Your online presence extends beyond just having a website.
One of the most crucial platforms for hotels and restaurants is Google Maps. An accurate listing on Google Maps puts your hotel or restaurant directly in front of potential guests, making it an essential component of your digital marketing strategy.
Your Google Maps listing is often the first interaction a potential guest has with your business. Having up-to-date hours and contact information and an excess of positive reviews can make a powerful first impression, as well as high-quality photos of the interior, special features, or menu. In fact, according to research done by Google, businesses that have images receive 42% more requests for directions, and 86% of people use Google Maps to look up the location of a business.
Google Maps doesn’t just help people find your location—it can actively drive visitors to your doorstep. The platform’s “popular times” feature and real-time updates can help potential guests decide when to visit if they want to avoid a wait, plus utilizing SEO on your listing description and tags points searchers straight to your page. Your Google Maps listing can also link your reservation platform or website front and center so guests can quickly complete a booking within the fewest taps or clicks possible.
Displaying recent and professional photos will show customers you are active in updating your property, features, or menu, but it also increases your visibility on search engines. Google Maps rewards businesses who regularly update photos and information with more traffic and visibility, ensuring you’re easily accessible to guests who are looking for immediate dining or lodging options.
Another big thing to think about is if you say that you actually care about your customers in your business plan or brand strategy, walk the walk by responding to your reviews. Only 12% of people actually believe a business when they say they put the customer first. While a negative review could sway potential customers to not visit your business, a genuine and personal response with an apology or action is equally powerful in convincing customers to give you a try. Engaging in conversation with customers or guests not only shows that particular customer their comments are being heard, it shows future customers or guests that you care about them and want your business to flourish.
Overwhelmed by all the ways to get your hotel or restaurant in front of your ideal audience?
Fortissima will help curate a cohesive profile across all your platforms. So when your potential guests or customers jump to your website or social media, your business will be cohesively represented—polished and accurate on all channels!