As they say, “Everything is on Google!”. We are dependent on the search engine for everything. In fact, Google has become an indispensable part of businesses and more. Google My Business has emerged as a new tool that provides tools and presence for all businesses. In fact, it has emerged as an important tool for hotels as well. In order to optimize Google Business for hotels, we need to follow certain steps.
About Google My Business For Hotels
Google My Business is a business tool introduced by Google. It helps businesses create a business listing and helps them connects to their customers efficiently. Google My Business, popularly known as GMB offers various features such as customizable themes, metasearch, hotel attributes, contact details, Q & As and so on. It has been providing various facilities to the hospitality industry for online presence.
In fact, many hotels are gaining business after joining google business. There are various factors one needs to consider while optimizing google business. Some of the important factors are as follows:
Interaction Level Of Your Listing
User Generated Content Such As Reviews and Ratings
SEO Optimization
Regular Updates On Profiles
All these factors are important in determining and optimizing Google Business for hotels. With the help of Metasearch, you can also display rates from various OTAs in one place. It also has a useful feature known as Hotel Attributes, which helps hotel businesses list all their amenities in a detailed manner. You can update attributes category vice as well.
Adding Your Hotel To Google My Business
Before we discuss how to optimize Google Business for hotels, we need to first understand how to add your hotel to the GMB listing. You can easily do so by following these simple steps:
Step 1: Search for ‘Google My Business” On Google Search. Then click on the ‘Create’ Link
Step 2: Enter your business name, you may find your listing already. If you do, then simply claim it. If not, then you will need to create a new one.
Step 3: If you are creating a new business, then you have to enter the name of the business, and the address, and accurately place the location pin on the map.
Step 4: Give a contact number that is 24*7 available. Update your website details as well. If you don't have a website, then GMB creates one for you.
Step 5: Select the appropriate working hours
Step 6: Enable the “Accept messages” feature. It will help you directly connect with the guests
Step 7: Use high-quality photographs on your GMB profile, you can upload up to 12 images on your Google My Business Profile
Step 8: Submit all your details and your business is listed. After that, you will be redirected to the GMB Dashboard.
By following these simple steps, you can set up a Google My Business Profile easily.
Ways To Optimize Google My Business For Hotels
Now that we have understood the importance of Google My Business for hotels, let us now understand how we can optimize it to enhance our property’s online presence. We have listed some of the ways by which it can be achieved.
1. Provide Correct Information
In order to get customers and build a trustful relationship with them, you need to provide accurate information to the guests. Any incorrect information can ruin your business because you can end up losing trust.
Especially for hotels, incorrect information can cause a loss in bookings, disappointed guests and negative feedback. To prevent this, you need to provide accurate details to optimize your Google my Business listing.
2. Provide Accurate Location
The last thing you want is for your guest to try to find your hotel and is unable to. A one-star review is guaranteed. You will annoy the guests if they are not able to find your location easily. That’s your hotels need to provide an accurate address to optimize their Google My Business listing.
Ensure that your address, from the street name to the locality, suburb and city is provided. Also, provide distinct landmarks that will make it easier for the guests to search your property.
3. Integrate Hotel Website
Your hotel website is the heart and soul of your business. You need to integrate it to offer more information to your guests about your property. It also helps in establishing a unique identity amongst the customers. You can also integrate a booking engine into your hotel website.
4. Q & A Section - Trumpcard
Hotels don’t focus too much on the Q&A section, but it is not a minor feature. This section helps in clarifying the various unanswered questions of guests. For example, a guest wants vegan food. They type a query on your hotel GMB listing asking whether or not there is vegan food.
You ignore this section, and some other hotel answers this question. You not only lose potential guests but also several other guests who are looking for that option.
5. Reviews, Reviews and Reviews
Hotels should focus on reviews - getting them are replying to them. Not only directly on Google My Business, now guests can click on any OTA on your Metasearch and see your ratings as well. Bad reviews can lead to a loss of bookings while great reviews improve your business ranking.
6. Use Analytics
Google My Business provides weekly, monthly and annual analytics. These analytics contains various data metrics that are essential for businesses. You can use them to improve your business.
By following these steps, you can optimize your Google My Business for hotels. Read our blogs to know more about the various concepts, trends and challenges of the hospitality industry.