As hotels pave their way to recovery, occupancy and profitability remain the priority. However, with guest behaviour and preferences going through a rapid shift, hotels need an efficient sales strategy to optimize revenue.
For years, hotels have been trying to increase direct sales. However, to boost direct bookings, hotels need to have a user-friendly website with a sound booking engine.
The first obstacle in the path though is how to find a good hotel booking system!
There are so many options out there and they have their own set of features. It makes picking one more challenging.
Direct sales strategy for room sales is one of the most preferred tactics in the hospitality industry. The goal of a direct sales strategy is to boost direct online bookings from as many guests as possible.
Direct bookings are a great option for hotel owners because these bookings generate the most revenue. There are no agents or other distribution partners that must be paid a percentage or commission. Every guest you host has booked directly online, so you can pocket all the profit.
However, for this strategy to work, it is important to have a user-friendly website that travelers can access. Users get driven away by a slow, confusing, or complicated website. Make sure your website is intuitive, mobile-friendly, and has clear action buttons such as ‘book now’ for potential guests to click.
If you are focused on direct bookings, your website must be a priority. Once you have your website running, you will need to invest in hospitality software that syncs your existing website and other channels. If you’re looking to buy a hotel booking system but are confused about which one to choose, follow these essential tips:
1) Focus on the user experience
Yes, you want to buy a hotel booking system that increases direct room booking from the brand website. But the solution can be much more than just that, with its unique features. One reason guests prefer to book from OTAs is the user experience. A good booking engine would be intuitive, easy-to-use, responsive and mobile-first. Make sure the booking system have the capability to feature special deals & promo codes when guests book directly with you.
2) Ask the right questions
Before choosing any hotel booking system, there are several questions that must be asked and answered. Such insights are necessary to help you make a fitting decision.
Will the solution connect with your hotel PMS? Can it handle multiple currency? Is it easy to use? Can the content be shown in multiple languages? Can it be integrated with your hotel channel manager so that inventory is always up to date? Can you offer different discounts?
These are some of the several questions you should ask before choosing a hotel booking system.
3) Ensure you have ongoing support
This is one of those things many hotel owners overlook, only to regret later. Some of the hotel booking systems can be challenging to use and getting used to. The more features they have, the more confusing they can get. Also, some of their interfaces may not be too appealing.
So, it’s a good idea to ensure you always have support from experts. Meaning, make sure the hotel booking system you plan to go with has a backend support team that extends their support so you can optimally use the system.
Final Words
- These are three essential tips you should consider while choosing the best hotel booking system.
- So, take your time, think things through, consider all the factors, and then make the right decision.
- Remember, the kind of hotel booking solution you use may define the growth of your business. So, be careful and very certain of your decision.