Google Maps was founded in 2005, where it helps people to get from Location A to Location B and it was available on desktop version only. Today, Google Maps has been widely used by everyone in the world as it evolved into more than just helping people get around.
In March 2021, Google is expanding its features by introducing free hotel booking links and showing them on Google Search and Google Maps.
In my previous blog, I have explained what Google Free Booking Link is, how it works and how it benefits hoteliers around the world. If you haven’t yet read about it, I believe this is the right time for you to explore what is it about here. Let's recap some of the important information with more explanation.
Basically, Google Free Booking Link is an opportunity to drive more traffic to a hotel website which helps to increase hotel direct bookings as well as compete with OTAs in brand queries. Below, I listed three important reasons why hotels should get listed on Google Free Booking Link.
Google Free Booking Link is proven in helping hotels to increase sales from their direct booking channel hence saving many commissions paid to OTAs, provided if the hotels offer the best rate through the Booking Engine channel.
If you are still unsure of how this is relatable, below are some infographics that explain “how”.
Now, I believe you have the idea of how Google FBL is important to hotels businesses like yours. Without Google Paid Ads like how normally many hoteliers invest, your hotel can also make more sales and revenues through Google with Free Booking Link features.
We prove it right. Hotels with Softinn had proven that they collected numbers of bookings through Google FBL. Softinn had launched the integration with Google in the mid of October 2021. Since then, we turned on the Google FBL features for our eligible hotel clients.
Curious about what happens after that? Below are the percentages of bookings collected by some of our hotel clients through Google FBL. The reports are based on bookings from December 2021 to February 2022.
You might think the number of bookings is small. But imagine if you interpret it into the booking value. Below is how it explains.
30 room bookings can save you RM576 given the fact that you sell it slightly cheaper. So, what if the OTAs charge you a 25% commission for each paid booking? Think about it.
It is quite an easy setup process. Here are things that you need to take into account:
Since Google just launched this Google Free Booking Link feature last year, there are still many hotels that missed out on this big opportunity. Having said so, is it still not too late to be part of the Google FBL user.
As a hotelier who aims to maximize hotel revenue, consider adding these features to your business and provided the best Booking Engine rate to increase the direct bookings for your property. If you need more tips to increase your hotel direct booking, feel free to download our Ultimate Guide here.