Evaluation of the persuasive features of hotel chains websites: A latent class segmentation analysis

This paper is a contribution to the literature on the evaluation of the persuasive features of hotel chains websites. The paper first separates hotel chains according to their category (luxury, midscale and economy) and then proceeds to segment hotel chains in types according to the persuasiveness of their websites, using latent class segmentation. In order to achieve these objectives, it was necessary to evaluate six dimensions of website persuasiveness (informativeness, usability, credibility, inspiration, involvement and reciprocity). The methodology used is based on the analysis of a sample of 229 hotel chains websites. The results obtained allow to describe significant differences in the degree of persuasiveness displayed by the websites. The results of the latent class cluster analysis suggested that the four-cluster solution was the most coherent. This paper provides evidence of current website persuasiveness and communication, and advice for its improvement in a specific hotel industry. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.