to self-check-in/check-out.
They can skip the front desk staff and do the contactless check-in and check-out. This makes their booking journey more seamless.
You can find plenty of hotel marketing tools to ace your digital marketing game. These include cloudbeds, PrenoHQ, BOTSHOT, etc.
Investing in hotel marketing software is a game changer for you as you can get a competitive edge in the marketplace. By leveraging such marketing tools and techniques, you get an opportunity to reach and engage with the target audience.
Today, travelers have become tech-savvy and are active on various online platforms and channels.
They conduct their research online before booking a hotel stay. That’s where hoteliers need to create an online presence on those channels where guests spend countless hours.
Moreover, marketing software helps hoteliers to gain insights into customer preferences and then fine-tune their marketing efforts.
This way, they can compete with other hotels and see a spike in revenue.
