For the past years, Google Maps has undoubtedly been a practical tool for everyone. For millions of phones, tablets, automobiles, and smart wearables, Google Maps has long been the go-to navigation tool. If you think about it, Google Maps has revolutionized the way people travel and interact with new cities. In the past, GPS devices were pricey, hard to use and pretty much useless unless you were in a car.
While most people are accustomed to using Google Maps to navigate from point A to point B, there are a number of multitool-like features that are worth emphasizing. Google has developed capabilities that allow you to save your favorite places, share your location with others, and receive personalized recommendations over time.
Google Hotels for hoteliers and property managers is a practical tool that you can use for your hotel in order to maximize your popularity, increase revenue as well your online visibility.
So, in this article, we will dive deeper into Google Maps for hotels and share useful tips and advice regarding how to make your hotel successful and easy to find through Google and other search engines. Keep reading!
Google Maps for Hotels: An Introduction
With travel companies spending a lot of money on Google ads and the word “hotels” appearing in the top 100 most popular keyword searches, Google is more motivated than ever to get a piece of the action. As previously mentioned, nowadays the benefits of using this tool for hoteliers and property managers are more than obvious.
This is because Google Maps is widely used by tourists while traveling in order to plan and find routes, book a hotel, find a bar or restaurant, and main attractions of a place.
Also, for some time now, Google has been adding the reservations function directly from the search results. Thanks to Google Maps, it is possible to search not only for streets and monuments but also to find places to stay, eat, engage in various activities and much more things to include in trip planning.
On Google Maps, hotel listings no longer resemble other locations. From top to bottom, the entire layout has been altered. The emphasis is on what you’d expect from a hotel — reservations, reviews, and how wonderful of a location it is — rather than what you’d expect from ordinary Maps locations.
The price per night is now shown in a lovely blue box above the image carousel, and the primary action icons have been updated. They are not only different, but they also feature a new design. In addition, two new tabs have been added to the main menu. Now, there is a specific tab for the location as well as the hotel’s facilities, in addition to the overview, reviews, rates, and images.
How To Add My Hotel On Google Maps
Firstly, it is important that your hotel appears in the Google maps app. And, in order to create your own point on the map, you must register with Google My Business.
Google My Business is a free Google platform that assists local companies in increasing their internet visibility. It’s a combination of a company directory and a social networking site.
In other words, when someone searches for something on Google with a local purpose, such as “hotels in London,” local business listings appear. On the result page, there’s a wealth of information about the hotel, including the address, contact info, reviews, and links to the hotel’s website and Google page.
Holding the mouse over one of the results expands its details in the right section of the screen and provides driving directions to the property. To summarize, every hotel should consider building a Google Business Profile in order to stay competitive online.
Note that your hotel’s information and management data are verified using Google Business Profile which is a free business tool that identifies the owner of the hotel. You (or someone you select) can also utilize a Business Profile to edit your Google look, receive important notifications from Google, and reply to user reviews and images.
So, let’s now check the step-by-step process for adding your hotel to Google Maps for Hotels!
- Go to Google Business and create your own business profile. You can use an existing Google account (e.g., Gmail, Analytics) or create a new one. After you’ve signed in, you’ll see a screen inviting you to create a Google My Business Page.
- In the “Create Profile” page add your business’s name and category. Then, add the location of your hotel.
- To easily locate your hotel, you should enter your address, updates and recommendations, and phone number. It’s still possible that Google has produced a page for your hotel based on data supplied by third-party websites about you. If that’s the case, choose your hotel from the list and claim it. If not, continue the process that will allow you to fill in your information.
- Fill in your information in the new window. Before you submit it, double-check that it is completely factual and that you have chosen the correct category. You won’t be able to update this information until the verification process is complete, or you’ll have to start over from the beginning.
- Then, continue by submitting your information. The page will ask you to confirm that you are authorized to handle this business and will then establish a Google+ page for it. You’ll see a preview of the postcard that will contain the verification code for your hotel’s new Google+ Business Profile when you confirm.
- To complete the process, you must first get the postcard and then follow the attached instructions. In most cases, you must return to Google with a PIN code.
