When building a website for your hotel, you want to do everything you can to help it show up in search results. That’s where SEO comes in. There are many ways to help your website SEO, such as optimizing for faster load times or adding more helpful content to the pages. 

These factors may seem a bit random at first, but you’ll see how each one can make or break the ranking of your hotel’s website. Remember that just as we keep guest experience at the front of hospitality, we must also keep users top of mind when it comes to the online experience.

How Does SEO Work?

Google presents results to search queries in the order they think is best. When you search for something, Google provides what it thinks is the most relevant result first. The algorithm Google uses to determine who ranks on top is both very complicated and secretive. As the way that people use search changes, so does Google’s algorithm to give searchers the best results.

Top 5 SEO Ranking Factors

While it’s hard to say how much weight different factors have, some are universally accepted as having an impact on your ranking. Here are five of the top SEO ranking factors in 2021:

• Relevant and Quality Content: Google rewards content that answers users’ questions. Your content should be in-depth enough to where searchers feel satisfied with what you provided and don’t click off to another site. This means you should include as much information about your rooms, amenities, prices, and availability.

Tip: To ensure you’re answering users’ search queries, think about whether your content will resonate with your target audience. Research what kind of content travelers are looking for, and make sure to use that information on your website.

• Keyword Strategy: Keywords are a great tool that helps Google match your content with the right search queries. You should research and implement keywords throughout your content to maximize your ranking.

Tip: Try to include your keyword within the first 100 words of your content. When the target keyword shows up earlier in the content, you rank higher.

• Loading speed: A site that loads quicker will perform better than a site that takes forever. Fast loading sites keep users longer and have a lower bounce rate. Your visitors are trying to book a room, not stare at a loading screen. 

Tip: Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to get a better understanding of how fast your pages are loading so you can make informed changes to your site.

• Quality Backlinks: A backlink is when a link to your site appears on another website. The reputable and high-authority the other site is, the higher Google will rank you in search results.

Tip: Pay attention to what sites are linking to your website. Make sure they have a good reputation and are relevant to travel and the hospitality industry.

• Mobile Friendliness: Did you know that around 50% of searches are made from a mobile device? This means that having a mobile-friendly website is a must. Inspiration may hit travelers at any moment, and you need to stay ready. 

Tip: If you’re not sure whether your site is mobile-friendly, you can use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to find out.

Optimizing Your Hotel’s Website

Implementing the top 5 ranking factors is a great way to optimize your hotel’s website and boost your ranking. At Travel Media Group, we know hoteliers are busy running their properties and don’t have the available time it takes to create a fully optimized website.

However, the professionals at Travel Media Group can build a responsive website for your hotel. You’ll get custom pages, including a photo gallery to showcase your property. Plus, you’ll rank higher with SEO optimization and attract more traffic to your site. With direct booking capabilities, you’ll be earning more commission-free reservations. Why wait to be found on the third page of Google? Contact Travel Media Group today to find out how your hotel’s website can rank higher.