WHAT GUESTS LOOK FOR
People booking accommodation want to see rooms, know the price, check the location, and book quickly.
They're comparing multiple places at once. If your website is slow, confusing, or missing basic info, they'll move on.
You're competing with Booking.com and Airbnb. Their sites are fast and simple. Yours needs to be too.
THE ESSENTIALS
Room types and rates — Clear descriptions of each room. What's included, how many beds, size, amenities. Pricing upfront or a "Check Availability" button that actually works.
Photo gallery — This is huge. People will judge your entire property based on 5-10 photos. Show the rooms, the bathroom, the view, common areas, parking. Make them look inviting, not clinical.
Location — Address, map, and directions. How far to the beach, town centre, main attractions. If you're on a highway, mention that. If you're tucked away in a quiet spot, mention that too.
Booking system — Phone number, email, or ideally an integrated booking form. Make it easy. The fewer clicks, the better.
BOOKING PLATFORMS VS DIRECT BOOKINGS
Here's the reality: Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia — they all take a cut. Usually 15-20%. That's a huge chunk of your profit.
But they also bring you customers you wouldn't have found otherwise. So you can't just ignore them.
The smart play? Use the platforms to get discovered, but make your own website good enough that people book direct when they come back.
Offer a small discount for direct bookings. 10% off if they book through your site instead of through Booking.com. You save money, they save money.
Make sure your website shows up when people Google your business name. You'd be surprised how many people find you on Booking.com, then Google you to see your real site before deciding.
PHOTO GALLERIES THAT CONVERT
Bad photos kill bookings. Blurry, dark, cluttered rooms make people think your place is worse than it is.
You don't need a professional photographer. You need decent lighting, a clean room, and a steady hand.
Shoot during the day with natural light. Open the curtains. Tidy the room. Take the shot from the corner so you can see the whole space.
Show the bathroom. Everyone wants to see the bathroom. Show it clean, well-lit, towels folded.
Show the view if you've got one. Show the pool if you've got one. Show the breakfast area, the parking, the entrance.
And compress those images before uploading. Large files slow your site down. Slow sites lose bookings.
SEASONAL CONTENT AND PACKAGES
If you're in a tourist area, your business changes with the seasons. Your website should reflect that.
Summer on the coast? Highlight the beach, outdoor activities, availability for families.
Winter in the mountains? Promote the fireplace, cozy rooms, proximity to ski fields.
You don't need to redesign your whole site. Just update the homepage with seasonal messaging and images.
Packages work well too. "Stay 3 nights, get the 4th free" or "Getaway Package: 2 nights + breakfast + local winery tour." Bundle things together and promote them.
GOOGLE BUSINESS FOR ACCOMMODATION
Your Google Business Profile is critical. Most people searching for accommodation in your area will find you on Google Maps first.
Make sure it's fully set up: photos, accurate hours, link to your booking page, regular posts, and reviews.
Reviews are especially important for accommodation. People are trusting you with their holiday or work trip. They want to see that others had a good experience.
Respond to every review. Thank the good ones, address the bad ones professionally.
Need help with this? Check out How to Set Up Your Google Business Profile.
REGIONAL TOURISM
I'm based in Mallacoola, and I work with accommodation providers across Gippsland and East Gippsland.
Regional tourism is different. You're not competing with city hotels. You're selling an experience — the coast, the lakes, the national parks, the quiet.
Your website should reflect that. Show what's around you. Link to local attractions. Make it easy for people to picture their stay.
And SEO matters here. When someone searches "accommodation near Lakes Entrance" or "motels in Bairnsdale," you want to show up.
That means your website needs proper titles, descriptions, and content that mentions your location naturally. No keyword stuffing, just clear, honest descriptions.
NEED A WEBSITE?
I build fast, mobile-friendly websites for motels and accommodation providers. Simple booking systems, great photo galleries, proper Google integration.
No bloated templates. No unnecessary features. Just a clean site that loads fast and drives direct bookings.