Hiring a Hotel Digital Agency

With 70% of travellers booking their next hotel stay online, building a state-of-the-art digital presence is key to staying competitive. It’s not just about looking great. Your website should provide personalised, engaging experiences across all touch-points to truly connect and convert potential travellers. This is where a specialised travel and hotel digital agency partner is needed. 

With a team of industry experts, a partner will help you build a website and digital strategy that follows best practices and is optimised to deliver strong ROI. However, with numerous hotel digital agency partners to choose from, determining who to trust with your next project can be a tough decision.

The Role of a Hotel Digital Agency 

Hotels face mounting pressure to establish a compelling online presence. The hospitality industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the rise of online booking platforms, social media, and review websites. With the average hotel website conversion rate hovering at around just 1.5-2.5%, digital teams must adapt their marketing strategies to stay competitive and attract guests. 

With expertise unique to the hospitality and travel sector, and the challenges faced, specialised digital agencies help hotels and travel brands create and maintain a strong online presence. 

A digital agency plays a vital role in enhancing a hotel’s online presence by providing a range of services, including:

• Website design and development: Creating a visually appealing and user-friendly website that showcases amenities, services, and rooms and allows customers to book their own bespoke travel experience. 
• Digital marketing: Developing and implementing effective digital marketing campaigns to increase online visibility, drive traffic, and boost bookings.
• Strategy and road mapping: Helping brands to understand their opportunities for digital growth and devising a plan to help them get there. 

Benefits of Partnering with a Hotel Digital Agency

Partnering with a hotel digital agency can bring numerous benefits to your business, including:

• Expert industry advice: Working with a digital agency with specific expertise in the travel sector can help to give you tailored solutions informed directly by the market.
• Save Money: A hotel digital agency that has worked with multiple brands shows they have seen the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to creating digital experiences in your field! An experienced team can bring a wealth of experience to your project, understanding best practices, so you don’t have to waste money on trial and error. 
• Save Time With Technical expertise: Building and optimising websites for global travel brands takes a lot of technical knowledge and understanding. As a result, collaborating with skilled professionals who possess the necessary training and experience to develop intricate, high-converting websites can significantly save time and conserve resources for brands.

How to Choose the Right Agency for Your Business

Industry Expertise and Experience

A hotel digital agency with extensive experience in the hospitality and travel sector is vital. They should have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that hotels and travel brands face. Look for agencies that have worked with similar brands and have a proven track record of success. 

Review Their Portfolio and Case Studies

Examining a hotel digital agency’s portfolio and case studies can provide valuable insight into their capabilities and the quality of their work. Look for examples of websites they’ve designed and developed, and campaigns they’ve executed. Pay attention to the results they’ve achieved for their clients and whether they’ve met their objectives. Why not have a look at our work for some inspiration?

Assess Their Services and Capabilities

Consider the services and capabilities that the agency offers. Are they able to support your existing systems and technology? With technology advancements such as the use of AI in digital marketing, can they successfully support your organisation with implementing cutting-edge technology? Ensure they offer the services that align with your objectives and can support your digitised customer experience initiatives.

Evaluate Their Team and Culture

The team and culture of the hotel digital agency are just as important as their services and capabilities. Look for an agency with a team that is passionate about the hospitality industry and has an understanding of your target audience. Check out their team or people page as a starting point, then have a look at their social channels. It’s also a good idea to book a discovery call to assess their communication style and whether they’re responsive to your needs. 

Check for Certifications and Awards

Certifications and awards can be a good indicator of a hotel digital agency’s expertise and quality of work. Look for agencies that are certified by reputable organisations. As Sitecore partners, we take this very seriously with many of our staff also winning Sitecore MVP titles. Also, check if they’ve won any awards for their work in the hospitality industry.

Request References and Testimonials

Ask for references and testimonials from the agency’s previous clients. This will give you a good idea of their level of service, quality of work, and ability to meet deadlines. 

Pricing and ROI 

Finally, evaluate the hotel digital agency’s pricing and ROI (Return on Investment). While it’s tempting to opt for the most affordable option, consider the value that the agency can bring to your brand. Look for agencies that are willing to work with you to achieve your objectives.

Ready to make your Decision?

Selecting the right hotel digital agency can be a challenging task, but by following these guidelines, you can make an informed decision that meets your needs and objectives. Remember to look for travel industry expertise and experience, review their case studies, and evaluate their pricing and ROI. With the right agency, you can create a winning online presence that drives bookings and revenue for your hotel. 

We’ve worked within the travel industry for the last 20 years with brands from Red Carnation Hotels to Contiki and SkiWeekends. A superior website design and robust digital marketing strategy are the keys to attracting and retaining guests. 

We are a leading Sitecore Agency with over 100 website builds and a Platinum Partnership status.  We would love to help you with our extensive range of our experience and expertise to build an elite hotel website experience. If you would like us to help you take your hotel brand to the next level, contact us today.