By: Madison Gentile, Venue Craft Marketing, Venue Specialist
Let’s be honest, your venue is being judged before a client even steps foot on your property. They’ve scoured your website and social media pages, but is it enough to get them to contact you?
Here are 4 things a couple will look for on your website before they contact you:
- Updated Photos/Video
All photos and videos on your website should be viewed as selling tools. Will a bride, groom or potential client look at your venue’s images and say “I NEED to have my event there!”? If not, you should consider updating your portfolio.
All images and videos on your website should be intentional and evoke emotion.
People love connecting with other people! Don’t get me wrong, a gorgeous venue shot is important to have, but when you have a shot of a couple standing in front of your venue with the biggest smiles on their faces- that is the money shot. Weddings and Events have an emotional aspect to them that people can connect with. Create the FOMO (fear of missing out) that makes them lean in and start to envision their event happening at your venue. If you can help them create the vision, they will be more inclined to contact you.
Make sure all photos and videos are current, high-quality, clear images that bring the wow factor. If you are still using photos/videos dating back to 2014 that are dark, old, low resolution or pre-renovations- get them off of your site! If you feel that your portfolio is lacking, make a list of recent photographers who have shot at your venue and ask them to send you updated photos. If you are a new venue, or in the midst of rebranding, this would be the perfect opportunity to collab with a few of your favorite event professionals and plan a styled shoot in your new space.
A Pro Tip: Make sure your website is mobile friendly. According to WeddingWire’s 2020 Newlywed Report, 88% of couples plan their wedding online. Of that 88%, 42% is done on a laptop/desktop. 46% is done on a mobile device. Are the photos/videos on our website, WeddingWire/The Knot pages mobile friendly? I can’t tell you how many venue websites I have searched where the couple’s heads are cut off or you can only see a view of the sky/ground because the formatting is off. Do a quick test of your website on your mobile device. If you have pictures that aren’t formatted correctly- put this at the top your to-do list for your mobile-using clients.
- Website “Curb Appeal”
Make sure your website has that virtual “curb appeal”. It should be current, clean and attractive. This is your opportunity to make a lasting impression. Once on your website, it will only take them a few seconds before deciding if they’ll stay or leave.
Are you investing marketing dollars into optimizing SEO and paid ads to attract customers? Both strategies are used to help drive traffic to your website. If a client finds you on a google search, wedding venue site, or paid ad, they are likely to click onto your website for more information. If you are investing money into driving traffic to your website, invest the time into making sure your website is designed to get visitors to your desired outcome.
Ultimately, you want to get them to your website, keep them on your website and get them to contact you. If a client goes on your site and it looks dated, has poor design and it’s not user friendly, you could lose the customer right then and there. Could you be scaring them away? The Venue Craft Marketing team is standing by to help you with a full venue marketing analysis, including your website and branding.
- Social Media Activity
Social Engagement is key to building your brand, reputation and attracting new customers. According to WeddingWire’s 2020 Newlywed Report, over 75% of couples use social media. Although mainly for inspiration, they are using it as a planning tool to research wedding venues and vendors. With that being said, there is a good chance potential clients may find you on social media first. Once they have found you, they are going to use your social media accounts to validate your work and credibility.
Aside from followers, clients like to see that you are engaged and active on your social media account (likes, shares, comments, views). Do you post consistently? Do you encourage engagement? Are you posting eye-catching content? Why? Because it helps potential customers connect with you. If they can connect with you, it eases the client’s buying decision. They want to see what you are doing in “real time” and if you are producing similar content to what matches their vision. If I look up your instagram account and you have 5 followers and haven’t posted since 2017, then I am instantly weary of your credibility, unable to “connect” with your business and unlikely to contact you.
A Pro Tip: Looking to add content to your website? Embed your Instagram/Social Feeds on your website to keep your website content current and engage your visitors.
- Reviews/Testimonials
When in doubt, they’re checking your reviews! This could be the most influential decision-maker, for some. Can you be trusted? Are you worth the investment? Would people recommend your services? There is nothing more powerful than reading reviews from other paying customers to validate their buying decision.
If you need to send reminder emails to recent past clients to write a review- do it. Clients want to see recent reviews. If you haven’t had a review since 2018, that could be a big red flag for a potential client. Be sure to add these reviews to your website. It will add value and help validate your brand for first-time visitors.
Contact our team today for a full venue marketing diagnosis and see how Venue Craft Marketing can help with your venue marketing and boost your sales.
📲 Studio 484-532-7255
📲 Mobile 610-608-2407
➡️ venuecraftmarketing.com
@ info@venuecraft.com
