Top 5 Things Travellers Notice About Your Motel Listing
Your motel might offer stunning views, friendly service, and top-notch rooms—but if people can't find you online, none of that matters. That's where SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) comes in.
SEO helps your website rank higher in Google searches so potential guests can discover you when they search things like "motels in Port Macquarie" or "affordable stays near Byron Bay."
Here’s a breakdown of essential SEO tips to boost your motel’s visibility and get more direct bookings.
1. Start with Smart Keywords
You need to know what your potential guests are typing into Google.
Use keywords like:
"Affordable motels in [Your Town]"
"Pet-friendly accommodation [Region]"
"Road trip stops near [Landmark]"
Where to place keywords:
Page titles (e.g., "Family-Friendly Motel in Gunnedah")
Meta descriptions
Header tags (like H1 and H2)
Image file names and alt tags
🔍 Use free tools like Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner to find search terms relevant to your region.
2. Write for Humans First, Google Second
Your content should:
Be easy to read
Answer common traveller questions
Include local attractions and amenities
Sound friendly and trustworthy
📝 Example: "We’re a 2-minute walk from the bakery, bottle shop, and Bowlo. Our guests love the weekend markets and sunset views over the hills."
3. Optimise for Mobile
Over 60% of travel bookings happen on mobile devices. If your site doesn’t work well on phones, you’re losing bookings.
Make sure your site:
Loads quickly (under 3 seconds)
Is easy to navigate on small screens
Has big buttons and simple menus
📱 Test your site on different devices and browsers regularly.
4. Claim and Optimise Your Google Business Profile
When people search for "motels near me," your Google Business profile is what appears on the map.
To optimise it:
Add photos of your rooms, signage, and location
Include your phone number, website, and hours
Respond to reviews
Post updates and special offers
📍 This boosts your visibility in local search results—even if users don’t type your motel name directly.
5. Use Internal Links on Your Website
Link to other pages on your site (e.g., from "Rooms" to "Gallery" or "Contact Us"). This helps visitors find what they need and helps Google understand your site structure.
🔗 Pro tip: Link your blog articles to location or room pages to build SEO juice.
6. Add a Blog or Local Guide Section
Fresh content shows Google that your site is active. It also helps you rank for more keywords.
Blog ideas:
"Top 5 Things to Do Near [Your Motel]"
"Weekend Itinerary for Couples Visiting [Town]"
"Why Travellers Love Road Trips Through [Region]"
🧭 Add internal links and local keywords to these posts for extra SEO power.
7. Get Quality Backlinks
Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. The more reputable sites link to you, the more Google trusts you.
How to get them:
Partner with local tourism sites
Ask travel bloggers to review your motel
Join regional motel or business directories
🌐 Even one or two good links can improve your ranking.
8. Use Schema Markup (Advanced Tip)
Schema is a type of code that helps Google display your content in rich results like star ratings, FAQs, or availability.
You (or your web developer) can add schema for:
Your motel’s address, rating, and price range
FAQs like check-in time or cancellation policy
Room types and availability
💻 It’s a powerful tool if you want to stand out in search results.
9. Speed Matters
A slow website kills bookings. Guests won’t wait more than a few seconds.
Speed it up by:
Compressing images
Reducing plug-ins
Using fast, local hosting providers
⚡ Use Google PageSpeed Insights to test and improve your site.
10. Encourage and Respond to Reviews
Reviews on your Google listing (and OTA listings) affect local SEO.
Ask guests to leave a Google review after check-out
Respond to reviews (positive and negative)
Use guest quotes on your website or in blog content
🌟 The more active your listing, the more Google sees you as trustworthy.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be an SEO expert to climb the search rankings. You just need to show up, stay current, and keep your digital house in order.
By using these SEO tips, your motel will become easier to find online—and easier to book.