Why Your Hotel Website Needs A Price Checker
The hospitality industry thrives on competition. From Airbnb to online travel agencies (OTAs), hotels face the growing challenge of being the best stay for the most affordable price. Budget savvy travelers want to know their options prior to booking. With that in mind, they are also interested in making reservations as quickly and conveniently as possible. It is up to the hotel's booking page to facilitate a smooth journey from prospective guest to “we'll see you soon.”
A price checker is an essential tool for a hotel when competing with OTAs and driving direct bookings. This helpful widget displays rates from all channels on a hotel's website and booking page so guests can compare and make an informed decision when selecting their accommodations. Price checkers improve a hotel's booking engine by proving that the guest is getting the best rate, period. The rate displayed for the hotel should always be equal to or lower than the price per night displayed on an OTA, such as Expedia or Priceline.
Think of price checker tools as a complimentary amenity of booking directly with a hotel, motel, or resort. With a price checker built into your book direct strategy, you will help improve branding, be seen as an industry leader, and build a 5-star reputation online.
Better Branding
Branding for hoteliers is an integral element of establishing a name among the best hotels in each area. Independent hotels will especially benefit from prioritizing brand recognition during the booking process and throughout the life of a guest's stay. One effortless way to improve brand recognition is by creating a dynamic online presence and being transparent with your pricing.
Go beyond the basics when designing a hotel website. Simplify the booking experience and eliminate the need for multiple browser tabs that visitors must navigate. This will appear like a third-party tool such as Kayak or Expedia and give guests the peace of mind to book direct. In addition, since so many guests love to save time and enjoy a convenient booking experience, a price checker widget resolves the need for further Google searching.
Most importantly, a price checker tool keeps guests on your page longer, from the start of the booking process, through the research and comparison arch, to booking their first stay and signing up for more great deals via a hotel's blog or mailing list. This is a terrific way to instill confidence in your brand.
Be an Industry Leader
Being competitive is not simply a benefit — it is a necessity. Independent hotels must compete with popular OTA engines like Expedia, Kayak, Priceline, and more to increase their share of direct bookings rather than relying on third-party booking engine traffic. A recent hotel profitability study by Kalibri Labs found that direct bookings were 12.5% more profitable than those derived from OTAs.
This may sound counterintuitive as a price checker widget promotes the best available rate. However, a key benefit of price checker widgets for hotels is recapturing control of the guest relationship. Once guests have established trust and brand loyalty, they are unlikely to search for bookings elsewhere. This means returning guests will be more receptive to the upsell opportunities by upgrading their experience, bundle room rates, and enjoy premium rooms at their favorite place to get away.
A 5-Star Reputation
Including a price checker widget on a hotel's website and booking engine not only drives more direct bookings but increases transparency as well. This is key for building a fantastic guest relationship. Guests want to feel that they are staying at an accommodation they can trust. By providing an insider comparison of rates upfront, hotels can establish loyalty and stellar rapport. Best of all, a price checker widget provides a comprehensive view of:
- Rate comparison. Guests will be able to compare prices with direct competitors. Price checker tools will always show your hotel as the best deal for the lowest price.
- Real-time price evolution. Take a closer look at historic prices during peak season and off-season, see real-time comparative rates, and empower guests to pick the best time for their stay and budget.
- Track demand. Price checker widgets can track local demand as occupancy increases within a given area. This adds a sense of urgency to booking and encourages travelers to secure their reservations before they become unavailable.
- Online reviews. Maintain transparency by linking to online reviews alongside a competitive price analysis so guests can rest easy knowing they are saving money while enjoying the best hotel experience in the area.
By providing a myriad of core information upfront during the booking process, hotels can provide guests with the assurance of an awesome stay.
Join the hotel revolution by streamlining direct bookings, improving brand loyalty, and welcoming more new guests in 2021. A price checker widget is the fastest way to increase direct bookings. Schedule a demo to learn about rezStream and how our marketing and website services can drive more direct bookings to your hotel.