The hospitality industry is more competitive than ever before. Hotels are forced to target the same travelers, and the lingering effects of the pandemic continue to create waves for hotel owners and managers. The single most important thing to do is to boost your visibility – you need to be seen by potential guests. How do you do that, though?
The first step is to make sure that you’re using the tools available to you. One that should certainly be in your toolbox is TripAdvisor. It’s the largest and most frequently used travel website in the world, and it offers a range of tools that can help you boost visibility and lock in more reservations.
What should you know about these features and how can TripAdvisor help you run a successful, profitable hotel business? We’ll highlight three of the most important features that TripAdvisor offers to help you connect the dots and see the bigger picture.
What Does TripAdvisor Do?
Before we go too far, let’s start with an introduction to what TripAdvisor does. It’s really right there in the name. This company positions itself as a guide or advisor for travelers with questions. It’s far more than just a way to find hotel rooms! Visitors to the website can browse through accommodation providers, sure, but they can also get the lowdown on things to do in the areas where they’ll be traveling, learn more about local restaurants, and interact in travel forums.
All that adds up to just one thing – TripAdvisor is one of the most influential sites in the hospitality sector. Here are some interesting statistics to drive that point home even further:
- TripAdvisor has 490 million unique monthly users.
- The website hosts over 700 million hotel reviews.
- TripAdvisor lists over 7 million distinct locations.
- The company rates as the #1 travel website in the US.
As you can see, this is a potent tool to help you build a thriving hotel business. However, to really make use of it, you’ll need to know more about the features it offers. Below, we’ll cover three of the most important – Review Express, TripConnect CPC, and Instant Booking.
Review Express
Review Express is TripAdvisor’s tool for generating more reviews, boosting credibility, and enhancing visibility. It’s also a must-have if you want to unlock the company’s reputation management tools. Why does it matter, though?
Here’s the thing – over 50% of travelers will not book a hotel room until they’ve read reviews, and that number is climbing. Traveler reviews provide important social proof and tell others what they can expect at your property. They’re invaluable, but they are also dangerous.
Negative reviews can have a lasting effect on your reputation, but by unlocking the reputation management tools on offer, you can interact with dissatisfied guests, learn what went wrong, and find a way to rectify the situation. In some cases, you may even be able to get the guest to remove their review or change it to a positive one.
Review Express also allows you to take a proactive stance toward generating reviews. You can reach out to your guests through customized emails and encourage them to leave a review. That boosts visibility through TripAdvisor, as well as building a stronger reputation (hotels with more reviews are generally seen as more reputable).
Instant Booking
Want to really accelerate your success? You need to lock in reservations as soon as possible. One key way to do that is with TripAdvisor’s Instant Booking tool. According to the company, “Instant Booking gives travelers all the information they need to book with you immediately on TripAdvisor”.
Instant Booking allows you to share live rates and availability with potential guests right on the TripAdvisor site. Travelers can then click on the “Book on TripAdvisor” link and book their stay with your property right then and there, with no waiting and no hassles. All the bookings generated here are sent directly to you so you’re always in the know.
TripConnect CPC
TripConnect CPC offers you the chance to compete with other hotels for direct bookings. It’s a great way to drive guests who are ready to book right to your website’s booking page. There is no commission, either – just the cost per click.
You can think of CPC as being similar to Google Ads. They’re positioned prominently on the TripAdvisor website with your hotel’s name, the featured rate, and a bold button that encourages users to click through to your website and book their stay. It’s a great way to boost your visibility and ensure that guests are taken directly to your website (and straight to the booking page).
The Bottom Line on TripAdvisor
As you can see, TripAdvisor offers important tools that can be used to boost your visibility and enhance your bottom line. Yes, it does come at a cost, but that’s a minimal investment for the opportunity to get your hotel’s name in front of millions of potential guests every single month. Plus, these tools are far more cost-effective and yield more “bang for your buck” than you will see from most other marketing methods, including PPC ads and social media ads.
The bottom line? TripAdvisor is a must-have for any hotel interested in boosting visibility and profitability. The three tools we’ve discussed are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg here, too. There are many other benefits to getting your property listed.
How Does Hotelogix Work with TripAdvisor?
At Hotelogix, we understand the importance of visibility in the hotel industry. We also know how important it is to use every advantage at your disposal to boost revenue in addition to visibility. That’s why we designed our system to support Review Express, Cost Per Click, and Instant Booking. It’s never been simpler to put modern tools to work on your behalf.
Hotelogix offers a suite of tools that allow you to manage your property, streamline operations, and deliver a modern check-in/out process for your guests. We offer a full-featured hotel PMS and POS system built in the cloud to deliver mobile-friendly solutions that your guests and staff members deserve.
Interested in learning more about how Hotelogix can help you build a thriving hotel business? Claim your free trial today and test out our system in your property risk-free. You can also schedule a demo with one of our representatives and learn more about our features and how they support your success.