As we are so entrenched in the digital age, it seems logical that your hotel advertising should be as well; For many years hotels have relied on print marketing in newspapers, magazines or paper mailers to get their message to potential customers.

There may still be a few hoteliers out there using these methods, when in fact, the benefits of Internet marketing for hotels greatly outweigh any other means of advertising.

As a hotel owner/manager your goal is to increase room revenue. You want more “heads in beds”. To achieve this you need to think like the consumer and understand how they purchase goods and services.

In this day and age, more and more people are on their mobile devices conducting research and comparing prices because it’s quick, easy and right in the palm of their hands. If you’re not in the digital world you are missing out on many opportunities to grab the attention of these users.

When marketing your hotel website, keep in mind the benefits you will reap.

It’s convenient. When you advertise online, you’re available 24 hours a day to take reservations and to showcase your property. With busy schedules, consumers are searching the web at all hours of the day, so whether Internet Marketing for Hotels it’s the early riser or the night owl, you can access them all.

Your reach is greater. Using internet marketing services allows you to reach people all over the world rather than those in a specific market or a particular part of the country.

You can build relationships. Unlike traditional print marketing, internet marketing for hotels provide an opportunity to build a database of those who visit your website. By providing a newsletter sign up or an e-offers sign up, you can develop a list of potential customers to reach out to. You can then tailor and email offers that speak to the needs and wants of your database. Another option is to give your guests a chance to leave a review that you can personally respond to. This shows your guest that you care about their experience and value their opinion. Each of these items will help build positive relationships with your guests.

Online marketing is a must for hotels if you want to be successful and stand out from your competitors. There are too many components to website marketing that make it an effective strategy not to be overlooked or undermined.

Lodging Interactive is a proud supporter of the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the company’s president, DJ Vallauri, currently serves on the Board of Directors of HSMAI’s New York Chapter. For more information, please contact sales@lodginginteractive.com, 877-291-4411 or www.lodginginteractive.com.