When it comes to digital marketing, it can sometimes be easy to neglect strategy for “local areas” amidst all the planning that goes into your bigger picture marketing efforts. We understand the importance of capturing this market for our clients. With over a decade of experience in the hospitality space, these are a few of the “Local SEO” digital marketing tactics we’ve found to be most critical for hotels and resorts.
Google My Business
There’s a reason this is first on the list. All hotels must ensure they have properly claimed their Google My Business listing in order to obtain as many users as possible. As Google places a heavier focus on mobile devices, claiming your hotel listing plays an even larger role. Oftentimes a business listing is the first organic result a user sees on their mobile device. If your hotel isn’t listed, say goodbye to hundreds, even thousands, of potential guests. It is imperative to keep your listings up-to-date as Google relies on these business listings to provide users with accurate local information; this can result in a coveted “local pack” organic listing.
With a map attached, local packs show the user exactly where your hotel is located and pays dividends when users are researching the surrounding area. Claiming your hotel listing will not automatically insert you in the local pack, but it is a giant leap forward in the process of capturing your local market.
Local Listings
Submitting your hotel to local directories is another important step on the winding staircase of Local SEO. It is crucial to have a consistent Name, Address and Phone Number (NAP) across the web. Any misspellings or errors will confuse Google and, let’s be honest, just give users the wrong impression of your business overall.
