How to Improve Your Local Search Rankings

April 16, 2019

How to Improve Your Hotel’s Local Search Rankings

The forces driving local search rankings are constantly changing. But recent studies suggest that in 2019, four key factors make up the local search algorithm.

The most significant factor is Google My Business (GMB). If you’re not on it, get on it now.

GMB is a free online tool for businesses and organizations to manage their online presence on Google, including Search and Maps. It allows you first to verify your business, and then to enter and update your business information so customers can find you and learn about your company. New features on GMB allow you to create posts and can include the use of photos and videos as well as promoting special offers. Posts drive the rankings, so you should always use industry keywords in them. GMB also has a Q & A feature. Be sure to answer all questions and ask questions of your own, which allows you to add more content. GNB is by far the most used business review site, with average monthly U.S. traffic of more than 158 million visits. The closest competitor is Facebook with just over 85 million hits.

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Innovations in Housekeeping?

Closing the Gaps in Hotel Housekeeping

By Dean Minett brought to you by 4hoteliers.com

As far as the public is concerned, housekeeping is the most fascinating aspect of hotel operations, just search a phrase like 'shocking hotel housekeeper secrets' and behold the plethora of results – many of them from major news outlets.

People want to know what goes on behind the scenes of such a seemingly straightforward profession. They want to know how far off the rails previous guests have gone. Above all, they want to know if rooms are as clean as they’re supposed to be.

Those of us who make a career out of managing hotels are fascinated by housekeeping for another reason: The massive difference it makes to the bottom line. Most negative hotel reviews revolve around cleanliness, and the daily housekeeping process is infamous for the wrench it can throw into daily operations. Keeping the core of the hotel product (the guestroom) in professional shape is central to the guest experience, and to the overall health of hotel operations.

In my personal and professional visits to hotels across the world, I often notice gaps in the way housekeeping operations are run. Many of these gaps would be easy to fill – if their importance would only be understood and acknowledged. Here are a few things to consider for better hotel housekeeping in 2019-2020.

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The Working Professionals Guide to Paying for College

By Brandman University

While students ages 18 through 24 represent the majority of college students in America, adults who are 25 and older make up nearly 40 percent of today’s student population. Adult students have different lifestyle needs, so our education experts offered some advice specific to working professionals seeking ways to pay for college. Their suggestions align with three different payment options:

Grants and loans

According to Judi Scheinberg Sveen, director of operations for online campus enrollment and student affairs at Brandman University, the financial aid process is the same for every student, regardless of their age. She highlights the following as musts for everyone:

· Complete a FAFSA

· Attend entrance counseling

· Submit a Master Promissory note

· Provide any supporting documents requested to obtain loans

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Optimize Direct Bookings?

Free Webinar

April 25, 2019 10am to 11am

This FREE webinar presented by Casey Davy of Busy-Rooms will teach you the steps necessary to generate more bookings through your hotel's website. You will learn how to increase customer retention, answer all your potential guests' questions, actualize more upselling, lower your commission costs and develop effective analytics for your marketing.

Registration

A second chance if you missed this informative webinar

Why Your Hotel Should be Messaging in 2019

5 Tips to Get You Started

Replay the webinar

Will you be in compliance by providing required harassment prevention training to all employees in 2019?

Effective January 1, 2019, California employers with 5 or more employees (including those located out of state) are required to provide sexual harassment prevention training to all employees before January 1, 2020. Minimum count of "5" employees includes seasonal and temporary hires as well as independent contractors.

That's 2 hours of sexual harassment prevention training to supervisors (and to out-of-state supervisors of California employees), and 1 hour of such training to nonsupervisory employees.

Training must take place within 6 months of hire or promotion and every 2 years thereafter. To comply with the January 1, 2020 deadline, all employees must train during the 2019 calendar year.*

Use priority code HPTR2 when purchasing your required California training online . CLIA members get an additional 20% discount. Ask us how.