According to Statistic Brain, more than 148.3 million travel bookings are made online each year. Not having a website for a hotel means missing out on a huge customer base.
Creating a website on the Internet has its cost and agencies compete creatively to hide certain costs that can quickly drive up the bill.
But then, how much does the creation of the website really cost you?
The cost of creating and hosting your website
Initial costs vary depending on the complexity of your site and its design, but are generally between €100 and €20,000.
This price depends on the product you want, but also on the quality of the service provider involved. A freelance webdesigner will not have the same cost as a specialized and reputable agency.
The cost of the Content Management System (CMS)
Most CMS are open-source such as WordPress but it is important to know that free systems have a minimum of functionalities. If you want a more complete platform, you will have to switch to premium templates and features that will be paid for but more adapted to your business and your needs.
The cost of maintenance and updates
The cost of updating your website can be high if you select a platform that makes it difficult to add content, change pages and insert new images.
You will also have maintenance costs to take into account that can vary enormously depending on the quality of the site created.
Generally, this rate is between €500 and €10,000 per year depending on the type of CMS and provider you use.
The cost of your booking engine
In order for your prospects to be able to book directly on your hotel's website you will need to install a booking engine.
These modules are generally charged as a subscription, and more rarely by commission.
The simplest ones will cost you around €30-60 per month and if you are looking for a more sophisticated system with integrations that provide a better user experience and better financial and marketing management, you could pay between €300 and €1,000 per month.
Whatever type of site you are planning to create, don't forget to take into account all the price components that add up to the price advertised by your provider. A website is necessary, but it is a real investment!