10 Ways to increase bookings at your property
Low interest in accommodation after the season, gaps in the reservation system in the middle of summer – sound familiar? We’ll show you how to attract tourists and stop worrying about your finances. We’ve prepared 10 ways to increase the number of overnight bookings. Check which ones you haven’t implemented yet and… change that!
Ways to increase the number of bookings at your accommodation facility
1. Be on multiple accommodation listing portals at once
To increase the number of bookings at your property, you need to reach as many potential customers as possible. As research shows, they most often search for accommodation offers on OTAs. This acronym stands for Online Travel Agencies, which are booking platforms that gather offers from various hotels, guesthouses, or private lodgings in one place. Customers can easily compare prices and amenities of individual properties, and the booking process is fast and usually intuitive. The most popular accommodation portals in Poland include Booking, Airbnb, Tripadvisor, Noclegowo, and Trivabook. Of course, in most cases, as a property owner, you have to account for a commission for each booking made through an OTA, but it’s still a proven way to attract customers to your hotel or guesthouse. As an interesting side note, many people search for accommodation on OTAs and then… decide to book directly with the property. This brings us to our second point – setting up your property’s own website.
2. Make yourself discoverable – property website
Many people think that having your own website is an unnecessary expense and a waste of time. It’s not. A website increases your credibility with customers and is a proven way to promote accommodation without intermediaries and the commissions they charge. However, for your property’s website to fulfill its purpose, it must be properly designed. The greatest focus is on the homepage, which should be clear, intuitive, and have standout CTA (Call to Action) buttons that redirect the client to the booking form. Pay attention to how quickly the site loads and whether it is optimized for mobile devices – most users make reservations on such devices. More and more properties can boast their own website that includes a chatbot to answer customers most common questions. This is a big convenience for them and for you, especially if you can’t always respond to emails or phone calls promptly. A website is also a great space for SEO – implementing actions aimed at placing your property high in Google search results. This includes running a blog and creating valuable content in which you incorporate keywords.
3. Offer various booking methods
One person from BedBooking loves relaxing by the sea, while another breaks out in hives at the very sound of the word “beach.” The conclusion? We’re all different. And so are your clients. One prefers to book accommodation by phone, another via email, and a third has been using a classic online form for years. To cater to the preferences of different clients, you need to offer them a choice of booking methods. Contact details (phone and email) should be visible on the website and in the descriptions of your property on OTA platforms. Also, provide a clear and short booking form on your website – if needed, you can break it into stages. Make sure the price for the stay is visible from the very beginning of the reservation process – none of us like surprises.Okay, but how do you manage the booking calendar across various OTAs and your own website? Try BedBooking – an app for managing reservations and front desk operations in one. With it, you can ensure a quick response to potential clients, which, as we know, is often crucial – especially for last-minute bookings.
One more note about the calendar and availability of accommodation. If you want to increase the number of bookings, ensure that clients can also view the long-term version of the calendar. Some people plan their trips well in advance, even several months ahead. Meanwhile, regular holiday clients may want to book accommodation right after the season ends – that is, a year in advance. It’s worth keeping this in mind and meeting their expectations.
4. Gaps in your booking calendar? Create last-minute offers
Discount, rebate, and promotion are some of the words that effectively attract customers. Who doesn’t like paying less for the same service? All types of promotional campaigns are a proven way to attract tourists, but you need to plan them carefully so as not to incur a loss. Lowering the price for accommodation is a good solution if you have gaps in your booking calendar. Prepare an attractive last-minute offer – both sides will benefit. Don’t forget to inform your social media followers about the promotion and update the information on all booking platforms.
5. Take care of returning customers
Most of us like what’s familiar. So why not use the same accommodation again when you’re in the area? Every customer who has stayed with you at least once is a valuable asset. How to promote rental accommodation in this case? Encourage them to leave a review of your property on your website and OTA platforms or to recommend it to friends, in exchange for a discount or a free treat during their next stay. Remind them about your offer by sending a newsletter with a personalized special offer for the holidays or a long weekend. Keep them informed about discounts, new amenities at the property, and attractions in the area.
6. Check what others are saying about You
What do you consider when buying a new vacuum cleaner? Surely not just the device’s specifications and price. Customer reviews are worth their weight in gold. Positive ones serve as free advertising for your property. Regularly check what people are writing about your accommodation and respond to the comments. A simple thank you for a positive review is a sign of your engagement and willingness to build a relationship with the client. Did someone leave a negative comment? Don’t worry, these happen too – and it’s also worth responding. Instead of using canned responses, ask the customer what you can do to offer them a stay that meets their expectations. Was there a misunderstanding? Politely explain the situation from your point of view. Reviews about your property can also appear elsewhere online, such as on travel blogs. It’s a good idea to set up Google Alerts so that you receive email notifications whenever someone mentions your services online.
7. Promote your accommodation online
Whether you run a hotel, guesthouse, or rent out private lodgings, you need to promote your property. Today, the best tool for that is social media. Create an account for your property and actively manage the profile by engaging with users. Respond to comments, share posts from customers about their stay at your place, and regularly publish your own posts. You can also try paid accommodation advertisements such as Google Ads, Facebook ads, or Instagram promotions.Social media is also a place where you can directly link to your booking form or even integrate your booking system with Facebook.
8. Act locally
Accommodation advertising can also take a local form. This includes signs at train stations, airports, or near tourist information centers – places where tourists looking for accommodation might find you. What about partnering with local entrepreneurs? Mutual recommendations are a time-tested system. Build a business relationship with a restaurant frequented by tourists, a souvenir shop, or a taxi driver – together you can promote each other’s services.
9. Stand out from the competition
Local efforts should also include competitor analysis. Check their pricing, special offers, and amenities. Find out what makes you stand out and boldly take advantage of it. Remember to write an attractive description of your property on your website and OTA platforms. Describe the location clearly, including distances to nearby landmarks, shops, venues, and attractions. List the amenities at the property – both general and those specific to individual rooms.Explain the benefits of staying at your property – for example, a fenced and safe playground allows parents to relax. And most importantly – photos! If you have several rooms, show each one individually. Many people like to use a virtual tour option, and 360-degree photos will also help you avoid recurring questions about how many chairs are in the room, what’s included in the kitchen, or how large the bathroom is.
10. High standard of service
How to increase the number of bookings? Take care of the quality of the services you offer. An up-to-date price list on the website, professional language both online and during the booking process, quick responses to customer inquiries, easy communication during guests’ stay, help in finding directions to a specific attraction, clean rooms – these are just a few factors that influence how clients perceive you. Even paid advertising won’t help if your property needs renovation. Also, remember not to exaggerate in your offer descriptions – sooner or later, the truth will come out, and it’s hard to rebuild lost trust and reputation.
