Smartphones have become such an important part of our lives that they are no longer thought of as a luxury item. Even the poorest among us have these mobile devices that allow them to communicate with the rest of the world. You could go to a remote corner of the world and find people using smartphones.
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For hotel managers who want to remain competitive, it is no longer optional to incorporate the smartphone into your hotel’s marketing strategy. A hotel’s business depends on it. With that being said, how can hotels connect with travelers who don’t go anywhere without their smartphone?
Recognizing improving technology
Recent improvements in the design and functionality of these smart devices now makes it possible for hotel managers to provide an even better experience for their guests. Not too long ago, when marketing managers were first realizing that the smartphone had the potential to become the most powerful way to engage the customer, the focus was on enabling guests to use their phone to make a reservation.
Today, higher network speeds and larger screens, make it possible to do things like display high-quality video and present much more data-intensive content. By taking advantage of these new capabilities, managers may be able to drive more business to their hotels.
Encourage your guests to download your mobile app
A hotel can develop a closer relationship with its guests when a guest uses the hotel’s app. To encourage guests to take action and download the app, hotels can provide certain incentives. Perhaps, when the guest downloads the app, they would get a free streaming movie.
Another thing that can help get more people to download the hotel app to their smartphone is to advertise that such an app is available. In addition to putting it prominently on your hotel’s web page, you note the mobile app on brochures, key cards, the in-room card that lists the TV channels, or any other place a hotel guest might look.
10 ways to create a great mobile app
Impress your guests by offering them a multitude of options when using the app. What does a guest need? What do they want? How can you enrich their experience?
1. Information Please – Allow your guests to get specific information about your hotel. They should be able to check what time the free continental breakfast opens or which rooms have the best views of the pool.
2. Use high-quality photos to show off the best features of the guest room room. Instead of showing a freshly made bed, take a close-up photo showing the fine stitching on the luxury sheets.
3. Use a video to present a tour of the hotel and grounds. People like to preview a property before they make a decision on whether to make a reservation and become a paying guest.
4. Use videos and photos to show guests the top attractions around town. Creating valuable content is one of the best ways to get people to use your app.
5. Create a calendar of events where a guest can easily see what is going on during the course of their stay. Include the day, time of day and any other relevant details.
6. Make sure that a guest can make or cancel a reservation and allow the guest to use their smartphone to check-in or check-out of the hotel.
7. Make it possible for the guest to get a wake-up call on his or her phone. A special ring tone for this service would enhance such a feature.
8. If your hotel has a restaurant, a guest should have the ability to use his or her phone to make a dinner reservation. If your hotel does not have a restaurant, you could have a list of recommended local restaurants that guests can learn about with a simple tap of their phone.
9. Put your guest in touch so they can rent a car or buy tickets to the theater or some other type of event.
10. Have the capability of real-time interaction with hotel personnel while the guest may be traveling or away from the hotel for the day.
Smartphones have changed the way that hotels do business. People who travel for business and those that are leisure travelers, all want the best deals they can get. If you want to appeal to the most travelers, a marketing strategy that involves smartphones is a smart idea.
Related Articles:
SmartPhones, Tablets and 2013’s Rapidly Changing Traveler Habits (hmghotelsblog.com)
How Smartphones Affect Your Tourist Business (mobopreneur.com)
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