Bali's tourism industry continues to grow, with more and more hotels, villas, and glamping in Bali offering unique experiences for tourists. Unfortunately, not all properties can enjoy high occupancy rates. Many small hotel owners or property managers are confused as to why bookings are still low, even though the location and facilities are supportive.
One of the main causes is a mistake in digital strategy. In the era of everything online, ignorance about online sales and digital marketing can leave your hotel far behind.
Here are 5 digital mistakes hotels in Bali often make, along with solutions to overcome them:
1. Not Using Hotel eCommerce Services Professionally
Many hotels still rely on internal staff without digital skills to manage OTAs, websites, and other distribution channels. In fact, competition is getting tougher, and a mature eCommerce strategy is needed so that your property continues to appear on the top page.
Solution: Use hotel eCommerce services in Bali that are experienced in optimizing OTA performance, creating dynamic pricing strategies, and increasing direct bookings. For example, a team like ecommerceloka can be a digital partner that helps small hotels compete in the global market.
2. Hotel Websites Are Not SEO-Friendly and Difficult to Access
Many hotels still have slow websites, are not mobile-friendly, or are not even updated. This makes potential guests reluctant to make direct bookings and prefer other OTAs.
Solution: Build or improve your hotel website so that it is SEO-ready and easily accessible via smartphone. Optimize speed, navigation, and booking forms.
3. Not Actively Managing Online Reviews and Ratings
Guest reviews greatly influence the decisions of potential future guests. Many hotels are indifferent to bad ratings or do not respond to reviews, both on Google and OTAs.
Solution: Make reviews part of your eCommerce strategy. Reply to every review, both positive and negative, and use feedback to improve service.
4. Room Descriptions That Are Not Selling Well
Room descriptions on OTAs are often just copy-pasted, too short, and do not arouse emotions. In fact, descriptions are one of the weapons to "sell" the experience of staying.
Solution: Write informative and interesting room descriptions. Include highlights such as “perfect for honeymoon”, “view of rice fields directly from the balcony”, or “glamping in Bali with outdoor bathtub”.
5. Not Having a Dynamic Pricing Strategy
Static room rates can make your hotel less competitive. Many hotels do not adjust rates during high or low seasons.
Solution: Use a dynamic pricing strategy with tools such as a channel manager or assistance from an eCommerce service team so that prices are always competitive.
If your hotel bookings are quiet even though you already have good facilities, try evaluating the digital strategy you are running. Sometimes, the solution is not a major renovation, but simply by improving the eCommerce strategy.
For those of you who need a professional partner in managing digital strategies and online distribution, ecommerceloka is here as a hotel eCommerce service in Bali that is ready to help increase the performance of your property from OTA, website, to social media management.