Hospitality Property School

It’s important for customers to like your website design because getting eyes on your site is the best way to start your guest’s journey, the longer
they stay, the higher the chance they will book.

Here’s what you need to do.

Website Design Introduction

The last couple of years has made a clean sweep of the past decades of hospitality property strategies. As of today, almost all of the experience acquired during these years has become nothing more than a distant memory.

While it can be frustrating to dismiss such hard-earned and valuable insights, it can also be refreshing to start from the beginning. By developing the right strategy, you can reopen your hotel, resort, inn or bed and breakfast on solid ground and distinguish yourself from the competition.

Let's take a look at your website design.

The way to make visitors stay on your website is by giving them reasons why they should stay, be it information, good service, special price, etc.

• Keep your website design limited to make it look more professional.

• Your website design should be personal and appealing.

• You should provide a detailed description of your property and services.

• Your website should be simple and straightforward.

Your goal should be to make your hospitality properties website a pleasure to look at.

Whether you’re overhauling your property's existing website or creating your web presence from scratch, you should understand the crucial elements of a clean and functional website so that it looks honest, professional, and well-designed.

Here are 22 Details You Need to Consider When Designing Your Website

1. A website should be easy to use

If visitors are confused when looking at your website it will be a great way to dissuade them from making their booking decision.

Ensuring your website is easy to navigate around will keep your visitors on your site for longer and increase the chances of conversion. Test the ease of using yourself by seeing how many clicks it takes for you to find a piece of information, such as your room descriptions or your list of facilities – if it’s more than three clicks, it’s probably too many.

2. Your homepage

First impressions count. You have less than 15 seconds to impress a visitor when they hit your website for the first time.

Your website needs to build trust and show a user that you’re professional. You also have to make it clear that every piece of information can be found on your property's website, in an uncluttered way.

3. The about us page

The ‘About Us’ section is the perfect place to tell your story, explaining why you love to host your guests, the kind of experience your property offers them, the history of your property, the local attractions, and a way to introduce your team.

4. Delightful images

You only have to look at the statistics surrounding Instagram to realize how powerful images have become.
Delightful imagery is more than just a passing trend, and hoteliers are well-placed to make the most of their aspirational surroundings.


5. Quality content
Content is king’ and your website needs lots of it.
Interesting content helps to keep your prospective guests on your website longer. Content increases the rate of conversion, especially if it’s authentic, accurate, and informative.

Ideas include:
• detailed descriptions of your rooms and other facilities
• local attractions
• history of your hotel
• an up-to-date blog
• guest reviews
• your bar
• dining room
• spa

Continue listening or reading and I will share 17 more details you need to consider for your website design...

⇒ TO READ OR LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE ON KEYSTONE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:

https://keystonehpd.com/website-design-22-ways-to-get-eyes-on-your-site-293

Get your copy of the “How to Improve Your Hospitality Properties Success” ebook?
https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-improve-your-hospitality-properties-success


Get Your INNsider Tips
https://KeystoneHPD.com/INNsider-Tips


Join one of your private groups
https://keystonehpd.com/private-groups


Say hi on social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneHPD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeystoneHPD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-hospitality-development


Listen to The Hospitality Property School PODCAST here
https://www.keystonehpd.com/hospitality-property-school-podcasts


YouTube
https://youtu.be/0wjwAMrPqVc

A Division of Keystone Hospitality Property Development

Booking a hotel, resort, inn or bed and breakfast has become a more manageable process with the introduction of the online reservation system but do you know what you need?

In this episode, I’ll explain how to pick the best system for your property.

Online reservation systems are designed to simplify the process of booking rooms and have made it more convenient for the traveller.

This technology is capable of handling all aspects related to booking a property, such as finding and comparing rates, making reservations, and paying for them. The software also provides information about different properties in different areas so that travellers can find the best one that suits their needs.

The software also allows travellers to book rooms on their smartphones or tablets, making it even more convenient for them because they don't have to go through long processes just to book a room.

What are the benefits of having an online reservations system?

