With summer just around the corner and holiday bookings in full swing, finding ways to increase direct bookings at your property is probably a hot topic right now.
Makes sense! After all, if bookings don’t increase now, then when?
Direct bookings are undoubtedly the best for you and your business. But maybe they are imagining a midsummer night’s dream. But what if we told you that you could increase direct bookings at your property even if you started now? Even if you just built your website?
Below you will find 10+1 ways on how you can increase your direct bookings and therefore fill your business coffers with money!
Let’s start with the basics:
A direct booking site is essentially a booking form on your website where guests can book your property directly. By entering your website, someone has the opportunity to see photos of your accommodation, the facilities you offer, the location, etc. It gives you the possibility to convince him to book directly and not through some new data accommodation booking engine (e.g. Booking).
As you understand, a basic requirement to install the reservation system is to have a website!
Why do you want to have a website that takes direct bookings at your accommodation?
For many reasons. And let’s see in detail:
direct bookings, direct accommodation bookings, apefteias kratiseis, apeftheias kratiseis sto katalyma, diaxeirisi akinitwn, property management
1. You can make the website as you want
You can put as many photos and videos as you want. Make the menu as you think would be best for your potential customers. You can enter rich information about the accommodation as well as the area. Overall you have the ability to create a great user experience and thus convince your guests to make direct bookings more easily.
You have a better chance of someone finding your accommodation
With most bookings now being done online, a website gives you an extra channel for someone to find you. Using SEO can help your website appear high in search results when someone is looking for accommodation in the area. If your competitors do not have their own website then you are one step ahead of the competition.
You save on site booking commissions (OTA)
OTAs (Online Travel Agencies), i.e. online booking platforms (e.g. Booking) usually charge high fees to you and your guests. Most Airbnb hosts today pay a 3% commission, and guests pay about 14.2% of the total booking (Source: Hostfully). This is how all platforms work. This cuts into your profits and leaves little room for marketing. With a direct booking site, you bypass these fees. Why not use that money you would give in commissions to improve Aero Leads your business by reinvesting in marketing strategies or improving your rental properties?
direct bookings, direct accommodation bookings, apefteias kratiseis, apeftheias kratiseis sto katalyma, diaxeirisi akinitwn, property management
4. You collect visitor data
Booking platforms do not share guest data other than first and last name. This further limits your marketing potential and retargeting campaigns. When you create a direct booking website for your accommodation, you have the freedom to ask your guests for data such as their contact details, where they are traveling from and the reason for their stay. You can use this data to create targeted marketing campaigns. For example, you can offer a special discount to professionals coming to your area for a conference. Or you can send an invitation to customers to come back a few months after check-out.
5. Marketing Opportunities
Online booking platforms may increase traffic to your accommodation but that’s about it. They cannot promote your unique services and benefits in an attractive way. For these platforms all accommodations are the same. Instead, through your website you can showcase your accommodation in such a way that potential guests will love it. You have the ability to create even more positive impressions and positive reviews. Also, you can create a loyalty program or offer rewards to repeat customers and do targeted email marketing campaigns.
