At Simplotel we have built websites for over 2,000 hotels, and every single time we have been asked about how we drive traffic to a website. We have been asked by those who are usually suspicious of SEO because they paid for such services in past and may or may not have seen results. And we have been asked by our customers who see a 3x plus growth in their website traffic after coming to our platform – as to how we do it. While SEO can be a deep subject, today we will attempt to outline how one must think about SEO in this post.

At a high level SEO depends on three things –

  1. Technology and layout of the website 

  2. The content on the website

  3. Things happening outside your website
     

Technology and layout of the website

In order to determine the relevance of a website for a search term (also known as a keyword) search engines have a piece of software called a Bot (derived from the word Robot) that crawls (think of it as reads) content on your website. The Bot then stores the keywords that a website is most relevant for. This is known as indexing of a website.

Unlike users, bots see the code of the website and not what users see on a website (you can view the code of most websites by right clicking on a webpage and selecting view page source). The easier this code is for the search engines to understand, the better chance you have of conveying your content to the search engines and making sure that your content gets indexed correctly. Here again there are hundreds of things that matter. These include the load time of a website, the structure of website code, mobile friendliness, proper tags and sitemaps. Detailing these is a topic for a future blog.

The layout of your website also plays an important role in search engine optimization. Clean and simple navigation, easily readable content – they all add up towards SEO friendliness. 
To get these things right a website must be built for SEO from the ground up – retrofitting these things can often mean redoing the website. The good news is that Simplotel, out of the box, takes care of all this for your hotel website.
 

The content on your website

Now that we have gotten the technical aspects covered, the next most obvious thing about SEO is the content of the website. If your website’s content is about ice cream cones then your site will be indexed for ice cream cone searches and not for hotels. If your content is about a luxury hotel, then you won’t be indexed for budget hotels and consequently it is unlikely that you will show up for searches related to budget hotels.

Content also comes in many shapes. It includes the text on the website, the images that you put, the links you provide and the various tags (page titles page descriptions etc.). Each one of these have a significance and how and where you place them also matters. Content that is higher up on a page matters more than the content that is below. On things like page titles, the content that is to the left matters more than the content that is to the right. How you structure your content with various Headers (much like a word document) matters. How you name your images, how you name the links – they all matter.

All content on your website should be original content – copying of content from another website hurts your traffic – as the search engines and users skip past you believing you have nothing new to say. Adding fresh and relevant content has also shown to impact the SEO of a website.

There is also data about your hotel (meta data) that you can provide on your website, it is not visible to your customers but tells the bots the location, name, etc. of your hotel. Once again, Simplotel does this out of the box for your site.  Our experts write the content for your hotel website so that it is all set up well. This is another reason why our customers see a 3x plus growth in traffic.
 

Things happening outside your website

After the technology and the content on the website, there are things that happen outside your website that impact search engine optimization. These include your guest reviews, your listing on Google Maps and local listing sites, your mention in travel blogs, etc. – they all matter. Here are some suggestions,

  • Verify and own your Google My Business (GMB) page and make sure that the map marker is accurate.

  • Ensure that your hotel’s name, address and contact info is exactly the same on all online channels – your social media pages, local listings and classified listings. 

  • Get good reviews by taking care of customers and encouraging customers to write a glowing review. Also, respond to your reviews on various review channels time to time.

There are few silver bullets in SEO – so you must skin it with a thousand paper cuts. Please let us know your comments, questions and feedback at hello@simplotel.com.

Demand-Based Pricing: The Ultimate Guide to Maximizing Revenue and Guest Value

In the fast-paced world of hospitality, one thing is certain:demand is never static. Whether it’s a bustling festival weekend, a sudden surge in business travel, or a lull in the off-season, guest demand for hotel rooms is always shifting. That’s where Demand-Based Pricing (DBP)comes in a flexible, data-driven strategy that empowers hotels to optimize revenue, stay competitive, and deliver value to guests at every turn.

What is Demand-Based Pricing?

Key Features of DBP

Real-Life Examples

DBP for Hotels

Types of DBP

Best Practices

Bottom Line

What is Demand-Based Pricing?

Demand-Based Pricing is a dynamic approach to setting room rates, where prices are adjusted in real time based on current market demand. Unlike static pricing, which remains unchanged regardless of what’s happening in the market, DBP is all about agility and responsiveness.

When demand is high, prices rise; when demand drops, prices can be lowered to attract more guests. This strategy is rooted in the universal law of supply and demand and is a cornerstone of modern hotel revenue management.

Key Features of DBP

  • Flexibility: Prices aren’t fixed, they move with the market.