As I had mentioned, hotel, resort, inn and bed and breakfast online reservations systems are designed to make booking a room as easy and efficient as possible.

Some of the other benefits include:
- The ability to book rooms from anywhere in the world,
- The ability to compare different properties and their rates,
- An overview of all available property’s near you,
- And more.

Continue watching or reading and I’ll talk about choosing the right online reservation system…

⇒ TO READ OR LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE ON KEYSTONE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:

https://keystonehpd.com/10-questions-to-ask-when-choosing-an-online-reservation-system-292

Get your copy of the “How to Improve Your Hospitality Properties Success” ebook?
https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-improve-your-hospitality-properties-success


Get Your INNsider Tips
https://KeystoneHPD.com/INNsider-Tips


Join one of your private groups
https://keystonehpd.com/private-groups


Say hi on social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneHPD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeystoneHPD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-hospitality-development


Listen to The Hospitality Property School PODCAST here
https://www.keystonehpd.com/hospitality-property-school-podcasts


YouTube
https://youtu.be/T6XRtTAXUF8

A Division of Keystone Hospitality Property Development

How do you get found online and get more direct bookings? By using the right content management system.

In this episode, I’ll tell you what to look for.

What is a Content Management System (CMS)?
A content management system (CMS) is a software package that allows the creation, organization, and editing of content for websites.

A CMS can be as simple as a blog, or it can be a complex system with many modules. Some CMSs are open source and some are commercial.

Being around since the early 1990s, they have proven to be a marketing plus for hospitality properties who have taken advantage and if implemented effectively, a CMS will be the pillar of your website's content marketing operations.

All you have to do is upload your content, set a publish date, and you're all set. You'll have better search engine rankings and attract more visitors without the need for any technical expertise.

Your CMS can have a significant impact on your hotel, resort, inn, bed and breakfast etc. and your web presence, which means it can be intimidating to determine which system is right for your property.

To help you get started, continue listening or reading. We have completed the top questions to ask before investing in a CMS...

⇒ TO READ OR LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE ON KEYSTONE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:

https://keystonehpd.com/7-crucial-questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-content-management-system-291

Get your copy of the “How to Improve Your Hospitality Properties Success” ebook?
https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-improve-your-hospitality-properties-success


Get Your INNsider Tips
https://KeystoneHPD.com/INNsider-Tips


Join one of your private groups
https://keystonehpd.com/private-groups


Say hi on social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneHPD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeystoneHPD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-hospitality-development


Listen to The Hospitality Property School PODCAST here
https://www.keystonehpd.com/hospitality-property-school-podcasts


YouTube
hhttps://youtu.be/7VnBbtyCsgE

A Division of Keystone Hospitality Property Development

The goal of a hospitality property pricing strategy is to maximize revenue while minimizing vacancy rates.

In this episode, I talk about why this is important.

The Basic Principles of Room Prices

We live in a world where travellers have to make decisions, and the decision of what hospitality property to stay at is no exception. With so many choices available, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd and provide potential guests with the best value for their money.

There are many factors that go into pricing a hospitality property room.
The location, amenities and quality of service are all important factors.

However, one of the most important aspects is demand. Properties can charge more for rooms if they know they can sell them out quickly or if there is high demand during certain times of the year.


What is a hospitality property pricing strategy?

A pricing strategy is a set of rules that help properties decide how much to charge for rooms. It is a crucial part of the marketing strategy and can be used to attract customers or discourage them.
There are two main pricing strategies:


Cost-based pricing
Cost-based pricing strategies are the easiest to implement. Hoteliers/ innkeepers simply calculate the sum of all expenses involved in running their property, divide that cost by the number of rooms or units, and then markup each unit or room based on the profit they hope to make.

Demand-based pricing
Demand-based pricing, sometimes called customer-based pricing, is where the hotelier/innkeeper adjusts a room or unit price (often in real-time) according to customer demand and the perceived value.

Other factors that affect the pricing of a room include:
- The location and type of the property (luxury, budget, etc.)
- The time of year and day of the week
- The quality and reputation of the property

Continue watching or reading and I’ll share what else you need to consider when developing your pricing strategy...

