If you are in the travel and hospitality business, you are probably gearing up for the summer ahead. Figures have shown that hotel bookings have surged to the highest levels in years in 2021, as US travelers gear up for a summer season like never before. While there is no shortage of business for hotels, it is important to note that the gains to the industry will not be spread equally.
With these trends in the hotel industry, only the most engaged and marketable hotels will receive the most bookings. Meanwhile, hotels that are difficult to find will be left out. That’s why hotel SEO matters. Read on to find out the essential hotel SEO tips that will put your venue on the map.
1. Keyword Research is Key
When considering “what is SEO?”, the main thing to remember is that it is the practice of ensuring that your business website appears at the top of Google search results. It is a way of making yourself as visible as possible to your target audience. The main way to do this is with the right keywords.
These are the search terms that customers are likely to use when searching for services such as yours online. Conduct thorough keyword research to find out what your potential hotel guests are looking for from their next vacation and ensure these keywords appear on your site.
2. Hire an Expert Hotel SEO Service
The hotel industry is immensely competitive, which is why it is important to consult the industry experts that can put your place of business on the digital map. An expert hotel SEO agency such as The HOTH can share years of travel industry experience to provide you with the actionable steps you need to take to stand out from the competition. Investing in SEO services will help you get ahead.
3. Provide Quality Content
Google punishes websites that indulge in “keyword stuffing”. Rather than just throwing as many keywords into your site as possible, you should be focused on providing detailed, quality, and useful content for readers. Start a blog page where you can let readers know your hot tips for experiencing the local area. Publish news articles about your hotel’s newest offerings. This will provide extra value for site visitors and boost your SEO ranking.
4. Collaborate and Get Those Backlinks!
When it comes to SEO, you can hardly go it alone. It is important that your site appears on the pages of other, more authoritative sites, such as travel review platforms and magazines. Reach out to other sites to see if you can arrange some guest posting or a review. It is crucial to have “backlinks” threading back to your site across the internet. This lets Google know that your website is worth visiting.
5. Local Search is Everything
In the travel industry, local SEO is probably more important than any other aspect of web marketing. Local SEO describes how users in your area (or who are visiting your area) are likely to stumble across your website.
You need local keywords such as “best hotel in XXX” to help flag up your site in your geographic area. Make sure you have a Google My Business page and that there are reviews of your hotel on TripAdvisor and Yelp. One effective way to gain quality reviews using these platforms is learning the proper guide to Yelp and
More Travel Industry Insights at Your Fingertips
Understanding the ins and outs of hotel SEO can ensure that you make the most out of the upcoming summer travel season. For more travel industry insights to boost your business, you have come to the right place.
In our dedicated Travel section, you will find expertly curated guides to travel industry success. Check it out today.