The impact of mobile internet on various industries is evident. Many sectors rely on business and orders driven by mobile internet, and the hotel accommodation industry is a prime example. With the help of mobile internet technology, OTA platforms such as Qunar and Ctrip have successively launched mobile app applications, making online room booking simple and fast. According to data reports from Analysys, currently 64.5% of online accommodation bookings come from mobile devices. However, this also means that competition among accommodation service providers within OTA platforms will become increasingly fierce.
The development of mobile internet-based business in the accommodation industry can be achieved not only through apps. By leveraging WeChat development technology and utilizing WeChat — a platform with 800 million users — an official WeChat account can deliver, or even achieve better, results.
Leveraging WeChat development technology, an official WeChat account can help hotels address these issues.
Expand business channels on top of existing ones
1. Conducting online room bookings via the official account
Currently, hotels mainly conduct online room bookings through platforms like Ctrip, Qunar, eLong, and Alibaba. However, service fees and commission rates are gradually increasing, while actual booking volumes remain unsatisfactory.
Having an independently developed and operated official account allows hotels to continue conducting online room bookings without being burdened by platform commission issues.
Coupled with promotional content guiding users to book rooms via the official account, along with certain discount strategies, better sales results can be achieved.
2. Membership card sales, binding, usage, and management
Launching membership cards is one of the marketing methods often chosen by hotels. Users with membership cards tend to prioritize booking at the hotels where they hold memberships. This is partly due to greater discounts, and partly because membership points can be redeemed for more benefits.
Through a hotel WeChat platform built using WeChat technology,membership card management can be integrated both online and offline, allowing for the promotion and sale of membership cards. This eliminates the need for queuing at the front desk to apply — users can purchase, pay for, and use their membership cards directly online, making the process convenient and efficient. Compared to traditional internet methods, WeChat-based operations are simpler and faster, not only expanding channel resources and reducing promotional costs but also enhancing the user experience.
3. Online booking of hotel services
In the past, booking hotel services required calling the front desk. But by building a system using WeChat development technology, online booking becomes possible.
By opening the hotel’s official account, whether or not you are checked in, you can book services such as housekeeping, room service, car pick-up, and more. As a service industry, delivering a better user experience is the foundation for gaining recognition.
II. Achieving Business Partnerships Through Official WeChat Accounts
External cooperation matters for hotels can also be facilitated through technical support. Common types of external cooperation for hotels include room sales, banquet hall rentals, and restaurant collaborations. Using WeChat development technology, afully private management systemcan be established, accessible only to authorized partner institutions.
1. Corporate Cooperation
Many companies sign cooperation agreements with hotel chains, whereby employees receive discounted rates when staying at partnered hotels. The hotel provides secure login authorization codes, enabling employees to book rooms at contract-discounted rates.
2. Travel Agency Cooperation
Cooperation between travel agencies and hotels is also a common practice. Hotel rooms are often sold as part of travel packages. Through authorized cooperation, travel agencies can book rooms online at discounted rates without affecting the hotel’s regular booking business, and vacant rooms remain available for online booking.
3. Other Types of Cooperation
Collaborations involving exhibitions, annual meetings, weddings, and other events are also part of a hotel’s routine business and represent a solid source of income. When launching such services via the official WeChat account, the platform can serve as a display and booking tool, while offline channels handle sales and business negotiations.
III. Offering More Marketing Features for Better Promotion
Marketing and promotion are universal concerns across all industries. While the official WeChat account itself can serve marketing purposes,By leveraging WeChat development technologies, the official account can be endowed with more functions, thereby enhancing its effectiveness in marketing and promotion.
Establish a more multi-dimensional brand image.
"Seeing is believing." Sensory experiences that offer what-you-see-is-what-you-get can build greater trust. The hotel’s WeChat platform can utilize various methods such as video displays, image showcases, and panoramic views to create a multi-sensory impression and establish a premium brand image.
More marketing and promotional methods.
WeChat technology has always been integrated with WeChat marketing strategies. By developing more marketing features through technical means, these can be used for irregular promotional campaigns. By linking online and offline efforts, explosive marketing results can be achieved.
WeChat Voting + Brand Promotion.
WeChat voting is a common method of WeChat promotion. By offering prizes and promoting through Moments, it attracts attention and votes, achieving brand exposure and also helping to rapidly increase follower counts in the short term.
WeChat Group Buying + Room Booking.
WeChat group buying is currently one of the most popular group purchase methods. With just two people needed to form a group, inviting friends to join, and enjoying lower prices, its interactive advantages have made it widely favored. Hotel room bookings can also adopt this approach. With reasonable pricing, both occupancy rates and off-season revenues can be ensured.
WeChat Bargain Hunting + Official Account Fan Acquisition.
WeChat bargain hunting is widely used for attracting fans to official accounts. The more people invited, the better the discount. Hotels can use this feature for promotional purposes—first increasing follower counts, then launching special offers to achieve better exposure and publicity.
Coupons + Room Booking + Appointment Services.
Coupons can not only be claimed and used but also recommended or gifted to friends, making them a practical and attractive marketing tool. Offering a chance to experience a star-rated hotel at a discounted price is a highly enticing marketing strategy. They can be used for multiple purposes, such as room booking discounts, free meals, or complimentary transfers.
The rapidly evolving mobile internet has witnessed the growth of various industries. Alibaba’s Double 11 and Double 12 shopping festivals yield impressive annual results, ride-hailing apps like Didi have transformed travel methods, and platforms like Ctrip and Qunar have reshaped travel habits. However, for small and ordinary businesses, relying on large platforms leads to increasingly fierce competition. The hotel industry should not passively accept this situation. Purely depending on traffic from major platforms brings intense competition and rising costs, which can impact overall development. Building a proprietary WeChat platform to explore more business channels can lead to better brand promotion, increased marketing revenue, and it is certain that more hotels will benefit from technically developed WeChat platforms in the future.
Tengxintong is dedicated to advancing the mobile internet development of various industries and supporting their digital transformation—it is our mission and goal. To date, we have provided high-quality mobile internet services to numerous enterprises and institutions across different sectors. Based on the technological foundation of “Mobile Internet + WeChat” and guided by the approach of “Demand Analysis + Technical Implementation + Operational Promotion,” we deliver comprehensive mobile internet solutions that are more aligned with client needs and highly feasible. In the future, we will continue to support more institutions on their mobile internet development journeys. Follow our official WeChat “Tengxintong” to get the latest mobile internet insights, learn about our services, and explore real customer cases. To view success stories, please visit our official website:http://txt.bcreat.com, and discover more services.