How to optimise your hotel website to increase wedding bookings
With the average wedding now costing a whopping £20,5001, it comes as no surprise that the planning and research phase in the lead up to a wedding is arguably the most important. As soon as the question has been popped, it’s straight onto the next most important piece of business- the venue. A strong internet presence is crucial as couples will begin researching potential vendors online and will only get in touch with those who make the cut. We’ve pulled together the 5 simple design tips to optimise your hotel website.
1. Clean and simple design
The beauty of clean web design is not only the simplicity of the layout, but it’s functionality must remain highly efficient too. Clustered design should be avoided at all costs as it leaves users frustrated and unable to distinguish the pinnacle elements of where you want them to visit on your site.
2. Responsive design
Responsive design is more important than ever since more people are using their mobile phones and tablets to browse the internet. In fact, more than half of Google’s searches now come from mobile devices2.
The idea behind responsive design is that each website visitor will have the same site experience no matter what device or screen size they are using. For example, a small screen can have content presented in a single column forum while a wide screen can have this same content in a multiple column design.
Responsive design for mobile devices
3. Use real imagery
Imagery is the most effective way to promote your wedding venue and really capture your target audience. Avoid using cheesy stock images, they are ineffective and they’ll do more damage than good! Images of previous weddings held in your hotel are a great way to showcase your venue, providing you have permission from the couples/photographer to use their photos. Potential customers will appreciate a real wedding much more than a staged one.
4. Ease of use & clear communication
Clear communication is one of the most important aspects of your website. When potential wedding couples visit your site, they want to obtain information on everything you can provide and the costs. Photos, videos and audios are all great means of communicating your venue’s potential online, while also getting across all the important facts like how many guests you can hold etc. One of the main queries couples will have is if their preferred wedding date is available. An efficient, easy to fill inquiry form in an optimized position on your site, saves the need for visitors to email or phone your venue. The Culloden Estate & Spa do this very well - See their 'Wedding Availability' checker that they feature on their wedding page:
Wedding availability checker at the Culloden
5. Effective call to actions
Probably the most significant part of your website in directing users to carry out a specific action, a great CTA is a great way to increase conversion rates on your site. Placing CTA’s in the optimum location, ensuring they are bold and stand out, using the right colours and action oriented text are all good practices to bear in mind to improve your CTA performance.
Optimizing your hotel wedding venue website should be top of every hotel marketer’s to do list. Your website is very often the first point of contact potential couples have with your venue, which is why you need to make a positive impression and provide an enjoyable, problem free experience.
Has your website ever received criticism and if so what changes have you made to fix it? Leave your feedback below!
Sources:
1Money Saving Expert
2brand watch
