Voice Search Now A Must For The Hospitality Sector
With consumers more willing and likely to travel for pleasure, the sector started the year on a better note – and hospitality businesses such as hotels are continuing their plans to revitalize the sector.
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Digital marketing must play a role in those plans, and it must incorporate supportive technologies such as voice search. In 2020, Google announced that the number of smartphone users who use voice search increased by more than 40%. The tech giant also revealed that 20% of smartphone users’ queries were activated via voice search. The hospitality sector cannot afford to ignore these facts, as it has the power to help transform various aspects of the industry in the future.
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Voice Search In A Nutshell
Also known as voice-controlled or voice-enabled search, voice search sees users replace text inputs with voice commands via voice recognition technology when searching apps, websites, or the internet. Software converts human speech into search queries, the results of which may be read aloud via text to speech software, or they may be in text format. Revfine explains that guests can use voice search on smartphones, smart speakers, computers, smart TVs, and smart watches. The accessibility and versatility of the technology means it has an exciting role to play in the hospitality sector.
Voice Search In The Hospitality Industry
According to digital transformation coach Are Morch, personalized service, easier room reservations, and readily available customer support are some of the benefits voice search offers. Integrating voice search with hospitality industry websites can create more user-friendly booking systems that feature shorter response times and faster booking processes. Customers who prefer to research and book their trips using their mobile devices will be able to inquire about room availability and rates, and finalize bookings without typing on their devices.
Voice technology will make it more convenient for customers to reserve restaurant tables, make requests, receive weather forecasts and tourism information, ask for room service, and book excursions. Voice search can also lead to more personalized experiences for customers by making it easier for them to search for hotels and other establishments that meet their specific criteria. The results will be far more tailored than those offered by a conventional search using text inputs that generate hundreds of results.
Start The Conversation
Voice search technology won’t mean much to hotel brands if they can’t or don’t amplify the right techniques into their content marketing strategies. A good content marketing strategy is integral as it ensures that you connect with your audience and provide them with the information they need. In the hospitality sector, up to date information is important, and including this in your content marketing plan will help you to achieve your goals.
Business 2 Community advises that one of the first steps to take is to create conversational content for your website. When people use voice search, they’re more likely to use language that’s different to what they’d use if they were typing their search query or request. Using familiar words and complete sentences will make your web content more conversational and your branding seem more welcoming and natural.
Integrating voice search with your website and digital marketing is an effective way to set your brand apart from your competitors. Use the above information to set that ball in motion.
About the Author
Jane Sandwood is a freelance writer and editor who spent over 10 years in digital marketing. She has written for both digital and print across a wide variety of fields. When she isn’t writing, Jane can often be found with her nose in a good book, at the gym or just spending quality time with her family.