⇒ TO READ OR LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE ON KEYSTONE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:

https://keystonehpd.com/tactics-for-a-successful-pricing-strategy-why-should-you-care-290

Get your copy of the “How to Improve Your Hospitality Properties Success” ebook?
https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-improve-your-hospitality-properties-success


Get Your INNsider Tips
https://KeystoneHPD.com/INNsider-Tips


Join one of your private groups
https://keystonehpd.com/private-groups


Say hi on social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneHPD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeystoneHPD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-hospitality-development


Listen to The Hospitality Property School PODCAST here
https://www.keystonehpd.com/hospitality-property-school-podcasts


YouTube
https://youtu.be/aeRztygMC8A

A Division of Keystone Hospitality Property Development

Our interview this month is going to be with RealTime Reservation founder, Shawn Tarter.

RealTime Reservation is a centralized inventory management system that automatically promotes and sells experiences, activities, amenities, etc. from pre-arrival to check-out all in real-time in hospitality properties of all sizes.

Continue watching to find out more about RealTime Reservation…

⇒ TO READ OR LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE ON KEYSTONE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:

https://keystonehpd.com/shawn-tarter-founder-of-the-realtime-reservation-289

Get your copy of the “How to Improve Your Hospitality Properties Success” ebook?
https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-improve-your-hospitality-properties-success


Get Your INNsider Tips
https://KeystoneHPD.com/INNsider-Tips


Join one of your private groups
https://keystonehpd.com/private-groups


Say hi on social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneHPD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeystoneHPD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-hospitality-development


Listen to The Hospitality Property School PODCAST here
https://www.keystonehpd.com/hospitality-property-school-podcasts


YouTube
https://youtu.be/s3z-45efAEc


A Division of Keystone Hospitality Property Development

Hospitality properties of the future have to be green.

Establishments across the world that have seen the light are reaping the benefits so I’ll show you how to make your property eco-friendly.

According to recent reports, 70% of global travellers say they would be more likely to book accommodation knowing it was eco-friendly, whether they were looking for a sustainable stay or not.

Investing in renewable & eco-friendly resources for hospitality properties used to be a luxury, but now is necessary. Today, it can help you improve your property's overall profit and patronage.

Renewable power, including wind and hydroelectric power, is set to rise by 40 percent over the next five years.

While less than 2% of the world’s electricity is currently generated through solar technology, a recent report estimated that this figure could increase to as much as 13% by the year 2030.

It’s clear that renewable energy is here to stay as more companies embrace it and in this group, the travel industry stands out.

Without a program in place, hospitality properties can be very wasteful and consume a huge amount of resources but don’t panic, many greening initiatives are not expensive to implement and can provide substantial benefits to your business!

There are three key areas of the environmental impact that properties should consider; energy, water, and waste.

Energy - Excessive energy use is extremely costly but with minor adjustments, it can lead to massive cost savings.

Waste - One study estimate identified that an average hotel produces in excess of one kilogram of waste per guest per day. The good news is that approximately 30 percent of waste in hotels can be diverted through reuse and recycling.

Water - Tourists and residents alike require a clean and dependable supply of water for survival including drinking, cooking & cleaning. Water is also integral to the amenities usually expected by tourists, such as swimming pools, landscaped gardens, and golf courses. Water also supports industries such as agriculture that support the tourism industry.

Several studies have indicated that economic benefits can be gained in hospitality properties through implementing environmental and social initiatives; many with little or no capital. In addition to cost benefits, there are also benefits to choosing an environmentally sustainable strategy.

These include:
• Gaining competitive advantage by being a leader in the industry

• Customer loyalty

• Employee retention

• Awards and recognition

• Regulatory compliance

• Risk management

• Increased brand value

But the major benefit is because it’s the right thing to do!

