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The future of web design for the hotel industry
The use of a JavaScript framework
Never before has it been more important for hotels to have their online presence in order. OTAs like Booking.com put millions into R&D to get as many guests as possible to book through their platform. These are budgets that hotels do not have to put into this kind of research work. By choosing an agency that is ALWAYS at the forefront of hotel website development and online marketing, hotels can still be one step ahead of OTAs.
When we look at the past of web design in the hotel industry, we notice that hotels were often behind. The focus was, logically, on delivering the best experience to the guest and not the website. OTAs eagerly took advantage of this by being one step ahead of hotels online. But now, in 2022, hotels can relatively easily outsmart OTAs.
They do this by getting ahead of the big tech giants like Booking, Expedia, and Agoda. One way to do this is by opting for smart web design techniques. Because apart from stunning design and great photos, a hotel site's technology must also be outstanding to generate as many direct bookings as possible.
One way to do this is by using a JavaScript framework. JavaScript is a programming language that is used for specific parts of creating a site but also in making a website functional. By cleverly applying this technique, we can make websites extremely fast and convenient to use. So fast, that it seems like you don't switch pages when navigating through the site.
What is a JavaScript framework?
What exactly is a JavaScript framework? To explain this, I'll let my front-end development colleague Tom do the talking.
JavaScript is a programming language that together with HTML and CSS belongs to the core technologies of the Internet. JavaScript is mainly used to make web pages and applications interactive.
A JavaScript framework is a collection of JavaScript code that serves as the basis for a Web site or application. The framework defines the operation and structure of the application and provides a set of standard, commonly used functionalities.
Thanks, Tom! Moving on, an example of JavaScript is the use of an image slider on a website. This way, multiple images can easily be displayed in the same place. Another example is our widely used interactive map of the area around the hotel with fun sights. Among others to be seen on the site of the recently opened Via Via Hotel in Leeuwarden.
Why do we use a JavaScript framework?
The framework we use has many advantages, we list three:
- Load time
- Ease of use, it looks like a Single Page Application
- Easy to manage on the development side
These three advantages are the main reasons why we use a JavaScript framework. As far as we are concerned, they pretty much speak for themselves but we will go into a little more detail. Wondering how we improve usability, for example? Read on.
Server-side rendering (SSR)
Ok, and now it gets interesting but a bit technical. When you open a website in your browser, the HTML, CSS, and possibly JavaScript is loaded from a server and assembled into a working website in your browser. There is nothing wrong with that but it can be done faster, and we like it fast. And, not only us, but hundreds of millions of other Internet users (according to this study).
When using a JavaScript framework, we work with server-side rendering. This way, the HTML and CSS are already ready on the server and can be fetched by the browser at lightning speed to show to a website visitor. The speed of loading gives a huge advantage in ease of use but also in findability. Because the pages are already ready on the server, Google can easily crawl these pages and then index them. After indexing the pages, they can be displayed on Google's results page. And let that be exactly where you want prospective guests to find your website.
Should you have specific questions about the technical side of SEO, I, Niels, am always ready to answer your questions. Also to tell you the technical specifications of the framework, Vue, Nuxt, and SSR.
Ease of management for development team
Of course, this is not so much a concern for the hotelier but all the more for us (as a specialist in website development for hotels). But, the easier we can work the more efficient and therefore we can continue to offer an affordable service. We are known for our excellent price-quality ratio. In addition, it allows us to customize parts of a site if desired. That in turn is an advantage for the hotelier.
Examples JavaScript framework
Of course, we can easily name all the advantages but we think it would be a good idea if you take a look at the sites for yourself. Then you'll see how smoothly they work. But beware, before you know it you have booked and have to go to Leeuwarden with your friend for a fun weekend exploring Friesland.
The future of hotel sites
Do you also want a site like this based on a JavaScript framework to be one step ahead of the OTAs and generate more commission-free reservations? Contact us and we will work with you to make your website even more future-proof. Take that, OTAs!
By Niels Drenth
Online Hotel Marketing Specialist
By Tom van den Tweel
Front-end Developer