Getting any business off the ground is an enormous undertaking. After all, you’re in charge of everything from daily operations to payroll, insurance, and monthly expenses. And opening and running a thriving hotel is just as difficult.
That’s why understanding a few strategies for establishing a successful hotel is so imperative. Follow these effective methods so that your business has a strong start.
Take Advantage of Digital Marketing
Once you land on the perfect locale and set the foundation for your business, it’s time to consider how you’ll market your hotel. Nowadays, the best way to go about this is by taking advantage of digital marketing. It’s cost-effective, versatile, and has a broad market reach. Building an official website for your establishment is an excellent starting point.
You can add main pages that describe the different services you offer, your mission statement, and your contact info. You can follow that up with an online portal that makes it easy for customers to book online. As more customers roll in, you can start to branch out through other mediums, like social media and blogs, to entice people with video tours, promotional deals, and real-time updates about your business.
Location, Location, Location
We can’t discuss strategies for establishing a successful hotel without mentioning the importance of selecting an excellent place. Most businesses—to some degree—will depend on their establishment’s location to draw in customers. Hotels are no different. After all, customers often book with one hotel over another if it means being closer to the beach or other attractions.
That’s why choosing a dynamite destination for your hotel is essential to its success. Of course, the location you select also needs to work for your budget and business plan. A great way to pick something attractive without compromising your needs is to consider the following:
- Whether you should build new vs. buy an old building
- If the location will attract tourists or businesses
- If it could potentially attract group business
It’s best to also consider your proximity to various amenities, the safety of the surrounding neighborhoods, and the real estate market you’re working with.
Offer Customers Something Unique
It isn’t enough to have the perfect location or use digital marketing to attract customers to your hotel. You also have to offer them an innovative and unique experience each time they choose to stay with you. Creating this kind of guest experience requires that you identify the needs and expectations of your customers. Perhaps your establishment tends to attract a younger crowd. If that’s the case, it might be worth investing in a luxury pool area.
You could even set up a stage and book local acts to perform on the weekends. Perhaps your customers flock to your location because it’s close to famous wellness seminars. If this is the case, consider building a yoga and meditation garden. Either way, understanding what your customers want and giving it to them is a fantastic way to keep them engaged so that they want to continue doing business with you in the future.
