Driving Digital Transformation for a Global Lifestyle Serviced Apartment Brand
Client Overview
Kula, a rapidly expanding lifestyle Service Apartment brand, approached Umi Digital to lead their full-funnel marketing strategy. As Kula scaled operations across multiple countries, they needed an agency capable of providing both technical and marketing expertise to help grow their online presence and customer engagement.
The Challenge
Kula tasked Umi Digital with managing their end-to-end digital experience. This involved not only designing and developing a bespoke web app but also managing their Google Ads, Facebook Ads, SEO, email marketing, and providing strategic support as the brand grew globally. Kula sought to improve the user journey on their website while driving significant returns from their advertising spend.
The Solution
Our partnership with Kula has flourished as we’ve continuously enhanced their digital ecosystem. Key milestones include:
- Custom Web App Development: Umi Digital created a highly tailored web platform, seamlessly integrating with third-party systems like Mews, a property management solution. This integration powers real-time ARI feeds into the website, enriching guest experiences and simplifying back-end operations.
- Google Firebase Integration: We launched the Kula Club, a bespoke membership platform featuring custom login functionality via Google Firebase, enabling guests to access preferential rates drawn directly from Mews. This membership offering supports Kula’s channel shift strategy, reducing reliance on third-party booking platforms and driving direct bookings.
- Marketing & Optimization: We’ve managed and optimized Kula’s Google Ads campaigns, consistently delivering strong returns on ad spend. Our strategic SEO and email marketing efforts have also driven significant traffic growth, increasing engagement and conversions.
The Result
By developing bespoke integrations and enhancing Kula’s digital marketing, we’ve empowered them to control their guest profiles, leading to more effective marketing and a better booking experience. Our work has contributed to the brand’s impressive global growth over the last five years, and we look forward to continuing to innovate and evolve the platform alongside Kula’s leadership team.
Key Achievements
- Improved user journey through bespoke integrations.
- Launched a membership platform enhancing direct bookings and data capture
- Delivered strong returns on Google Ads and reduced reliance on third-party agents
- Supported global brand scaling and ongoing digital transformation