Matt sits down with Michael Fitzsimmons, VP of Growth at Mews. 
They dive into why a hotel’s website is much more than just a place for booking, it's your digital front door, the first impression, the first experience and essentially the business card of the property. 

They explore how a strong, well-designed online presence can make all the difference in converting casual browsers into loyal, paying guests, and why investing in your hotels digital storefront is no longer a nice to have, it's key for growth in competitive markets. 

Check out the previous episode on website strategies and direct bookings - https://hubs.ly/Q03lNLfr0

#hoteltech #websitedesign #hotelwebsites #hotelmanagment #hospitality #hospitalitypodcast 

0:00 - Introduction to Hotel Websites  
0:51 - Michael Fitzsimmons' Background  
1:52 - Personal Travel Booking Journey  
3:05 - Importance of SEO in Hotel Discovery  
4:23 - The Evolving Role of Hotel Websites  
5:36 - Website Goals: Conversion vs. Information  
9:11 - Hiring for Hotel Digital Strategy  
11:36 - User-Friendly Website Platforms 
12:56 - Impact of AI on SEO and Website Traffic  
14:48 - Identifying Relevant Topics for Travelers  
16:37 - Analyzing Engagement Metrics  
18:09 - Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality  
20:50 - The Role of Influencers in Hotel Marketing  
21:47 - Aligning Brand and Guest Experience  
23:19 - The Value of Chatbots in Customer Engagement  
25:18 - Determining Advertising Budgets  
27:57 - Exploring Cost-Free Growth Channels  
28:51 - Leveraging Personal Platforms for Engagement  
30:04 - Empathy in Content Creation  
31:11 - Addressing Booking Abandonment  
32:35 - Building Direct Relationships with Guests  
34:54 - Utilizing CRM for Guest Retention  
37:48 - Memorable Hotel Experiences