Continue reading and I’ll share with you examples of renewable power being used by the travel industry, right after a word from our sponsor…

⇒ TO READ OR LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE ON KEYSTONE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:

https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-make-your-property-eco-friendly-288

Get your copy of the “How to Improve Your Hospitality Properties Success” ebook?
https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-improve-your-hospitality-properties-success


Get Your INNsider Tips
https://KeystoneHPD.com/INNsider-Tips


Join one of your private groups
https://keystonehpd.com/private-groups


Say hi on social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneHPD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeystoneHPD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-hospitality-development


Listen to The Hospitality Property School PODCAST here
https://www.keystonehpd.com/hospitality-property-school-podcasts


YouTube
https://youtu.be/u1DXI0qjjkw

A Division of Keystone Hospitality Property Development

If you have not done so yet, it is imperative that you are finding ways to improve your hospitality property’s operational performance.

Here are 7 ways to improve operations.

There is always room for improvement in various aspects of a business, whether it is making the right decisions, optimizing work processes, providing higher quality service, or aligning departments and objectives.

The key to providing exceptional customer service, and creating a successful hospitality property business, start with operations at the base. Especially now, as we are hopefully heading to post COVID-19, losing focus or neglecting operations is likely to cause major performance issues.

How does this work, in times when travel is not fully recovered, and staffing levels are not back at what they used to be? Regrettably, this is not the time to sit back and wait for better times - now is the time to take action and make your property stand out.

1. Prioritization

It is easy to get overwhelmed by the number of tasks and opportunities that are always at hand. For this reason, you need to set priorities.

Without establishing the right set of priorities you run the risk of overlooking more important responsibilities that can directly compromise the service quality of your property’s operations.

When looking at your to-do list, the first thing you should do is decide:

“What brings the most value to my guests?”

Then you can start establishing which processes and initiatives constitute building a great guest experience. This can be done on a case-per-case basis that is adaptable to your accommodate.

Continue watching or reading and I’ll share 6 more ways to improve operations…

⇒ TO READ OR LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE ON KEYSTONE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:

https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-use-digital-technology-and-stand-out-286

Get your copy of the “How to Improve Your Hospitality Properties Success” ebook?
https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-improve-your-hospitality-properties-success


Get Your INNsider Tips
https://KeystoneHPD.com/INNsider-Tips


Join one of your private groups
https://keystonehpd.com/private-groups


Say hi on social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneHPD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeystoneHPD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-hospitality-development


Listen to The Hospitality Property School PODCAST here
https://www.keystonehpd.com/hospitality-property-school-podcasts


YouTube
https://youtu.be/sPQCR4t52Bk


A Division of Keystone Hospitality Property Development

By ignoring new technologies, hotels, resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts etc. risk being left behind at a time when standards are increasing dramatically.

A major example of technology becoming standardized in hospitality properties is free Wi-Fi. Just a few years ago, Wi-Fi at properties was considered a unique selling point, but today it’s considered a basic requirement for guests. Booking rooms online, once an innovation, is now normal, and being impressed by large TVs and pay-per-view films are long over with the introduction of Netflix and other multimedia platforms.

Nonetheless, digitalization doesn’t only compel hospitality properties to keep up, it also offers the opportunity for properties to exceed guests’ expectations.

Hoteliers and innkeepers can impress their guests with a whole new era of modernism instead of offering the basic bed in a room.

Today, travellers expect state-of-the-art technology at hospitality properties that is as good as or better than they are used to at home.

What guests experience at home includes much more than just Wi-Fi.
They are used to seamlessly switching between tablets, laptops, and smartphones, listening to music on internet-based platforms or streaming movies or their favourite show on their Ultra HD Smart TV. And as far as communication goes, today, we communicate via Facetime, Skype, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp.

Continue reading or listening and I’ll talk about how to use digital technology…

⇒ TO READ OR LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE ON KEYSTONE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:

https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-use-digital-technology-and-stand-out-286

Get your copy of the “How to Improve Your Hospitality Properties Success” ebook?
https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-improve-your-hospitality-properties-success


Get Your INNsider Tips
https://KeystoneHPD.com/INNsider-Tips


Join one of your private groups
https://keystonehpd.com/private-groups


Say hi on social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneHPD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeystoneHPD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-hospitality-development


Listen to The Hospitality Property School PODCAST here
https://www.keystonehpd.com/hospitality-property-school-podcasts


YouTube
https://youtu.be/9liLIBkSrqE

A Division of Keystone Hospitality Property Development

Pre-COVID-19, travel commonly meant visitors coming from far-away places. 2020 changed all that.

