Reputation Management: How to Protect Your Hotel Brand Online
It’s no secret that hotel guests are more likely to book a stay through their smartphone than through the front desk. Considering this, it’s important for hotels to manage their online reputation and make sure their guests have a positive experience when they’re checking in and leaving.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the basics of reputation management, including how to create positive online reviews, secure your social media presence, and keep your website clean. By following these tips, you can ensure that your hotel brand stays top-of-mind as guests search for accommodations online.
What is online reputation management?
Online reputation management (ORM) is the practice of managing a company’s online reputation through strategic communication and engagement activities. ORM can be broken down into four main categories: brand strategy, public relations, online marketing, and content management.
The brand strategy focuses on developing a plan that establishes the company’s positioning, values, and goals in the marketplace. Public relations efforts aim to improve the relationship between the company and its customers, stakeholders, and the media. Online marketing activities focus on increasing website traffic and conversion rates through effective web marketing tactics such as search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC), and email marketing. Content management encompasses all aspects of creating, editing, publishing, and managing web content.
To effectively manage your hotel brand online, it is important to understand your target audience, what they want from you online, and how you can provide it. Your target audience will vary based on your location and market segment, but some key elements that are common to all hotels are quality service, comfortable accommodations, and attractive surroundings. You can provide these elements by focusing on your website’s content, design layout, customer service policies/ procedures, and social media presence.
Why is it important for your hotel brand?
There are many reasons why protecting your hotel brand online is important. Here are a few:
- Your hotel can be damaged by negative reviews on websites like TripAdvisor, booking.com and Expedia. Damage to your brand can lead to lost business and decreased revenue.
- Negative online reviews can decrease the number of people who choose to stay at your hotel, which can also lead to lost revenue.
- Damage to your reputation can also lead other businesses to avoid doing business with you in the future, which could have a negative impact on your bottom line.
Online Reputation Management Plan for your Hotel Business
As a hotel/resort owner, you want to protect your hotel brand online. One way to do this is to create an online reputation management plan.
The following are ten steps to help create an effective online reputation management plan for your hotel business:
- Create a strategy: What do you want to achieve with your online reputation management plan? Determine the objectives of your plan and what steps you will need to take to achieve them.
- Track and evaluate progress: How are your online reputation performing? Track the results of your efforts through regular reviews and updates. This information will help you identify areas where you need to focus your efforts in order to make progress.
- Respond quickly and effectively to negative feedback: When something goes wrong with your hotel brand online, respond quickly and effectively. This will show that you care about your reputation and are willing to act when necessary.
- Always be prepared for surprises: Things can happen that you don’t expect, which can lead to negative publicity for your hotel brand online. Be prepared for potential surprises and be able to address them quickly and effectively.
- Keep up the momentum: Keep your online reputation management plan up-to-date and continue to take action to improve your hotel brand’s online reputation. This will show that you are committed to making progress and ensuring that your business is represented positively online.
- Secure your social media presence: It is important to have a social media strategy for your hotel business. Make sure that your social media profiles are secure and that you are using the right tools to help promote your brand online. Start by developing a quality online presence for your hotel.
- Monitor online reviews: Monitor online reviews of your hotel business and take appropriate actions when necessary. This will help you ensure that your online reputation is positive and consistent.
- Keep your website clean: Keep your website clean and professional. This will help ensure that your hotel business is represented in a positive light online. Make sure all of your website content is accurate and up-to-date, and that you have an effective marketing strategy in place.
- Make use of search engine optimization (SEO): Make sure that your website is properly optimized for search engines. This will help ensure that your hotel business is found when people are looking for information about it.
- Manage expectations: It is important to keep expectations realistic when it comes to your online reputation management plan. Do not expect to achieve overnight success with this strategy. Rather, make gradual progress and be patient as you work towards your objectives.
Conclusion
Hotel branding can be a powerful tool for businesses, but if it’s not managed correctly, a tarnished reputation can quickly follow. In this blog, we’ve outlined the steps you can take to protect your hotel brand online and help you keep your guests happy.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to avoid negative reviews and maintain a positive reputation for your business.
At Renom Hospitality Solutions, Our ORM team validates all the feedback from guests be it Positive or Negative reviews and responds appropriately, presenting a positive image of the hotel in the minds of clients.
Not only that, but our team also makes certain that your reputation management is always of the highest quality, likely to result in more bookings.
This entire procedure will improve guest satisfaction, earn better reviews, and attract more travelers, ensuring your hotel’s long-term success.
Contact us today to find out more about our ORM services!
