Receiving direct bookings means creating a direct relationship with your customer. Getting this relationship off to a good start will definitely increase your chances of getting good reviews and hopefully gain you a loyal customer for years to come.
But how can we get more direct bookings, when the trend is for the majority of travelers to head directly to the largest OTAs? Let’s look at some simple improvements you can start making right away.
1. Have an easy-to-understand website
When people come to your website, they want it to be understandable and easy to navigate. Make sure to provide your customers with useful information about your accommodation and add high-quality photos so you can promote your business in the best possible way. Read our interview with a real estate photographer who shared her favorite tips on how to best showcase a property. With many customers now searching and booking via their mobile phones and tablets, it’s essential that your website is mobile-friendly so that as many people as possible can access it.
2. Use call-to-action buttons
Use call-to-action buttons like “Gallery”, “Contact Us”, “Rooms” and most importantly, “Book Here”. The “book now” button can be positioned in many places such as in the top menu or as a pop-up on the homepage and at the bottom of your website. A clear call-to-action button that works and takes you to the right place is important if you want your visitors to book directly.
3. Get a booking engine
Once a traveler has decided to book with you, it is important that they can follow through to booking confirmation. And for them to do this on your website, you’ll need a booking engine. A booking engine allows customers to easily and securely make a reservation directly on your website. They will be able to see which rooms are available, they will be able to use a discount code if they have one and finally make their payment.
“A clear call-to-action button that works and takes you to the right place is important…”
4. Offer good discounts
In order to attract the attention of their travelers, OTAs display as many offers as possible. Why not try the same trick and attract your customers with perhaps a discount code or savings for customers who book direct. These could include deals like room upgrades, included breakfast, free Wi-Fi, sea views, and free cancellations or changes. Get your guests to book directly through your website.
5. Promote your website
If you want direct bookings, people need to be able to find your website. To maximize your visibility, you will need to know your audience. When you know who to target, it will be easier to personalize your ads so they reach the right people and you will know where to promote them. You can also use your connection to OTAs to strengthen your online presence thanks to the Billboard effect. This added benefit will increase traffic to your site at no extra cost to you. Find out how you can use this to your best advantage by reading our previous article Grow Your Business with the Billboard Effect.