Intro
A hotel website is much more than just a digital brochure in today’s competitive hospitality market. It’s a powerful sales tool, a brand ambassador and is often the first impression that guests have of your hotel.
This article discusses the most common mistakes made in web design, content, and conversions and provides solutions that will help you improve your website’s conversions and increase your online presence by 2025.
The Technical Foundations: Security, Mobility, and Speed
Studies Websites that take longer to load than three seconds are associated with a significantly higher rate of bounce. Many hotel websites use outdated booking engines or large uncompressed images that slow down the site. Compressing your images using WebP or other modern formats can help speed up the site and increase customer retention.
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Optimize for Mobile Devices
Over two-thirds of bookings in Asia come from mobile devices. Websites that are not fully responsive or hard to navigate on small screens lose potential revenue. That’s why mobile-first design, with thumb-friendly buttons and simple booking steps, is extremely important. For exampleSeveral hotel groups reported a 20 percent increase in mobile bookings when they made the navigation easier.
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Secure Your Site with Certificates
Security warnings scare off potential guests. Still, many hotel websites in CIS countries don’t have proper SSL/TLS certificates. By automating certificate renewals and ensuring all third-party widgets use secure protocols, hotels can prevent browser alerts and build trust with visitors.
User Experience: Navigation, Booking Engine, and Scarcity Signals
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Create Clear, Intuitive Navigation
Confusing menus make visitors give up. Research Many hotel websites hide important information, such as room rates, under a multitude of clicks. Sticky menus that include persistent tabs for “Room Rates”, “Special Deals”, and other information help guests quickly find the information they are looking for.
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Integrate the Booking Engine
Booking engines that direct guests to other pages or have a different look from the main website can lead to lost reservations. Booking widgets that show real-time availability, and match the style of the website, make the process easier. For exampleSome hotels increased bookings by 30% or more after investing in an online booking engine.
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Use genuine scarcity signals
Only 1 room is left! Trust is damaged when there are many rooms available. The synchronization of scarcity cues and PMS data creates urgency, encourages bookings, and does not push guests away.
Content Strategy: Localization & Visuals
Travelers want to read and see content in their native language. They also want prices displayed in their own currency. Geolocated content with currency switching and payment information that is based on guests’ location improves the user experience and increases conversion rates.
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Use High-Quality Visuals
Professional photos matter. According to the studyHotels that display more than 20 photos of high quality per room can see an increase in bookings up to 136%. Photos can help guests to imagine their stay. They are also more willing to spend more when they see them. Video tours and virtual walksthroughs can further engage visitors and increase their interest.
Make Your Hotel Website Stand Out
Even with an easy-to use website, it takes creativity to standout in crowded market. Here’s how you can make your property stand out.
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Create Location-Specific guides
Create free guides to help guests with their problems.
City hotels: Offer downloadable PDFs like “5 Hidden Cafés Locals Love“Weekend Walking Tour Map.”
Beach resortsShare guides about Enjoy sunsets, family fun, and snorkeling at these spots.
Example: The addition of a “24 Hours In BakuGuide with Metro tips and Restaurant Highlights
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Highlight what makes you different
Many hotel websites use similar words, such as “luxurious”, “excellent service” etc. Instead, focus on what makes your property special.
Heritage propertiesShare the history of a building in a video.
Eco-resortsShow certificates like Earth Check or Green Key, and explain to guests how they support the local community.
Boutique hotelsIntroduce your staff with an activity such as “Meet Our Chef”.
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Leverage Local Partnerships
You can often get guests to book your tours by partnering with others. Share deals with local businesses.
Mountain hotelsPromoting private hiking guides by offering lunch packs.
City hotelsPartner with museums to get skip-the line tickets
Enjoy your stay at one of our ResortsOffer spa packages at a discounted price when combined with nearby dining.
You can also read our conclusion.
The technical performance of your website is important, but creativity will bring you true success. Unique content and personalized experiences combined with genuine local partnerships can transform your site from a simple booking tool into much more. These elements help you to engage your guests, create excitement and build loyalty. To make your hotel more appealing and to attract more guests, focus on these elements.
Exely specializes in creating hotel websites which combine conversion strategies and memorable branding. No matter what you choose, we can help. template site The following are some examples of how to use custom developmentWe make sure that your site captures the unique spirit and character of your property.
Anna Belash
Chief Marketing Officer
Exely
