As you look forward to the new year and imagine the upcoming travel season, you probably know that there are ways you can improve your bed and breakfast.

While it’s critical to make changes in order to improve the guest experience, you also should think about upgrades that could make life more enjoyable for YOU as a bed and breakfast owner.

If you haven’t already committed to some new year’s resolutions, these will help you take your bed and breakfast to the next level.

Resolution #1 – Drive More Direct Bookings

Direct bookings via your small hotel website are critical, because they allow you to maximize your profit. You don’t have to pay an agent a commission, and you develop a more personal relationship with the customer.

In order to increase your direct bookings, you can improve your website by adding high-resolution photographs, descriptive content and an easy booking portal.

Remember that your website simply must be optimized for mobile platforms if you want to drive online bookings.

Resolution #2 – Drive More Channel Bookings

Your distribution network allows you to reach an audience far wider than you could reach on your own, so you will want to partner with several different distribution channels.

Find online travel agencies (OTAs) that will actually work for your business, and will help promote what you have to offer on the best booking sites.

Resolution #3 – Improve Your Online Presence

In addition to improve your website, you will want to boost your presence online. Stay active on all of the most popular social networking sites, and make your business buzz worthy.

Resolution #4 – Get Smarter About Reporting

Start collecting data, and use it! This gives you greater visibility into your own business, and allows you to identify which channels bring you the most business.

This can help you focus your marketing campaigns on the people who are most likely to book with you.

Resolution #5 – Spend More Time Doing What You Love

With an online booking system, you will spend less time doing tedious administrative work. In addition, you will have access to everything you need in the cloud, so you can work remotely.

Spend more time with your customers, enjoy some free time, and reap the benefits of being a bed and breakfast owner.

Let this be the year that you actually keep your resolutions. With Little Hotelier, you can easily accomplish all of these goals and improve your bed and breakfast business. Watch these demo videos to learn how.

hotel reservation system demo

By Dean Elphick

Dean is the Senior Content Marketing Specialist of Little Hotelier, the all-in-one software solution purpose-built to make the lives of small accommodation providers easier. Dean has made writing and creating content his passion for the entirety of his professional life, which includes more than six years at Little Hotelier. Through content, Dean aims to provide education, inspiration, assistance, and, ultimately, value for small accommodation businesses looking to improve the way they run their operations (and live their life).