As consumers are not about to stop making online purchases, it’s clear that hotels are left with no choice if they want to survive in the business: online reservations are not an option, but a necessity. While pretty much all hotels in Canada have already made this possible, another  trend—booking hotel reservations using mobile devices—is catching on, and not all hotels know quite what to do just yet.

The first question hoteliers ask themselves is whether they should go for mobile apps or mobile sites. The answer depends on several factors. Before anything else though, hoteliers must realize that they can have both. While most hotels go for mobile sites that are cheaper to develop, some hoteliers can’t help but wonder if they need to make an extra push and develop mobile apps.

1. Identify your users.

First of all, find out who your guests are through your website. If your guests use feature phones more than they use smartphones, it might not make sense to spend extra for a mobile app. A few customers will benefit from it anyway.

2. Gauge the importance of the content.

While mobile apps require an active internet connection in order to function, mobile apps are able to store data in order for your guests to access it even without an internet connection. If your app contains a significant amount of offline information, then you might want to have a mobile app.

3. Assess the interactivity of your website.

Mobile apps are capable of accessing the features of smartphones, such as cameras, accelerometers, GPS, and RFID. A mobile site, on the other hand, has limited features and works practically like any other website. A mobile app is definitely strategic if you plan on taking your guests to a whole new level of making online reservations, among other features.