If you’ve ever worked in the hotel business here in Australia, you’ll know there’s always that quiet dread of empty rooms. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got the best view of the Harbour Bridge or the comfiest beds in Hobart if people aren’t finding you online, you’re going to have a hard time filling those rooms.
SEO is the bit nobody wants to think about because, let’s be honest, it sounds boring. But it’s probably the most important tool you’ve got, especially when competing with big international chains and flashy Airbnb listings. Even weird phrases like SEO for Hotel which I know is a typo can get you noticed if you play it smart.
The Honest Truth: Visibility is Everything
I’ve seen it so many times. Great little hotels tucked away in places like the Hunter Valley or Port Douglas are absolutely stunning properties, but no one’s ever heard of them. Why? Because their website is a ghost town on Google.
Here’s the thing. Travellers plan their trips online now. Before they even ask a friend, they’ve already Googled “best hotels in Cairns near the reef” or “quiet escapes in Tasmania.” If you’re not popping up on that first page, you’re basically invisible.
SEO for Hotels (or “Hotel” if you typo like I do sometimes)
Now, there’s this whole conversation around keywords. I’ll be blunt don’t overthink it, but don’t ignore it either. Yeah, SEO for hotels sounds ridiculous but someone, somewhere, is typing that. So chuck it in your content, casually, like I’m doing here. Done.
But more importantly, think like your customer. What are they actually searching for?
- “Romantic getaways NSW countryside”
- “Affordable stays Melbourne CBD”
- “Pet friendly accommodation Sunshine Coast”
These are the phrases that get bookings. Forget trying to be clever with jargon keep it simple, natural, and aligned with what your guests care about.
Content Matters, But Don’t Make it Dry
If your website just lists your amenities and has a couple of grainy room pics from 2012, you’re not going to win. People want content that helps them imagine the stay. Blog posts about the best local coffee shops in Perth, or the top vineyards in Barossa, go a long way. Plus, Google eats that up and rewards you in rankings.
Also, write like you’d actually speak to a guest. None of that stiff, corporate tone. Just be real.
Speed, Mobile, and the Techy Bits
Here’s where I lose people but stick with me. If your website takes forever to load, especially on mobile, you’re done for. People will bounce in seconds.
- Optimise your images (biggest culprit for slow sites).
- Make sure it looks good on a phone most bookings happen on mobiles now.
- Get your HTTPS sorted its basic security but also a trust signal for Google.
These little tweaks? They can push you up the search ranks more than you’d expect.
Reviews & Local Links: Word of Mouth, But Online
Australians trust reviews. Before I book anywhere, I check Google reviews, TripAdvisor, and even Instagram tags. So actively encourage guests to leave feedback. And reply to them. Yes, even the odd bad review show you’re listening.
Also, build local connections. Partner with local tourism boards, get featured on regional blogs, or even sponsor a local footy team if it gets your name out there. That’s how you build backlinks which is just fancy talk for links from other sites that help your Google ranking.
Keep an Eye on What’s Working
This isn’t a one-and-done thing. Check your website traffic. Use tools like Google Analytics to see which pages people are hitting. Maybe your blog post on “Best Winter Stays in the Blue Mountains” is bringing in a ton of views great, write more like that.
If something is not working, adjust it. SEO is not magical, but it is manageable if you follow.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, SEO may seem like a technology speech, but it’s really just modern Digital marketing. You want your hotel to appear when someone is dreaming of the next Australian holiday. Whether that’s by targeting proper keywords or even accidentally catching typo searches like SEO for Hotel, it’s all about being seen.
And trust me, once the bookings start flowing because you’re finally showing up on that first page, you’ll wonder why you didn’t sort your SEO sooner.