  • Agility: Hotels can respond quickly to changes in guest behavior, competitor rates, and market trends.

  • Data-Driven: Success depends on analyzing the right data, occupancy rates, booking patterns, competitor pricing, and guest willingness to pay.

  • Goal-Oriented: The aim is to maximize revenue during peak periods and maintain healthy occupancy when demand is low.

Real-Life Examples of Demand-Based Pricing

DBP isn’t just a theory - it’s everywhere in the hospitality and travel world:

  • Hotel Events & Peak Seasons: Think of ahotel in London during Wimbledon. As the tennis championships approach, demand for rooms skyrockets, and so do prices. This ensures the hotel captures maximum revenue when demand is at its highest.

  • Ride-Sharing Apps: Companies like Uber use “surge pricing” to raise fares during busy times, balancing supply and demand in real time.

  • Event Ticketing: Concert tickets for popular artists often see prices soar as demand outpaces supply. While this can boost short-term revenue, it’s important to balance pricing with long-term guest satisfaction.

  • Weddings & Event Venues: Wedding venues charge more during peak months (May - October) and on weekends, reflecting higher demand.

  • Public Transportation: Many train and bus systems charge higher fares during rush hours, when demand is greatest.

Why Demand-Based Pricing Matters for Hotels

For hotels, DBP is more than just a revenue tool, it’s a competitive advantage.

  • Maximizing Revenue: By adjusting rates in line with demand, hotels can avoid the pitfalls of underpricing during busy periods or overpricing during slow times. This flexibility means you’re never “stuck” at one rate, missing out on profits or leaving rooms empty.

  • Optimizing Price Factors: The right price is a balance of operational costs, competitor rates, and most importantly, demand. DBP puts demand at the center, ensuring your rates always reflect what guests are willing to pay.

  • Targeting and Segmentation:With DBP, hotels can target specific market segments. For example, geo-based pricing allows you to offer different rates to guests from different regions, maximizing revenue from those willing to pay more for the same experience.

  • Inventory Management & Guest Satisfaction:By forecasting demand and adjusting inventory accordingly, hotels can better serve guests and boost satisfaction. No more overbooked weekends or empty rooms midweek, just smart, data-driven decisions.

  • Leveraging Historical Data: The best DBP strategies are built on solid data. By analyzing past occupancy rates, booking windows, and guest spend, hotels can make accurate forecasts and set rates that reflect real market conditions.

Types of Demand-Based Pricing

DBP isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here are the most common forms:

  • Dynamic Pricing:This is the most familiar type, real-time price adjustments based on immediate demand. Hotels might change rates daily (or even hourly) in response to market shifts, special events, or competitor moves.

  • Price Skimming:Start high, then lower prices over time. This strategy is great for new hotels or renovated properties looking to attract early adopters and build buzz before opening up to a broader market.

  • Penetration Pricing: The opposite of skimming, start with low rates to quickly gain market share, then raise prices once you’ve built a loyal customer base.

  • Yield Management:Raise prices as the arrival date approaches and inventory shrinks. This takes advantage of last-minute demand and the urgency of travelers booking close to their stay.

  • Price Discrimination / Geo-Based Pricing: Charge different prices to different customers based on location, purchase volume, or booking time. OTAs often use this to maximize profits from guests in higher-spending regions.

  • Bundle Pricing: Offer packages (room + breakfast, spa, or tours) at a lower combined rate. This not only drives up perceived value but also helps sell less popular services alongside bestsellers.

Implementing DBP: Best Practices

  • Invest in Technology:Use a modern revenue management system (RMS) to automate data collection, forecasting, and price adjustments.

  • Monitor Competitors:Keep an eye on what similar hotels are charging, especially during high-demand periods.

  • Analyze Booking Patterns:Track when guests book, how long they stay, and what extras they purchase.

  • Test and Learn:Experiment with different pricing strategies and measure the impact on occupancy, revenue, and guest satisfaction.

  • Communicate Clearly: Be transparent about why prices change, guests appreciate honesty and are more likely to accept dynamic rates if they understand the reasons.

The Bottom Line

Demand-Based Pricing is no longer optional for hotels, it’s essential. By embracing flexibility, leveraging data, and staying agile, hotels can maximize revenue, outsmart the competition, and deliver value to every guest. Whether you’re a boutique property or a large chain, DBP is your ticket to thriving in today’s ever-changing hospitality landscape.

Ready to dive deeper?
Check out our upcoming blogs on Length-of-Stay Pricing, Booking Window Pricing, and more, each packed with actionable tips to help your hotel win the revenue game.