- When you’re done, a checkmark will display next to your company’s name on your Business page. That’s all; your hotel is now listed on Google My Business, where you can see all of your information in one spot, including your location, reviews, circles, followers, and images. Your information will be displayed in Google Maps, Google Search, and Google Plus.
- You also have a Google+ Business page, and while some of it won’t be available until your hotel is verified, you can start filling in your details – add images, videos, a virtual tour, working hours, post updates, attract customers, and add an appealing description.
In case you need more information visit the Guide for Hotels provided by Google.
Tips on Google My Business
It is important to fill in all the detailed information about your hotel: email, telephone contacts, photos, exact location, link to your website, etc. Also, make sure the map is verified by Google remembering to enter the code that will arrive by postcard from Google to complete the verification process and make the structure visible to everyone.
Another important aspect is the images of your hotel. Meaning that you have to insert those that make the structure recognizable and rename them before inserting them. This facilitates the research of Google robots.
Once the map is published, it is advisable to verify user interactions with the installation, by logging into Google My Business. In general, it is a valid tool for monitoring user clicks on your hotel’s information, map views, and website visitors. This allows you to improve the marketing strategy and promotion of your business.
It is good to keep in mind that the position in Google search is also determined by reviews that users leave, so it is advisable to send them links for review after their stay. And, it is a way to get your property in search engine position.
You can also find more tips on Google My Business on this article published by WordStream.
Google Hotel Ads
Once you’ve shared your pricing and completed the registration process, free booking links will appear in your listings. In general, Hotel Ads is a Google Ads feature built specifically for hoteliers’ needs.
In other words, paid links broaden your popularity, increase visitors and reservations to your website. However, your advertising strategy will be determined by the size of your hotel, your budget, and your target market. The ads are designed to allow you to target specific travelers, build your own ads, and deliver your message directly to travelers in order to increase reservations.
With the option “Book a Room“, people can book their stay directly at the establishment, avoiding Online Travel Agency commissions. Also, if you already use the Google Hotel Ads app, there are no additional costs for this feature.
Google Hotel Ads also has other benefits: it allows hoteliers to have engaging interaction with guests as they will be in direct contact with their customers throughout the booking process. In addition, hoteliers will have access to guests’ email addresses in order to send the booking confirmation.
If you do not use Google Hotel Ads and you choose not to activate the “Book on Google” button on the Google Maps map, the platform will in any case make prices and links to OTAs visible to users from which reservations can be made.
Finally, keep in mind that in this period of Covid-19, Google Ads will not charge commissions before the end of the stay.
If you want to find out more information about how you can increase your bookings through Google Hotel Ads you can check this article on Revfine.
Google My Business: Benefits for Hoteliers
Google has started to personalize search results based on a person’s Google+ connections, which is an interesting fact. This means that if someone has your hotel in their circles and conducts a local search relating to your business, you are more likely to appear higher in the results than someone who is not connected to you on Google+.
Remember, Google is ruling the Internet landscape for better or worse, and Google Plus is the place for small and big-sized businesses.
Google, like TripAdvisor, now offers a “hybrid metasearch” solution. To put it another way, all hoteliers prefer direct booking to the commissions charged by OTAs (like Booking or Expedia). If your hotel has a booking button on its website (linked to a channel manager), you can link it to the Book on Google button, which allows you to book directly from Google search results.
If you’re currently using Google Hotel Ads, you won’t have to pay anything extra to set up the Book on Google function. However, if you deliver acquisitions using the CPA (cost per acquisition) model, Google will either charge you a commission of 12 to 15% or charge you with the CPC (cost per click) model.
In the near future, positive ratings on your Google + business page may look to be as significant as TripAdvisor rankings. Now that your Google+ ratings are more prominent in search results, your Google+ reputation could be an unexpected sales and conversion enhancer.
So, consider your Google+ Business page to be the landing page for many travelers who will find you through local searches. Add photographs, videos, reviews, fascinating postings, keyword-rich descriptions, and material to make the most of this platform’s features. Check this step-by-step guide that can help you increase your visibility and online popularity significantly.
Important Changes to Keep in Mind in Google Maps for your Hotel
In the new version of Google Maps Hotels, the overview tab has experienced the greatest changes. Everything has been restructured to place a greater emphasis on the hotel listing features.
