Worldwide mobile device usage has skyrocketed over the past decade, and it’s not just because of social media. Most of us use a mobile device to search the internet, and over half of all online transactions are completed with a mobile device. These numbers are even higher for the hospitality industry. The effectiveness of mobile is quickly overtaking all the other avenues of digital marketing.
Mobile Marketing for Hotels: A High Priority
For the hospitality industry, more people are using their mobile devices to investigate their travel plans, look for things to do, and book their rooms. They want to see what their experience will be through the convenience of their smartphone, which is why hotels need to make mobile marketing a priority.
Reason #1: Getting Connected Is Easy
A good mobile experience improves the opinion of a brand. It’s a way to get connected and stay connected through text and email. Forming connections through mobile can be done in several ways. The easiest is through keywords and a short code. Visitors to your website can send a keyword to get a discount and opt-in to receive text messages. Email is another great way for them to get connected. Open rates for email on mobile are growing, especially for travel and hospitality.
Reason #2: Online Experiences Matter
Attracting new guests begins with a mobile-friendly website. Google search results give priority ranking to websites that are optimized for smartphones. Their reason for this is that it provides their users’ with the best experience possible. Optimization makes a website more responsive through quicker loading times, and text and images are presented clearly on a smaller screen. For hotels, optimizing for mobile should be a priority because antiquated websites give potential guests a negative impression about the hotel.
Reason #3: Staying Connected
Mobile marketing enhances the guests’ experience. Hotels can send texts and emails that advertise on-site services and specials that their guests may not have been aware of when checking in. It’s also a great way to increase foot traffic for downtimes in the restaurant or bar. Another way to enhance their experience is by promoting area attractions. This can increase concierge services while strengthening partnerships within the community.
Reason #4: Reduce Drop Off Rates
In the hospitality industry, showing a destination through a traveler’s eyes will maintain those emotional connections to the brand. Email campaigns are great for this because they have the capacity to use dramatic pictures along with entertaining content. Guests will remember their own personal experience or experience a new one. This keeps the brand front-of-mind when it comes time to book their next vacation. And it’s easy to coordinate email campaigns with social media, which keeps the messaging consistent and relevant.
The Necessity of Mobile Marketing
Every year, mobile devices improve their functionality and security, which allows people to do more with them. Mobile marketing is the fastest-growing channel that deserves more attention than other digital avenues. Optimizing for mobile communications has become a necessity for hotels wanting to attract more visitors, increase bookings, and stay in touch.