Feeling overwhelmed with the challenges of managing your hotel's reputation on Google Business Profile, formerly known as Google My Business (GMB)?
Google Business Profile can have a profound impact on your hotel’s success.
This blog has answered your queries so you can understand the potential of Google Business Profile for hotels.
Scroll till the end to discover how Keen, INNsight’s Reputation Management Software & Service, can empower your hotel to not just survive but thrive on Google Business Profile, giving you a sense of control and empowerment in your online reputation management.
Ever Googled something weird and wondered, "How does Google seem to read your mind?"
Like, one second you’re thinking about where to crash during your next vacation, and the next, bam!
Google's showing you this cool hotel with fantastic reviews. It's almost like your phone has a direct line to your thoughts!
Well, there’s no magic wand here, but there is something super cool called Google Business Profile for Hotels.
This awesome tool is like a magic wand for hotel owners, helping them showcase their properties to travelers searching for the ideal stay.
Every day, travelers are tapping away on their phones, searching for their next home away from home. And you want to be right there, popping up on their screens, tempting them with your unique offerings.
That's where Google Business Profile comes in to save the day. It's like having your own digital billboard, showcasing everything that makes your hotel extraordinary — whether it's your stunning views, top-notch amenities, unbeatable breakfast spread, or 5-star reviews.
Now that you know what Google Business Profile is, let's explore why it's a must-have for hotels.
Over the years, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) such as Booking.com, Expedia, and TripAdvisor have dominated the digital marketplace.
However, Google Business Profile is gradually disrupting this trend and making the competition more fair.
Every month, Google directs hundreds of millions of website visits and phone calls to hotels worldwide. It's a huge opportunity for a hotelier that they surely can’t miss.
These are key points you must pay attention to, and they underscore why Google Business Profile is essential for hotels.
When guests are looking for hotels to stay in a particular area, they must go through many websites. But, if you have a Google Business Profile, you can prominently appear in the search results, kind of like a special VIP appearance.
This makes it super easy for those looking for a place to stay in that area.
This works even better when the guest is trying to locate hotels using Google Maps.
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LOCAL PACK DISPLAY This is a box where Google shows a map with the top three hotel listings. If your hotel has a well-optimized Google Business Profile, then there is a high chance it will appear in the Local Pack Display. With this, your potential guests will see your business and most likely engage with you. |
Google Business Profile also lets you integrate with Google Maps. This helps your guests easily find your hotel by clicking the “directions” button!
A well-maintained GBP increases your hotel's chances of appearing in the coveted "Hotel Pack" on Google Maps for relevant searches. It also lets you show important information on Google Maps itself. Your potential guests can obtain every important information about your hotel without leaving Google Maps.
It also shows other similar hotels in the area. This gives you the opportunity to do better and stand out from the competition. Show your potential customers why they should choose you over other options in the same area.
First impressions are essential! Ensure you post good quality media of all the key areas of your hotel, including the lobby, dining, spa, pool, guest rooms, or any other amenity or facility you provide.
Emphasize the importance of positive reviews (91% of people read Google Business Profile reviews before contacting a local business).
Ask your guests to share images, too. This user-generated media content will help capture guest attention more effectively.
Provide virtual tours of your hotels. This is appealing to potential guests who are comparing options and want to get a total sense of what staying at your hotel would be like.
In the cutthroat competition today, the old saying stands true—
“What is shown, sells."
Around 51% of Google Business Profiles receive more than 1,000 monthly views. That's a significant number of eyes on your property!
Make the most of this opportunity by always having a good camera in your hand and capturing the cozy corners and your spacious lobby.
You can highlight premium amenities, services, or USP on their GBP. You can use keywords like “rooftop bar,” “family room,” “swimming pool,” “spa and wellness,” etc., in your content. So, when a potential guest searches for this, your hotel will appear in the search result.
Ensure you are listing the correct categories, such as boutique hotels, apartments, etc. This helps with specific search queries.
You can also mention accessibility features such as wheelchair accessibility, accessible rooms, etc. This also shows that your approach is inclusive and that you care for all guests!
These profiles not only let you showcase your information to the guests but also let you talk to them through reviews and messaging. This way, your guests can also obtain additional information that is not available on your profile.
A whopping 91% of people read Google Business Profile reviews before even contacting a local business.
That's right. Nearly everyone checks out what others have to say before making a decision.
Sounds like a big deal, right? Well, it is.
Positive reviews serve as your advocate for good experiences, attracting guests to your establishment, while negative feedback can pose challenges, potentially deterring them.
