Hotel Responsive Web Design Is Not As Costly As You Might Think
The importance of staying competitive in an ever-changing, increasingly mobile online marketplace has never been greater. Responsive website design offers real solutions that allow the hospitality industry to increase conversion rates, provide a better us
Parsippany, N.J. — Lodging Interactive, the interactive and social media marketing agency exclusively servicing the hospitality industry, de-mystifies the myth that Responsive Website Design (RWD) has to be expensive.
What is Responsive Website Design?
Responsive design means that a website is made to be viewed on any desktop, tablet or smartphone device. This type of web design ensures that a site's copy, images and any other elements are tailored to fit the size of the device's screen seamlessly. A responsive website design is one site that has the ability to be resized to fit the screen of any device a user may be visiting the site from, rather than having a website and a mobile site.
Is Responsive Design Right for Your Hotel?
As with any website design option, RWD has pros as well as potential drawbacks for some. Responsive design not only introduces an optimal user experience, allowing you to better capitalize on site visits by making it easy for guests to book whether they're on your website on their smartphone, tablets or desktop, it is also recommended by Google and lowers overall operational and maintenance costs.
Delivering your web content across all platforms and devices potential guests are using not only positions your business at the forefront of how consumers are buying, it reflects on how you regard your customers.
Consider these recent statistics:
- 67% of smartphone users are more likely to make a purchase on a mobile site than an optimized, non-mobile site. (Google, Sterling Research and SmithGeiger)
- In December 2013, 69% of tablet users shopped via their tablet in the last 30 days. (InMobi and Mobext)
- Nearly half (48%) of users surveyed by Google said that if a site didn't work well on their mobile devices, they felt that the company did not care about their business. (Google, Sterling Research and SmithGeiger)
"The way potential guests visit your site and schedule their reservations have changed and will continue to show greater increases in mobile bookings," said DJ Vallauri, Founder and President of Lodging Interactive. "Responsive web design is an ideal option for properties because it is one complete website that reacts to the needs of your users. Hoteliers building responsive design sites don't have to worry about whether their site content looks good or that their website won't be viewable on current and future devices."
The Cost of a Responsive Design Website Doesn't Have to be Expensive.
Perhaps one of the most positive aspects of RWD is that properties have two options: build a new, responsive design website from scratch or take an existing site and convert it. This is ideal for hotels whose website have undergone a recent redesign or refresh and may not have the budget or desire for a complete rebuild but still wish to stay competitive and maximize online bookings.
"If you have a website you've just built or one with an aesthetic you love, you don't have to lose the time or money you invested in creating it," said Vallauri. "One of the great things about responsive design is that by recoding the back end, you get to keep your site while ensuring your potential guests enjoy a seamless user experience regardless of the device they are using."
Deciding to invest in a responsive design website for your property — whether it is an entirely new site or the conversion of an existing site — might not be as costly as one might think.
"Hotels that want to create a brand new site with a responsive design can expect to spend a few thousand dollars," says Lodging Interactive's Director of Client Services, Alicia Pavignano. "Hotels that are already happy with their website but would like to make it responsive would need to receive a custom quote for this type of work. This is because the size of the site will determine how much work will need to be done and how long it will take."
With over 85% of adults believing that a mobile site should look as good, if not better, than a desktop website according to a survey by TeaLeaf now is the time to think about the user experience your website delivers and whether responsive design is a fit for your property, timeline and budget.
To learn more about creative website solutions, including responsive website design, please visit our website, www.lodginginteractive.com.
About Lodging Interactive
Since its founding in 2001, Lodging Interactive has provided digital marketing services to hotels worldwide, including select service, full-service, and luxury properties.
The Company's social media marketing and guest reviews response division, CoMMingle:Engage, serves a range of hospitality businesses, including hotels, restaurants, spas, and management companies.
Additionally, the Company provides subscription-based website development and digital marketing services. The subscription-based service is based on a 'pay-as-you-go' model and requires little upfront investment on the part of the hotel.
The Company continues to innovate by introducing supportive services that enhance its primary business lines. Recently, it launched Commingle360 and Social Media Amplified, custom landing page services aimed at driving direct bookings through social media content posts.
Lodging Interactive has received numerous awards, including the HSMAI Adrian Award and accolades from the International Academy of Visual Arts, Interactive Media Awards, Horizon Interactive Awards, Web Marketing Association, Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, and Travel Weekly's Magellan Awards.
For more information, email [email protected], call 877-291-4411 ext. 704, or visit the company's website.
