6 Tips to Transform your Online Presence
In today’s increasingly digital world, a strong online presence is no longer optional—it’s essential. At Newbook, we’re passionate about informing and inspiring our industry to consistently level up! So, together, let’s explore six digital touchpoints you switch on or enhance to transform your online presence.
1. Claim Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile serves as your digital storefront. By claiming and optimizing this free tool, you ensure potential guests can find you easily on Google Search and Maps. This boosts credibility, improves local Search Engine Optimization rankings (AKA pop-up on maps when someone searches ‘Holiday Parks in Branson’ for example), and provides a platform for guest reviews and photos that build social proof. A complete and visually appealing profile often tips the scales in your favour when guests are weighing their options!
If you’ve already claimed your listing, when was the last time you reviewed it and added new images and posts, responded to reviews, or updated your business information?
2. Leverage Online Travel Agents (OTAs)
OTAs like Booking.com are powerful tools for reaching new audiences and increasing brand consideration. There are a wealth of different channels you can explore and sync with your property management system to ensure a seamless booking management process.
But have you ever heard of the billboard effect? A study showed that 75% of shoppers visited the property’s direct website after finding them on an OTA! This is the perfect opportunity for you to expand your online reach and provide a hook to get users to book with you directly. Think of OTAs as a marketing investment; they are risk-free strategies you can turn on and off.
3. Optimize Your Website
Your website should be the go-to resource for information about your property and, more importantly, for driving bookings 24/7. When was the last time you removed old information or updated it with a new amenity? And is it mobile-friendly? 60% of all Google searches are now performed on a mobile device, so it’s more important than ever before.
4. Enhance the Online Booking Experience
Your booking engine is more than a tool—it’s an opportunity to sell an experience. Offer flexible payment plans, highlight upsells like activities or packages, and invest in professional, modern imagery. Descriptive listings that “sell the stay” resonate with guests, and make sure your buttons are easy to follow to reduce friction in the booking process.
5. Capture Feedback and Respond to Reviews
Reputation matters, and reviews are vital to maintaining it. Are you surveying guests while they’re in-house? This is a great initiative to capture any negative experiences before they end up online! We recommend automating an SMS to your guests, say, 4 hours after check-in, asking them to review their stay from 1-10. If they provide a low rating, your Property Management System can trigger a task for your team to check in with the guest and rectify the issue immediately.
Post-check out surveys are fantastic for gathering more detailed feedback and make sure you’re actively monitoring and responding to reviews online!
6. Measure, Adapt, and Grow
The final piece of the puzzle is analytics. Leverage tools like Google Analytics to monitor key metrics such as conversion rates, booking sources, and campaign performance. These insights can help you make data-driven decisions by refining your strategy to focus on channels that yield a high ROI.
By implementing these 6 strategies, you’re not just enhancing your online presence—you’re creating a better experience for your guests while driving measurable results for your business.
For more tips and tricks on how to transform your online presence, click here to reach out to Newbook’s friendly support team.