Your hotel mobile app will pay for itself
Most hotel businesses today are aware that their customers are rapidly moving from desktop to mobile while planning their travels online. In our previous blog we explained the key reasons why mobile apps are quickly replacing websites and their mobile versions. When it comes to the hospitality industry, large hotels are usually more open to the idea of investing in their own hotel app and embrace the latest in technology. However, their smaller counterparts have been rather hesitant, and for good reason! Democratizing business mobile apps! A question that bothers most small to midsized hoteliers is that app building costs a fortune and hence they cannot afford it. While it is true that a few years back apps were a luxury where everything was done from scratch and requirements, which involved design, coding, testing and content, used to result in huge fees. But today companies like Appynitty Communications have democratized business mobile apps. They have enabled businesses of any segment and size to have a mobile app of their own at a fraction of cost and development time. These apps, for instance StayiinnAppy for hospitality industry, comes with custom designed complete with brand logos, personalized welcome screens, images, videos and content. They also give hotel the complete freedom to “own” their app with the ability to send custom push notifications for promotional and guest alert purposes. Your hotel mobile app is more of a quick return investment than just another expense Another question that smaller independent hotels usually tend to ask a question – “With less than 50 rooms, do I really need to spend on an app?” The answer to that question is a calculated “YES”! As far as spending or rather investing goes, your hotel mobile app will eventually pay for itself in a rather short period of time. Infact, hotel business is one industry where the value of a single lead is much higher than most others. Here are a few ways your hotel app can make a big difference by directly increasing your revenue.
1.) Get more room bookings Your own hotel mobile app will give your brand a permanent presence in consumer phones. It acts as silent, but constant reminder that your hotel must be the place to stay in their next trip. This is also backed by studies that show that people don’t just spend more time in apps, they also tend to not search for services online if they already have an option handy. This saves your hotel from having to compete with several online listings, especially in third-party portals where you even need to pay a commission for every booking.
2.) Make more money from hotel services Your hotel mobile app doesn’t just stop at getting you more room bookings. In-house services like restaurants, spas, room fridge snacks and several more are the least appreciated money-makers for your hotel. In several cases customers take none or less interest in these services because they are not reminded of them even if they had seen in your marketing brochure. Mobile apps have a unique functionality that allows accurately targeted marketing – push notification. Your app can send automated push notifications to guests after check-in to remind them about restaurant discounts, special offers for a spa massage or any other services that you provide. When customers are aware, they are also much more likely to buy!
3.) Unlimited media space Most websites or apps that are room booking portals will offer you very limited space to showcase your hotel. On the other hand, your mobile app has unlimited space for you to provide virtual tours to impress consumers with HD videos, images and promotional texts. Apps like StayiinnAppy even provides integrated Google Maps to help your guests navigate to your hotel location.
4.) Get more recurring sales from repeat customers and referrals Mobile apps by nature have the ability to capture critical customer information which can drastically improve your database for re-marketing. But that’s not it. Push notifications play an excellent role in sending promotional alerts to past guests and ensure their return. Targeted re-marketing efforts are a great way to receive recurring or referral business from the same customers.
