The use of apps has become a necessity in our lives. Everyone has loaded a few mobile apps on your phone! Today there’s pretty much an app for anything you can imagine; from social media, to exercise tracking, to cooking, to music, and more.
But did you know that there are even apps you can use at your property to run your business more efficiently, improve guest experience, cut costs and boost your profits?
These nifty little programs hold a lot of power and the hotel industry is becoming flooded with more each day.
Integrating apps with your existing systems has the potential to take your business to the next level so let’s go through everything you need to know about apps, and some of the best ones to try.
What is an application or mobile app?
To put it as simply as possible, an app is a piece of software that allows you to perform a specific task or tasks. Apps can be used on a smartphone, desktop and laptop, and even televisions.
The mobile app revolution began before the first McIntosh computer was ever released. Steve Jobs imagined a database of software programs that people could shop for as if they were in a record store. This first vision occurred nearly 25 years prior to the development and release of the iPhone, and the App Store.
Slowly but surely, apps crept into our lives and became a powerful force in our personal and professional lives. Everytime you use Microsoft Word on your computer or Instagram on your phone, you’re using an app.
Hotels and mobile apps
One of the most powerful groups of travellers today are millennials — millennials are young adults that value experiences over material items. This group grew up surrounded by technology, are comfortable using technology, and expect the latest technology to greet them as they travel the globe.
Many accommodation providers have already caught on, creating or using mobile apps to improve the guest experience – for example, some apps allow guests to order room service, give the power to check-in early, or conveniently purchase extras and experiences. Other hotel features include exclusive local guides, concierge services, deals that can only be found on the app, and the ability to request specific types of toiletries for the bathroom.
On the other side of the coin, small hotels can also use apps to improve their backend business operations and increase overall efficiency, making life easier.
Benefits of using apps at your small property
You’re probably getting an idea already that there is an app to suit any purpose you want to fulfil at your property.
The market is full to the brim with apps that can help you:
- Make more money on each booking
- Improve your reputation
- Build better guest relationships and loyalty
- Boost direct bookings
- Adopt contactless processes
- Streamline reservation management and check-ins
- Manage your property remotely
- Save time and cut costs
- Upsell to your guests
- Increase guest communication capabilities
- And more!
Generally, apps are designed to make life simpler for you while running your property. They allow you to customize the technology you’re using to suit your needs, solve real problems easily, make confident decisions, and manage data more effectively.
