Today it has never been more important for B&B’s to not only have a website but to have one that is able to take bookings and payments instantly.
For example: We know that over 50% of people are making all, or most, of their accommodation bookings online. And even if your property is listed on travel websites such as Expedia, LateRooms and Booking.com, you still need a good website because over 35% of people who see you on a travel website will visit your own website before they make a booking. They do this for two reasons, firstly reassurance and information, they want to make sure you have all the facilities they want and to find out more about you. Secondly to check your prices, this means there is a good chance you can get them to book on your site, which is totally commission free. This is something commonly known as the billboard effect.
With this information in mind we analysed the websites of 500 B&B’s and hotels across the UK and Ireland to see how they were doing, and the results were startling:
- 20% of B&B’s DO NOT have a working website!
Without a website you are missing out on a huge number of guests. The internet has changed the way people book and now 74% of people would be put off booking a B&B if they didn’t have a website.
It’s one of the most important parts of your business.
- 66% of B&B websites can’t take bookings and payments online!
We live in a world of instant gratification and most guests want to be able to book and pay right now, with 56% of people saying they would be put off booking with you if they had to call or email. This figure rises to 70% for the under 35’s who will simply book elsewhere if they cannot book instantly.
The worrying part is that the majority of B&B’s have not enabled their website for online payment and are turning away hundreds of bookings every year.
- 69% of B&B websites are not mobile responsive!
65% of same day reservations are made via smart phones! So your guests have to be able to use your website on a mobile device like an iPhone or Android. Your website needs to work just as well on a small 4” screen as it does on your laptop otherwise you’re missing out on the majority of same-day bookers and all the other customers that book via mobile.
These three big stats show us that, B&B’s have a long way to go to take full advantage of the power of online bookings. But those that do will have a real advantage over the competition and will generate more bookings, because guests want to book online, with you, right now!