65% of Google users will likely leave a review after a positive experience. That's a significant opportunity to boost your online reputation.
Remember to consider the significance of your business's online reputation. Through reviews, potential guests gauge the quality of your services.
Rest assured, at Keen Reputation Management, our focus is on enhancing your online reputation.
Keen is your all-in-one solution for effortless hotel review response management. We provide user-friendly tools, insightful feedback, and advanced analytics to enhance guests' experience and drive your business forward.
This feature helps potential guests communicate with hotels quickly. It is available on the knowledge panel. Guests do not need to navigate through your website to find detailed information—it is just a tap away!
This quick and direct response feature helps hoteliers increase their chances of securing bookings.
We believe that when it comes to profits, sharing isn't always caring.
So why do hoteliers rely on OTAs for bookings when a powerful, free tool like Google Business Profile can handle it all?
Google lets you integrate direct booking options on your GBP. This ensures quick and hassle-free booking. You can also showcase your property rates on various OTA (Online Travel Agents). This will help them compare rates.
Follow these simple steps to connect booking links to your profile:
That's it!
When a hotel business creates a Google Business Profile, Google verifies the business's authenticity. Its contact information, address, and opening hours are all verified by Google. This enhances business credibility.
The availability of basic information helps guests comprehend business details easily. Guests can also read reviews, increasing trust among potential customers. If you receive positive reviews, it's the cherry on top.
It tells other potential customers that your business is a great service provider and meets their expectations.
Responding promptly and professionally to reviews, both positive and negative, demonstrates your attentiveness to guest feedback and can enhance your hotel guest engagement.
Here is how GBP helps your hotel build brand authority-
A well-maintained and optimized GBP helps rank higher on the GBP. This puts your hotel directly in front of your potential customers.
Google Business Profile provides hotels with helpful insights and analytics. Analytics are essential to create a marketing plan. It helps you understand what is working and what is not. Here is how analytics can aid your business.
High-quality visual content helps in attracting more guests, as discussed before. You can share your unique selling points with videos, images, virtual tours, etc. It lets potential customers quickly see what they can expect at your hotel during their stay.
If your online reputation management is apt, then the reviews section will act as free advertising for you! Integrating booking directly from the profile also fastens the booking process and secures bookings.
Last but not least, GBP gives visibility and engagement analytics known as Impressions. It helps you understand how many people have visited your profile, what actions have been taken, how many people have made bookings, and what actions they have taken.
You can use these analytics and compare them with those of your competitors. Check what amenities they have listed and the quality and quantity of their media and attributes. Check where you are lacking and how you can improve.
A well-optimized profile with correct keywords and complete information stands out in the marketplace. It helps in local SEO optimization. It improves your visibility in local searches such as “hotels near me” or “hotels in a particular area.”
Your hotel’s name, address, and contact details should be the same across all of your online presence and GBP. This helps Google verify your business easily. Verified profiles secure higher chances of ranking in local searches.
Actively posting updates about offers, promotions, etc. keeps your profile active and engaging. It dramatically boosts your visibility in local searches.
As said before, high-quality media plays a crucial role in attracting guests. This improves local SEO on a great level. Engagement levels play a part in search rankings.
GBP integration with Google Maps is an additional benefit for local SEO. It also lets your hotel appear properly on Google Maps. Customers looking for hotels on Google Maps can easily spot your property!
Google predominantly uses mobile content for indexing and ranking. A well-optimized Google profile improves a hotel’s visibility on search results on mobile phones.
Imagine going on a trip and booking a hotel on the spot. Mobile-optimized Google business profiles help with searches like “hotels in my area” or “hotels near me” made on mobile phones.
GBP showcases property contact details also. Mobile users can directly call the hotels with just a tap.
Despite the competition, Google Business Profile listings are powerful. They direct customers to your business. Optimizing and promoting your hotel listing can show unique selling points (USPs). It can also emphasize business strengths. This will get equal visibility and make you stand out.
It's all about making the perfect optimization to ensure your hotel business shines brightly.
Don't just take our word for it—see the results yourself!
Find us on Google or hit the link to get your hotel listed on Google Business Profile and start reaping the rewards today!
Author
Raj Patel
CEO & Founder
Raj Patel, the driving force at INNsight, is changing the game for hotels with his real-world expertise in software and digital marketing. Drawing on his Silicon Valley experience at eBay, Raj keeps things practical. Think of practical tools that work, making hotels shine online and turning digital success for every hotel. Jump on board the INNsight journey, where Raj's hands-on approach brings a touch of reality to revolutionizing the hospitality scene.
Follow him on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/rajbpatel
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