Hotel eCommerce refers to commercial transactions that are conducted electronically over the Internet. In the hotel industry, we typically talk about hotel booking engines rather than eCommerce, but if you sell your services online, it’s technically eCommerce.
NB: This is an article from Mews
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Typical eCommerce includes online travel agents and agencies, booking engines, metasearch engines, and other third-party sites selling hotel rooms. Most travelers book online nowadays and expect a secure and streamlined process. Are you meeting their needs?
8 effective hotel eCommerce strategies
Start by designing a website that supports smooth bookings. Keep the process as simple as possible, focus on making your website reputable and credible, and make it easy to reach customer support. An eCommerce that meets all these requirements is guaranteed to be successful.
Optimize your hotel eCommerce for online bookings
Optimizing hotel eCommerce for online bookings will drive more direct bookings. User experience on your hotel’s website should be as seamless as on the other online booking sites, OTAs, and metasearch engines. Otherwise, you risk losing guests. Your website should be easy to navigate, look good, and clearly show what you’re offering.
Pro tip: a prominent “book now” button supports an easy booking process. Give your visitors as many reasons as possible to book directly, such as the lowest available rate or a price-matching guarantee. Don’t forget to make your content available in different languages.
Don’t forget about mobile
Nowadays, mobile optimization is non-negotiable. Modern guests often book on the go, so be sure your website and booking engine are mobile-friendly. The functionalities should be the same as on the desktop version – just ensure content is easily readable by adjusting the layout to a mobile device.
Make customer support easy to reach
If you want to boost your direct bookings, make it easy for less tech-savvy audiences to get help if needed. Whether you integrate a chatbot to answer frequently asked questions or offer other ways of reaching your staff, online support is fundamental for a smooth booking process on your eCommerce.
Use SEO techniques
Search engine optimization is just as important as Google ads or advertising on social media channels. Websites optimized for search engines rank higher and drive more direct bookings. Creating content with the right keywords will boost your hotel’s eCommerce and online visibility.
One technique that can help with SEO while improving the user experience of your hotel’s eCommerce is adding a FAQ section. It helps potential guests find all the information needed to complete the booking.