Today, your focus should be on how to attract local guests.

COVID-19 has meant that we either don’t travel or if we do, it’s local. International travel is a thing of the past with no signs of things changing soon.

In the past many property owners and managers did not concentrate on their own backyards and now are paying a pretty serious price for that. The pandemic has made the hospitality property world much smaller

This means that hoteliers and innkeepers need to consider changing their marketing strategy to attract local guests. But how to get this in-demand – sometimes even elusive audience – through the door?

Let’s look at a few strategies to attract local guests.

1. Focus on the off-season

If you’re eager to draw locals to your property you shouldn’t ignore the off-season months and this can be done without spending a ton of effort.

Remember: it’s the offseason for your community, too and chances are locals are itching for a little change of scenery… even if it’s just down the block.

It will help them unwind at a place not so far from home. Selling last-minute deals including vouchers and staycation coupons is a good idea. It’s an effective way to play with the psychology of your guests wherein they get a chance to feel lucky.

Continue reading and I’ll share 6 more ways to attract local guests, right after a word from our sponsor…


Continue listening or reading and I’ll share 18 qualities of a top hotel manager...

⇒ TO READ OR LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE ON KEYSTONE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:

https://keystonehpd.com/7-ways-to-attract-local-guests-285

Get your copy of the “How to Improve Your Hospitality Properties Success” ebook?
https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-improve-your-hospitality-properties-success


Get Your INNsider Tips
https://KeystoneHPD.com/INNsider-Tips


Join one of your private groups
https://keystonehpd.com/private-groups


Say hi on social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneHPD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeystoneHPD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-hospitality-development


Listen to The Hospitality Property School PODCAST here
https://www.keystonehpd.com/hospitality-property-school-podcasts


YouTube
https://youtu.be/RxeIOMrI5mw

A Division of Keystone Hospitality Property Development

A successful manager requires a perfect mixture of skilful hospitality & tight organizational skills, never settling for less than A +.
I’m going to share 18 qualities of a top hotel manager.

In any hospitality property, first impressions are everything.

The way your staff greets and attends to guests can make or break the image of your property. And that goes for a small B & B or inn to a thousand room hotel.

The secret of any successful hospitality property lies in its manager, pulling all the strings not only in the front of the house but also behind the scenes. And just to be clear, if you are a one-person operation – you are the manager.
If your personality is a perfect mixture of skilful hospitality and tight organizational skills, then being the manager at a hospitality property might be an invigorating and fulfilling career.

While some qualities of a successful manager may seem natural, such as composure, patience, being a "people person," and leadership, most hoteliers/innkeepers will tell you that a lot of blood, sweat and tears are involved in being in that position.

The role of a manager is an incredibly varied one with no two days ever the same. While this does make the role a hugely inspiring and motivating one, it also means that success requires a very broad set of skills.

Continue listening or reading and I’ll share 18 qualities of a top hotel manager...

⇒ TO READ OR LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE ON KEYSTONE HOSPITALITY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT:

https://keystonehpd.com/18-qualities-of-a-top-hotel-manager-284

Get your copy of the “How to Improve Your Hospitality Properties Success” ebook?
https://keystonehpd.com/how-to-improve-your-hospitality-properties-success


Get Your INNsider Tips
https://KeystoneHPD.com/INNsider-Tips


Join one of your private groups
https://keystonehpd.com/private-groups


Say hi on social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeystoneHPD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeystoneHPD

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-hospitality-development


Listen to The Hospitality Property School PODCAST here
keystonehpd.com/hospitality-property-school-podcasts


YouTube
https://youtu.be/7zXh3mpeEh4

A Division of Keystone Hospitality Property Development