The hotel industry has changed considerably. It is not like it used to be back in the old days. Today, the hotel business has gone completely online. Everything is digital. Now, you might be aware of the transition. However, chances are that you do not know how to go digital. More hotels are deciding to put their business on an online booking platform than ever before.
Some of the biggest hotel booking platforms includes Hotels.com, Airbnb, and Booking.com. But, there are many other platforms that are also available. It is crucial that you do not limit your options. Since the giants have taken over the industry, they keep a huge chunk of each reservation. Thus, hotel owners end up having to pay exorbitant fees every month.
Moreover, travelers are always looking to expand beyond the platforms they already use for the best deals. The fact is that most travelers use the platforms as a hotel catalogue and visit the hotel website for making reservations directly. To reduce commissions and meet the expectations of travelers, you require your very own online booking system.
Top Considerations for Choosing the Best Hotel Booking Platform
Choosing the best hotel booking platform is not an easy task. The demand for booking systems has grown exponentially over the years. This has resulted in a variety of platforms popping up. Hence, you need to know what to look for in order to make the right decision. To help you proceed in the right direction, you need to consider the following.
- User Experience
One of the most important factors that you need to take into account when choosing a hotel booking platform include user experience. Over 50 percent of travelers want to make a booking directly instead of having to use a hotel booking platform. To cater to the remaining customers, you need to provide a quality experience.
People expect an easy to book platform which offers a great experience and plenty of possibilities. The right booking system is one that lets one ensure an amazing customer experience. The following are some of the things that you should consider for providing an excellent customer experience.
- A multilingual interface should be your number one priority as since people from across the globe will be using the platform to make a reservation.
- The process has to be super quick. An email confirmation has to be automatically sent to reassure customers that a reservation is made.
- The website must have a clear design to ensure that it works smoothly across all devices. It would enable guests to check everything.
- An Intuitive System
A hotel booking platform is just as good as its intuitiveness. It has to be easy to use if you want travelers to use it to make bookings. Go for an easy to use system for the highest return. The booking system should not complicate things. Instead, it needs to make the job easier for users. Avoid using a platform that frustrates visitors. Rooms will be displayed by the system to show which ones are available on different dates. You should be able to change the availability and price of rooms with just a click of a button. It will help make your life easier. Always go for a modern booking system that effectively integrates channel manager and PMS systems.
- Provides the Best Payment Options
When it comes to hotel booking platforms, you need to choose one that provides the best payment options. It will help keep visitors satisfied and provide complete security. Find a booking system that offers the desired payment options. Consider the following to choose the best hotel booking platform.
- Manages all deposits through a straightforward process and refunds guests easily if bookings are cancelled.
- Accepts foreign bank cards.
- Effectively fight fraud.
- Automates payments to save on manual work.
- Accepts all types of bank cards.
- Accepts vouchers and checks.
- Allows guests to make payments through a deposit and the remainder on arrival.
- Allow payments to be made through PayPal or Stripe.
- Keeps Track of Visitor Data
Customers today expect hotels to know about their preferences. This is why it is important to choose a hotel booking platform that allows you to utilize visitor data. Always remember that visitor data is extremely precious. You can use it to keep guests satisfied. With a good database in place, you will get to share your latest services, special deals, and offers.
Data obtained from visitors can be used for personalized email communication and more. Thus, you will gain access to customer information including travel habits, preferences, and tastes. Then, you can send relevant offers for the highest return.
Keep in mind that not every online platform shares visitor data. This is why it is crucial that you choose the platform wisely. The contact details you obtain can be used for just about everything. Rather than browsing through the entire platform, you will be able to utilize the communication and activity to provide users with the best experience.
The truth is that visitor data is highly valued. You have to implement marketing and communication strategies by leveraging the data. It is important that you negotiate with the hotel booking platform to take back control over guest data.
- Security
Finally, you need to find a hotel booking platform that is secure. It should offer the latest security features to ensure that your customers have a safe experience. Therefore, what you need to do is look up the security features before deciding which platform to go for. The right platform will provide the most recent security capabilities and will go out of its way to keep the platform fully updated.
Conclusion
Once you have finished reading this post, you will be able to choose the best hotel booking platform in no time. Take advantage of the guide to make the right decision. You will find the best platform in no time.