In the last few years, Google has changed their business listing infrastructure a great deal from Google Places and Google + Business into a single comprehensive platform called Google My Business. In addition to combining the first two services, Google My Business (GMB) also integrates directly with Google Maps, which is currently the leading mobile navigation app, even for non-Android users.Having a GMB listing puts a literal 'pin' on the map for your property. Without appearing on Google Maps, you might as well not exist to the millions of users who decide where to go, what to do, and how to get there exclusively through Google Maps every day.Google My Business: Free Hotel Advertising and BookingHaving a GMB listing is amazing free advertising. Every time a potential customer searches for hotels nearest them, yours will appear on the list for anyone within a reasonable driving distance. If you build your listing as the free digital marketing asset that it truly is, then you can create conversions and see bookings.In other words, Google My Business is an undeniable asset to the modern hospitality industry and any hotel that wants to literally put themselves on the map. To help you enhance the effect of your GMB listing, we're here today with five helpful tips.
1) Put the Pin in the Driveway
It seems like such a small detail, precisely where the map pin is, but you'd be surprised how much it matters. Try navigating with Google Maps on a dash-mounted phone for a few trips and you'll quickly understand why. Google Maps navigation leads the driver directly to the pin, wherever that is, before declaring their journey complete. To create happy customers (and avoid frustration), this means you'll want your pin either at the entrance to your parking lot or in the center of your circle-drive. Somewhere guests’ cars can easily reach, and where they can mentally finish their trip and prepare to check-in.
2) Don't Miss a Single Data Field
When filling out your GMB listing, there will be a lot of places to enter data and each one is important for separate reasons. Opening and closing times, for instance, let guests know where they can and cannot check in at the last minute. Room prices will actually show up on your map pin to guide guests to their preferred price range. However, perhaps the most important feature beyond booking through GMB is your list of amenities. Guests often book or skip based on amenities alone.
3) Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!
Never let your GMB listing go without at least a dozen big beautiful pictures of your hotel, lobby, pool, and the rooms from as many angles as possible. Try to get pictures of every type of room you have and do one better than your competitors: actually label the pictures. Images can tell your guests better than any lengthy description whether or not they will enjoy a stay with you. Make sure future guests can flip through a full hotel experience worth of professionally shot photos while they make up their mind.
4) Keep Your Information Current
There's nothing more frustrating to an online customer than realizing that a business is closed when it’s listed as open, prices are higher than expected, or the room style they fell in love with in the pictures has since been redecorated. Broken website links and out-of-date contact information doesn't look too good either. Any time something is changed about the hotel, from your hours to your contact information to your suite design, be sure to fully update your GMB listing.
5) Respond to Reviews
Finally, though your Google My Business listing may be complete, your duties are not. GMB is also a rating, reviewing, and question-asking platform, allowing past guests to leave a review of their experience and future guests to ask questions. Check your GMB listing at least twice a week and answer every review or question. If the review is positive, thank the guest warmly and invite them back any time. If the review is negative, apologize for the imperfect experience and offer to address the situation privately if the guest would like a resolution. With the right customer service approach, you may even be able to turn negative reviews into positive ones by impressing guests with your consideration and care.Google My Business is one of the best things that has ever happened to the hospitality industry and provides a unique edge on the sharing economy which does not get access to this fantastic form of free advertising.Build your GMB listing with care, tend it over time, and soon you will be reaping the rewards in the form of happy customers who found the right place to stay with Google Maps.
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In the last few years, Google has changed their business listing infrastructure a great deal from Google Places and Google + Business into a single comprehensive platform called Google My Business. In addition to combining the first two services, Google My Business (GMB) also integrates directly with Google Maps, which is currently the leading mobile navigation app, even for non-Android users.Having a GMB listing puts a literal 'pin' on the map for your property. Without appearing on Google Maps, you might as well not exist to the millions of users who decide where to go, what to do, and how to get there exclusively through Google Maps every day.Google My Business: Free Hotel Advertising and BookingHaving a GMB listing is amazing free advertising. Every time a potential customer searches for hotels nearest them, yours will appear on the list for anyone within a reasonable driving distance. If you build your listing as the free digital marketing asset that it truly is, then you can create conversions and see bookings.In other words, Google My Business is an undeniable asset to the modern hospitality industry and any hotel that wants to literally put themselves on the map. To help you enhance the effect of your GMB listing, we're here today with five helpful tips.
1) Put the Pin in the Driveway
It seems like such a small detail, precisely where the map pin is, but you'd be surprised how much it matters. Try navigating with Google Maps on a dash-mounted phone for a few trips and you'll quickly understand why. Google Maps navigation leads the driver directly to the pin, wherever that is, before declaring their journey complete. To create happy customers (and avoid frustration), this means you'll want your pin either at the entrance to your parking lot or in the center of your circle-drive. Somewhere guests’ cars can easily reach, and where they can mentally finish their trip and prepare to check-in.
2) Don't Miss a Single Data Field
When filling out your GMB listing, there will be a lot of places to enter data and each one is important for separate reasons. Opening and closing times, for instance, let guests know where they can and cannot check in at the last minute. Room prices will actually show up on your map pin to guide guests to their preferred price range. However, perhaps the most important feature beyond booking through GMB is your list of amenities. Guests often book or skip based on amenities alone.
3) Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!
Never let your GMB listing go without at least a dozen big beautiful pictures of your hotel, lobby, pool, and the rooms from as many angles as possible. Try to get pictures of every type of room you have and do one better than your competitors: actually label the pictures. Images can tell your guests better than any lengthy description whether or not they will enjoy a stay with you. Make sure future guests can flip through a full hotel experience worth of professionally shot photos while they make up their mind.
4) Keep Your Information Current
There's nothing more frustrating to an online customer than realizing that a business is closed when it’s listed as open, prices are higher than expected, or the room style they fell in love with in the pictures has since been redecorated. Broken website links and out-of-date contact information doesn't look too good either. Any time something is changed about the hotel, from your hours to your contact information to your suite design, be sure to fully update your GMB listing.
5) Respond to Reviews
Finally, though your Google My Business listing may be complete, your duties are not. GMB is also a rating, reviewing, and question-asking platform, allowing past guests to leave a review of their experience and future guests to ask questions. Check your GMB listing at least twice a week and answer every review or question. If the review is positive, thank the guest warmly and invite them back any time. If the review is negative, apologize for the imperfect experience and offer to address the situation privately if the guest would like a resolution. With the right customer service approach, you may even be able to turn negative reviews into positive ones by impressing guests with your consideration and care.Google My Business is one of the best things that has ever happened to the hospitality industry and provides a unique edge on the sharing economy which does not get access to this fantastic form of free advertising.Build your GMB listing with care, tend it over time, and soon you will be reaping the rewards in the form of happy customers who found the right place to stay with Google Maps.
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