In the highly competitive accommodation and hospitality industry, maintaining an up-to-date Google My Business (GMB) listing can make a significant difference. It is a powerful tool for hoteliers and restaurateurs to enhance their online presence, attract more guests and bookings, and improve their overall business performance.
With customers increasingly relying on search engines to find, compare, and book their stays and dining experiences, having current information on your GMB profile can improve your visibility, credibility and booking conversions.
An updated GMB listing allows you to showcase your accommodation or hospitality business’ latest features, available amenities and special offers. By posting high-quality photos and updates regularly, you can create an attractive first impression that draws potential guests to your listing. You can even create virtual tours to showcase your property, offering a more immersive experience. Having accurate and appealing information encourages users to click through to your website, increasing the likelihood of booking and conversions.
One of the primary ways potential customers and guests discover your business is through local search. Whether someone is looking for a nearby hotel or searching for “best places to eat near me”, Google favours local businesses with accurate and updated information.
Keeping your GMB details - such as your address, phone number and website - consistent across online platforms is vital for local SEO. Search engines prefer accurate information, and by ensuring your listing is regularly updated, you not only enhance your position in search results but also increase your chances of being discovered by local travellers.
New reviews and testimonials play a crucial role in attracting guests and new customers. An up-to-date GMB listing with fresh, positive reviews can drive more guests to your business and give you an edge over competitors. Regularly engaging with feedback - thanking guests for positive comments and addressing any concerns - helps demonstrate excellent customer service. This engagement boosts your credibility and shows potential customers that you care about their experience.
GMB allows you to create posts that show up directly on your listing, giving you the opportunity to update visitors about special offers, promotions or seasonal events. This is a very useful tool for the accommodation and hospitality industry, where special deals or last-minute availability can drive bookings.
Incorporate clear call-to-actions (CTAs) in your posts to encourage specific actions, such as visiting your website, making a booking or calling your business. The proper use of effective CTAs can drive conversions and help achieve your business goals.
Google My Business seamlessly integrates with other Google services creating a comprehensive ecosystem benefiting the accommodation and hospitality businesses. When potential guests search for accommodation, hotels or vacation rentals in a specific area, businesses with an updated GMB profile are featured prominently on Google Maps. This can also assist guests with easily finding direction to your property with a single click, the photos and reviews displayed can help guests make informed decision.
Google Hotel Ads is a specialised advertising platform to promote hotels and accommodations in Google search results. Once connected, your property’s rates and availability are displayed alongside your GMB listing, often appearing directly in the search results.
Google Hotel Ads also shows live prices from other booking platforms, allowing users to compare options without leaving the search page, with an opportunity for the businesses to promote their direct booking pricing. Guests can book directly through the links provided which simplifies the reservation process.
In conclusion, maintaining an up-to-date Google My Business listing is essential for any accommodation or hospitality business to thrive in a competitive, digital-first marketplace. From improving visibility in local search results to building trust with potential guests through reviews and photos, your GMB profile is your online storefront.
Taking the time to regularly update your GMB listing is a small investment of time that can yield significant results in terms of guest satisfaction, credibility and bookings.
Get in touch with Fastrack Digital team and find out how we can enhance your GMB listing for boosting your accommodation and hospitality success.
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