What other channels besides SMS should your hotel be using?

Texting isn't the only digital messaging channel guests are using

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Published:

May 16, 2022

Texting for hotels has proven an improved guest experience, but it’s not the only channel available. Top hospitality messaging services like Kipsu provide a way to communicate with guests on all of their preferred channels, from social media to WhatsApp.

Facebook Messenger

Hospitality teams can make a good impression before guests even get to the hotel via Facebook Messenger. Guests who find hotel Facebook pages can communicate directly with the front desk and get common questions answered, such as parking, rates, and hours. 

No cell service is required, so hotel teams can converse with 1.2 billion global Facebook Messenger users in real time, just with a Wi-Fi connection.

Plus, properties that have enabled this hotel messaging feature have significantly improved their response time to Facebook messages!

Live web chat

The live web chat feature available with top messaging platforms like Kipsu—think a pop-up chat box—allows users to communicate with hotel teams via the company website or Wi-Fi landing page.

Hospitality teams can also answer common pre-arrival questions and send personalized introductory messages through this channel, all customized to fit into the website’s current design.

As conversations take place, managers can evaluate guest tone and gather feedback in real-time. Communication can also continue via SMS or other digital messaging platforms—guests just have to enter their mobile phone number into the web chat popup and conversations can seamlessly continue through the platform.

Google Business Messaging and Apple Messages for Business

Front desk teams can also engage directly with guests while they search for a place to stay. With messaging channels like Google Business Messaging and Apple Messages for Business, numerous access points are created for pre-booking conversations.

Again, no cell service is needed for potential guests to message directly from the iMessage application when searching for a hotel on their iOS device, or from an Android device using Wi-Fi. This creates an additional channel for travelers to connect with hotel teams, increasing direct bookings and overall engagement.

WhatsApp

Billions of users can be reached using WhatsApp in hospitality messaging. The most popular digital messaging channel in over 180 countries, WhatsApp allows guests traveling internationally with no cell service to communicate with hotel teams over just a Wi-Fi connection.

With the same capabilities as other channels, including “Handoff” to have another team member manage a conversation or “Dispatch” for maintenance, WhatsApp allows hospitality teams to converse with guests on the world’s preferred messaging platform.

The Kipsu integration also has a translation feature that can help hotel teams and guests hold conversations in over 60 languages. 

Hospitality messaging is on the rise, and reaching guests on their preferred channels has proven to increase guest satisfaction. Learn more about top hotel texting services and schedule a conversation with our team today.

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Curious to learn more about Kipsu and digital messaging? Connect with a member of our team to get all of your questions answered.