By definition, an effective hotel internet marketing specialist has an understanding of marketing, hospitality, and the internet.

Technical aspects of this role are rarely talked about, but very important. (Especially for smaller hotels without an in-house development team.) Here are five core competencies any hotel e-marketer must have:

1) Understanding of HTML.

This coding language is the backbone of the web, the framework for nearly every webpage. Being able to make quick changes is essential for updating information. Understanding the official specifications is very helpful for knowing what can and cannot be done with page architecture and search optimization.

2) Understanding of web design basics.

E-marketers need to understand the elements of page design to communicate effectively with the designers and develop a site that is technically sound.

3) Understanding of web usability.

Making a hotel website easy to use is important for conversions. Hotel marketers need to know the key factors in making an accessible site. (Steve Krug has an excellent book on the topic: Don't Make Me Think)

4) Understanding of social media.

Not just the latest fads, but which networks reach your target demographics and how to effectively build a presence there. They must know how to listen to what people are already saying about your hotel. They must understand how to participate in conversations without being obnoxious. Whether we like it or not, user-created content is the future of the web.

5) Understanding of how to blend promotion and distribution channels for highest revenue.

No one tool is going to solve all your problems, and every situation is different. They need to know which mix of tools is going to best reach your target market. Correctly allocating money and resources is an essential trait of any hotel e-marketer.

Original article: www.hotelmarketingstrategies.com/traits-of-effective-hotel-emarketers

About the author
This blog is written by Josiah Mackenzie, who enjoys exploring the relationship between emerging technology and the hospitality industry. 

www.hotelmarketingstrategies.com