🧭 Lost in Search? 10 SEO Mistakes Resorts Make (And How to Fix Them) 🧲

Ahh, the world of resorts and stays—lush palm trees, infinity pools, and gourmet breakfasts 🍳… all perfectly Instagrammable. But wait, if no one’s finding your resort online, is it really paradise or just a pixelated ghost town? 👻

In the high-stakes world of hospitality, your biggest competition isn’t the resort next door—it’s the Google Search algorithm. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) isn’t just jargon; it’s your golden key to the top of search results and the front of your ideal guests’ minds.

Here are the Top 10 SEO mistakes resorts make, how they sabotage your bookings, and what you can do to fix them—complete with solid stats, cheeky puns, and actionable advice. Buckle up, digital hoteliers—we’re optimizing this ride. 🛎️

1. Local SEO? More Like Lost SEO 🌍

You’re a dreamy resort in a location—but are you showing up for it online?

Many resorts ignore Local SEO and forget to optimize their Google Business Profile (GBP). Inconsistencies in NAP (Name, Address, Phone), lack of reviews, or an unclaimed GBP can send you straight to Google’s no-man’s land.

✅ Fixes:

• Claim and fully fill out your Google Business Profile.
  
• Maintain consistent NAP across directories like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Expedia.
  
• Add stunning photos, direct booking links, and location-based keywords like “luxury resort in Goa.”
  
• Encourage and respond to reviews—every star is a trust magnet 🌟.
  

📍 Want more tips? Read how to fix local SEO missteps

2. Slow Site? Say Goodbye to Guests ⌛

Your page speed is slower than a room-service omelet? Google—and your guests—aren’t waiting. 🚶

With over 50% of web traffic coming from mobiles, a slow site is a conversion killer. Add to that poor mobile responsiveness, and you’ve basically created a digital cul-de-sac.

✅ Fixes:

• Compress images and switch to next-gen formats like WebP.
  
• Implement lazy loading and browser caching.
  
• Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights or GTMetrix to check Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS).
  
• Make sure your design is mobile-first, not mobile-worst. 📱
  

📡 Here’s the full SEO for hotels and resorts guide

3. Keyword Confusion = SEO Delusion 🧠

If you’re stuffing “luxury hotel” 30 times into one page, congratulations—you’ve won the “Keyword Cannibal of the Year” award. 🏆

Generic keywords + keyword cannibalization = confused Google + lost rankings.

✅ Fixes:

• Target intent-driven long-tail keywords like “romantic beach resort in Kerala.”
  
• Use tools like Ahrefs, Ubersuggest, and Google Keyword Planner.
  
• Assign unique keywords to each page and avoid overlaps.
  
• Optimize meta tags, H1s, and image alt text (but don’t overdo it!).
  

🔍 More SEO tips here

4. Thin Content Is Out—Thicc Content Is In 🍰

Google doesn’t like thin content. Neither do your guests. If your site has duplicate or low-value fluff, expect your rankings to sink like a stone in your resort’s pool.

✅ Fixes:

• Go for quality over quantity—think original, helpful, detailed pages.
  
• Add unique intros, FAQs, local guides, and even guest stories.
  
• Audit your content regularly and eliminate or improve underperformers.
  
• Use Copyscape to check for duplicate content.
  

📚 Read more: Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid

5. Technical SEO ≠ Just Geek Stuff ⚙️

You may have the fanciest-looking site, but if search engines can’t crawl, index, or understand it, it’s virtually invisible.

✅ Fixes:

• Set up an XML sitemap and fix crawl errors.
  
• Implement schema markup (especially HotelRoom schema) for rich snippets.
  
• Avoid JavaScript-heavy booking tools without proper rendering.
  
• Clean up your URLs (e.g., /spa-services, not /index.php?id=123).
  

🧠 Dive deep into hidden technical SEO issues

6. Image Optimization: From Glam to Jam 🖼️

Resorts love big, beautiful images—but if those photos aren’t optimized, they’re dragging your site down like overpacked luggage. 🎒

✅ Fixes:

• Compress high-res images with tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh.
  
• Use lazy loading for galleries and carousels.
  
• Add descriptive alt text (e.g., “Ocean-view suite with balcony in Andaman”).
  
• Switch to WebP format to save load time and quality.
  

📸 Learn more: SEO for visual content

7. Internal Linking is the Breadcrumb Trail 🍞

Got orphan pages floating like unsupervised kids in a resort pool? 🏊 That’s bad for UX and SEO.

✅ Fixes:

• Link related pages with descriptive anchor text like “Explore our honeymoon packages.”
  
• Maintain a clear site hierarchy.
  
• Audit regularly to spot broken or missed links.
  

🔗 Bonus tip: Use Screaming Frog to crawl your internal links.

8. Online Reviews: The Real MVPs ⭐

Still ignoring guest reviews? That’s like refusing free dessert. 🍨

Reviews are not just social proof—they directly impact local SEO and click-through rates.

✅ Fixes:

• Automate post-checkout review requests (email/SMS).
  
• Respond to all reviews—yes, even the cranky ones.
  
• Showcase 5-star testimonials on your homepage.
  
• Use platforms like Google Business, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.
  

🎯 See how reviews fuel bookings: The Power of Online Reviews

9. Backlinks: The Digital Word of Mouth 🔗

Think backlinks are old school? Think again. Quality backlinks = SEO rocket fuel.

✅ Fixes:

• Run backlink audits with Ahrefs or Semrush.
  
• Disavow spammy links using Google’s Disavow Tool.
  
• Earn backlinks by:
  
  • Guest posting on travel blogs
    
  • Listing on local directories
    
  • Broken link building
    
  • Collaborating with influencers
    

🧷 Full backlink audit guide: Backlinko’s Step-by-Step

10. Underusing Social Media = Missed Opportunities 📱

No social media game? You’re missing out on brand searches, referral traffic, and short-form video gold.

✅ Fixes:

• Integrate socials with SEO—link to your site, and vice versa.
  
• Create Reels, Shorts, and TikToks showing your amenities and location.
  
• Use geo and travel hashtags.
  
• Collaborate with micro-influencers and encourage UGC with hashtags.
  

📈 Grab ideas from Cloudbeds’ Social Strategy

🧠 Conclusion: SEO is Not a “Set-It-and-Forget-It” 🍽️

Just like your spa towels and buffet trays, SEO needs regular fluffing and refilling.

👉 Monthly audits
👉 Google Search Console tracking
👉 Keyword performance checks
👉 New content creation
👉 Keeping up with algorithm updates

SEO isn’t just about climbing rankings—it’s about creating a friction-free booking experience from search to stay.

Ready to turn your resort website into a 5-star search experience?

🚀 Let’s Make You the Resort People Find and Book

At Travel to Forget, we don’t just talk SEO—we help resorts rank, book, and thrive with quirky strategies, solid tech, and creativity that converts.

👉 Contact us today and let’s get your digital paradise discovered.