{"id":107351,"date":"2019-05-07T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-05-08T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dacgroup.com\/5-google-my-business-features-for-hotels-and-one-big-hack-2\/"},"modified":"2024-12-20T09:22:55","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T14:22:55","slug":"5-google-my-business-features-for-hotels-and-one-big-hack-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dacgroup.com\/en-gb\/insights\/blog\/local-search\/5-google-my-business-features-for-hotels-and-one-big-hack-2\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Google My Business Features for Hotels (and One Big Hack)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hospitality is one of the most competitive industries thanks to an overly crowded market full of everything from high-end luxury hotels and resorts to small, economy motels and hostels. Add the growing popularity of platforms like AirBnB, and it\u2019s clear that the way travellers are searching for and booking accommodations is changing.<\/p>\n

Google and other search engines treat businesses in the hospitality industry a little differently including a number of features that are exclusive to travel accommodation listings. Considering 60% of leisure travellers use search engines<\/a> for online trip planning, hotel marketing managers need to make sure their listings are content rich and informative. To get the most out of your listings, here are 5 things you need to know about GMB for hotels:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Let\u2019s get checked in<\/h2>\n

    Google My Business supports hotel check-in and check-out times<\/h3>\n

    One feature unique to hotel listings in Google My Business<\/a> is the check-in and check-out times. Google now supports displaying this information right on the hotel\u2019s GMB business profile. With the prevalence of \u201cnear me\u201d searches and spontaneous purchase decisions, hotels that have must-know information readily available on their listing rather than forcing the user to visit their website may be chosen simply for the convenience.<\/p>\n

    With that quick, easy booking mindset, Google has also started working with multiple hotel chains and online booking services, including Choice Hotels, AccorHotels and InterContinental Hotels Group, Priceline, Expedia, Mirai, and Travelclick to offer an instant booking option through mobile.<\/p>\n

    Airline check-ins (currently only available in the U.S.) will also be pushed out worldwide once hurdles related to language and technology adoption of Google Assistant voice tool are cleared.<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Unique design<\/h2>\n

    Google has a unique design for hotel search results<\/h3>\n

    Google presents a unique display for hotel search results. Date ranges, price ranges, selected amenities, and more can be filtered and the user has the ability to zoom in and out of the map display. This results page will also display photos (either provided by the hotel or user-submitted), information such as the neighbourhood and locations, and reviews. With all of this additional information readily available, it\u2019s very important for hotels to make sure every detail is covered.<\/p>\n

    \"Screenshot<\/p>\n

    Get the best deal with \u201cprice insights\u201d<\/h3>\n

    Google knows users love a good price comparison. With \u201cprice insights\u201d, a searcher can see prices for comparable hotels in the area during their date range. When looking at a hotel, Google may display a \u201cthis hotel costs more than similar hotels nearby\u201d message. This prompt lets the user know they are looking into hotels that are listed above market price and makes it easy for them to keep exploring their options.<\/p>\n

    \"Screenshot<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    404 Error: “features not found”<\/h2>\n

    Hotel listings lack menu, service, and booking URLs<\/h3>\n

    Google is working on making the hotel booking experience easier for users and in the process has added a number of things for hotel marketing managers to consider. For one, Google doesn\u2019t allow for an appointment\/booking URL on a business profile and instead includes a paid commission booking button. With 65% of hotel revenue typically coming from room bookings, this feature is having a direct and severe effect on income.<\/p>\n

    Another 25% of hotel revenue can often be attributed to built-in restaurant, bars, or special room service options all of which cannot be promoted via the hotel business profile. That means managers have to create a separate Google listing to compete with surrounding restaurants.<\/p>\n

    A few more features hotel managers have to do without include:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • The ability to write their own business descriptions:<\/strong> Descriptions are automatically generated by Google.<\/li>\n
    • Structured data markups on event pages:<\/strong> Things like retreats, workshops and entertainment can\u2019t be promoted on business profiles, so managers will have to have a paid strategy to spread the word about special events.<\/li>\n
    • Google Posts:<\/strong> As an integrated microblogging platform, Google Posts is potentially a useful way to promote special rates, deals, and events for local businesses. Without it, smaller motels and businesses will have an even harder time competing with large chains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      \n \n
      \n
      \n

      \n Stay Forward <\/h2>\n

      \n Get exclusive insights into digital
      media's top-trending topics delivered
      directly to your inbox. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

      \n
      \n
      \n
      \n \n