As competition in hospitality increases and reliance on OTAs grows, more hoteliers are looking for smart ways to boost direct bookings and improve their hotel website performance. We’ve compiled the most frequently searched questions from hoteliers and answered them in a simple, practical way.
Whether you’re managing an independent hotel or part of a group, these tips will help you improve your visibility, increase conversions, and get more out of your marketing efforts.
Most Searched Hotelier Questions (and Our Answers)
1. How can I increase direct bookings at my hotel?
To increase direct bookings:
- Optimise your hotel website for mobile and speed.
- Highlight best rate guarantees and exclusive perks (like free upgrades or early check-in).
- Use personalised offers via tools like Userguest to target specific guest segments.
- Invest in retargeting ads and email marketing to bring back abandoned visitors.
- Make your booking engine seamless, clear, and easy to use in just a few clicks.
Bonus Tip: Tools like Userguest use data to show the right message to the right user at the right time, converting more lookers into bookers.
2. Why is my hotel getting a lot of website traffic but not bookings?
This usually means there’s a conversion problem. Check for:
- Slow loading times or poor mobile experience.
- Confusing navigation or too many steps in the booking process.
- No clear incentives to book direct.
- A booking engine that opens in a new tab or looks visually disconnected.
- Lack of trust signals (reviews, secure checkout, contact info).
Consider using exit intent pop-ups or dynamic banners that guide guests toward booking, especially for returning visitors or those hesitating.
3. What makes a good hotel website?
A good hotel website:
- Loads fast (under 3 seconds).
- Is mobile-first.
- Includes professional photography and video.
- Clearly communicates value propositions (location, unique amenities, offers).
- Has a visible “Book Now” button on every page.
- Integrates with your PMS/CRM to personalise experiences.
4. Should I run Google Ads for my hotel?
Yes — but only if you:
- Bid on your own brand name to prevent OTAs from stealing clicks.
- Use Google Hotel Ads to appear in rich search results.
- Track ROI carefully and integrate your ads with your booking engine.
Want smarter ads with better results?
Consider AdsPlus, our AI-powered ad solution built specifically for hotels. It automatically manages and optimises your Google, Bing and Meta campaigns in real-time — increasing your ROI (15:1+), revenue (+25%), and new visitors (+40%).
Even if you’re not a marketing pro, AdsPlus offers an intuitive dashboard that puts powerful results within reach. It’s like having a personal hotel ads assistant that never sleeps.
👉 Book a call to see how AdsPlus can boost your hotel’s visibility and direct revenue.
5. How do I reduce dependency on OTAs?
You can’t cut out OTAs completely, but you can:
- Make your direct channel more competitive (through perks, messaging, better UX).
- Run loyalty or email programmes to re-engage past guests directly.
- Target returning website visitors with dynamic offers using Userguest.
- Ensure your pricing is consistent (parity across channels).
- Collect and use first-party data for personalised remarketing.
6. What marketing channels work best for hotels in 2025?
In 2025, the most effective hotel marketing channels are:
- Meta and Google Ads for intent-based targeting.
- Email marketing with personalised deals.
- Content marketing to boost SEO (like this article).
- On-site conversion optimisation tools.
- Social proof and UGC on Instagram and TikTok.
The key is integration: all channels should drive traffic to a high-converting hotel website.
💡 Want your paid ads to actually work for your hotel?
Let AdsPlus handle the complexity. This AI-powered solution helps hotels beat OTAs by automatically adjusting ad spend, targeting, and messaging in real-time.
With one dashboard for Google, Bing and Meta, AdsPlus is ideal for hotels looking to:
- Save time on ad management
- Increase ROI and revenue
- Bring in more qualified, direct traffic
Trusted by hotels worldwide, AdsPlus simplifies performance marketing so you can focus on guests, not Google.
Bonus Section: Must-Have Tools for Direct Bookings
| Tool Type | Recommended Tool | Why It Helps |
| Conversion Optimisation | Userguest | Triggers the right message to boost bookings. |
| Email Marketing | Mailchimp, Hubspot | For re-targeting and loyalty. |
| Analytics | Google Analytics 4; Userguest Dashboard | Understand what users do before booking. |
💬 FAQs
Q: How much of my revenue should come from direct bookings?
A: Ideally, 40–60%. This depends on your market and OTA contracts.
Q: Is it worth investing in website redesign?
A: Yes — especially if your bounce rate is high or your site takes more than 3 seconds to load.
Q: What’s the fastest way to boost direct bookings?
A: Combine targeted offers (via Userguest or similar) with a speed-optimised booking engine and Google Hotel Ads.
Conclusion
Direct bookings don’t happen by chance — they happen by design. Optimising your website, running smart marketing campaigns, and using personalisation tools can help you reduce OTA dependency and increase profitability.
Want to learn more? Book a free demo with Userguest and discover how we help hotels turn traffic into direct revenue.