The new design reorganizes the content and adds/removes sections. Booking rates have been moved to the top, followed by a new shortcut to access price insights and similar hotels nearby, with the phone number and location appearing only after scrolling that far.
Following that, some information about the surroundings and location is offered, followed by a preview of the amenities, and finally, the images are included at the conclusion.
Furthermore, you may access a new area for price insights by tapping Compare market prices below the different booking sites and costs per night. Multiple graphs are included for comparing your hotel’s pricing to that of similar hotels, determining the best time to book, and analyzing the price based on historical data.
The review tab has also been completely revamped. The histogram of 1 to 5-star ratings is now hidden but extendable, and guests’ reviews are now only an icon on the top right instead of taking up a lot of vertical space. The main focus is on the overall score, which includes sub-scores for rooms, location, and service. Scores for couples and solitary travelers are now shown by new icons.
The new location tab contains information on your hotel’s surroundings and accessibility. The first tab contains information on the place, as well as a score based on the proximity of things to do, public transportation, and the airport. The second provides a list of neighboring attractions, while the third provides easy access to directions and duration from the airport or other sites of entry.
The new design replaces it with a genuine About tab, which includes a description of your hotel, a list of amenities, as well as information on accessible features, services and highlights, lodging alternatives, payments, and the number of people who frequent your hotel.
Lastly, there are three drop-downs to filter all photographs in the photos area. You can select what you want to see (amenities, rooms, food and beverages, exterior), who you want to see it from (visitors or hotel), and whether you want images just or 360-degree views. For your potential guests, this looks cleaner and is easier to navigate.
Make the Most out of your Vacant Retail Space with Stasher
As we all know, covid lockdowns have undoubtedly damaged many industries including the tourism and hospitality industry. Unprecedented numbers of travel-related and hospitality firms have shut down permanently.
However, several forward-thinking businesses have successfully altered their services to keep their doors open. These hotels and other tourism-related businesses have discovered a new source of money that they can rely on so as not to lose their profit. Furthermore, they were not required to pay any money upfront!
In fact, both Property Managers and guests may find luggage storage to be difficult to handle. For this reason, Stasher’s worldwide luggage storage network helps hotels and other businesses to make money from their vacant retail space as well as enrich their services.
Note that more than 2,500 small business owners, restaurants, hotels, property owners, and real estate managers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries have transformed their empty space into revenue and became Stasher hosts.
Every day, more businesses are realizing that simply converting a few square meters of their space into a luggage storage facility may generate a considerable revenue stream. It’s worth noting that Stasher has locations in over 250 cities across the world and pays a commission on every booking you make.
Click here to find more information about our affiliate program or to partner with us!
What Your Hotel can Gain by Partnering with Stasher
There are many hoteliers and property managers that chose to transform their spare space into secure luggage storage facilities in order to earn semi-passive income.
In general, it has always been difficult for businesses in the hospitality industry to monetize their empty space. As a result, several hotels have taken advantage of their low occupancy rates and joined with Stasher to boost their profitability, especially now as the tourism industry recovers. Apart from increasing your hotel’s profit and popularity, you can also expand your hotel’s services.
Stasher allows travelers to schedule short-term luggage storage using a simple web form. If a traveler chooses your hotel, Stasher’s automatic system will send you an alert right away.
All your employees will have to do is collect the bags when they arrive, store them safely, and deliver them to their owners when they return for pickup. You devote only a few minutes of your time in exchange for a big fee on your underutilized space. Your spot will be listed for free, and you will be paid on a monthly basis into your bank account.
Note that regardless of size or weight, Stasher charges the same price per item. Meaning that guests with large suitcases, musical instruments, or athletic equipment would find it convenient to store their valued items at your hotel for a standard price. Moreover, many of Stasher’s storage locations are open late or provide 24-hour service as an added bonus which you can also use for your hotel.
Lastly, keep in mind that just 20 square feet of unoccupied space can generate up to $20k in additional cash for your company. So, Stasher is one practical way that you can use for your hotel in order to make the most out of Google Maps for Hotels!
You can find out more information right here!
Hi! I am George and I am the Content Lead for Stasher.com. I love travel, writing, making music and meeting new and interesting people.