If you run a pub, hotel, B&B or restaurant, you already know how important it is to create a great experience in person. But what about online? These days, your digital presence is just as important as your food, your rooms, or your service. Whether you’re tucked away in the countryside or on a busy high street, making sure your business looks its best online can help you bring in more guests, more bookings and, ultimately, more revenue.
Here’s why your hospitality business needs a solid digital side.
Your Website is Your Shop Window
Think of your website like your front door. If it’s dated, slow to load, or doesn’t work properly on a phone, you’re probably losing potential customers before they even make an enquiry.
A good website should be clean, easy to navigate, and full of beautiful images that show off what makes your place special. Even more importantly, it should have a proper booking system built in. That way, customers can book directly with you, instead of going through a third-party platform.
Taking direct bookings means:
- You don’t have to pay commission to sites like Booking.com
- You stay in full control of the guest experience
- You can offer little perks for booking direct, like a free dessert or an early check-in
In short, direct bookings = more profit and better relationships with your guests.
SEO: Helping People Find You Online
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) might sound technical, but it’s really just about helping people find you when they search online. Imagine someone Googles “cosy pub in Devon” or “seafront B&B Cornwall” – you want your website to pop up first, not your competitor’s.
Good SEO helps make that happen. It’s all about making sure your site is set up properly, loads quickly, uses the right keywords, and has useful, engaging content. Done right, it brings more people to your site without you having to spend a fortune on ads.
Social Media: Show Off What Makes You Special
Your social media pages are like a window into the experience you offer. Instagram and Facebook are brilliant platforms for sharing great photos of your food, your rooms, the views, your events and even the lovely people behind the scenes.
People don’t just want to read about your place, they want to see it and feel the vibe. That’s what gets them excited to book.
With social media, you can:
- Show off what makes you different
- Connect with your local community and visitors
- Share special offers, menus or events
- Encourage happy guests to tag you in their posts
More often than not, a well-curated Instagram feed can be what makes someone hit “Book Now”.
Google Business & Online Reviews
When someone searches for your business, the first thing they’ll probably see is your Google Business listing. This needs to be accurate, up-to-date, and full of great photos and reviews.
Encourage happy customers to leave a review, and always reply to them, even the tricky ones. It shows you care and helps build trust. Plus, regular, fresh reviews can give your SEO a nice boost too.
Keep in Touch with Email
Once someone has stayed or dined with you, it’s worth staying in touch. A friendly email now and then with your latest news, seasonal offers or upcoming events can bring people back time and time again.
It’s a great way to remind people what they loved about your place, and tempt them back for more.
It All Works Together
When you bring everything together, a great website, a bit of SEO, an active social media presence and a good Google profile, it all starts to click. People find you more easily, they get a great first impression, and they’re more likely to book.
Your digital presence isn’t just about marketing. It’s part of the guest experience, from the moment they start planning their trip to the moment they leave you that glowing five-star review.
If you’re in hospitality and you want to get your digital side sorted, we can help. Whether it’s building a beautiful new website, improving your SEO, or making the most of social media, we’d love to chat.
Drop us a message and let’s see how we can help bring more people through your (real) doors.
