Is It Time to Take Back Control of Your Holiday Let Bookings?
With Airbnb’s latest changes there’s never been a better time for holiday let owners to start building their own direct booking strategy. While third-party platforms are great for attracting guests, it often means playing by someone else’s rules with less control over how you run your business. So is it time to take back control, build stronger guest relationships, keep more of your booking revenue and rely less on third-party platforms?
Airbnb’s Latest Changes: What Do They Mean for Holiday Let Owners?
Airbnb’s recent changes are another reminder of how much control third-party booking platforms can have over your holiday let business. Airbnb has been moving hosts towards a single-fee model with a typical service fee of 15.5% deducted from the host’s payout. When you rely heavily on these platforms, you’re also relying on their policies, search algorithms and booking processes.
But it’s not just about commission. Airbnb has also announced changes to its house rules, including restrictions on the cleaning and checkout tasks hosts can require guests to complete. While these changes aim to improve the guest experience, they also highlight how decisions made by third-party platforms can directly influence how you manage your property.
Invest in Your Own Website and Booking System
One of the best ways to reduce your reliance on third-party platforms is to invest in your own holiday let website and direct booking system. A bespoke website gives you the freedom to showcase your property exactly how you want. More importantly an integrated booking system makes it easy for guests to check availability and book directly with you.
At Trigger Solutions we design and develop bespoke holiday let websites and booking systems around your business, whether you’re managing a single luxury property or multiple holiday lets.
Encourage Repeat Guests to Book Directly
If guests have enjoyed staying at your property why wouldn’t they want to return? Repeat bookings can be incredibly valuable, and your own website gives returning guests a simple way to book with you directly.
Make sure your website is easy to find, encourage guests to remember your property and with the appropriate marketing permissions keep in touch through email newsletters, updates and special offers. Building these relationships can help turn one-off stays into repeat visits, without relying entirely on third-party platforms to bring guests back.
Get Found Beyond Airbnb with SEO and Digital Marketing
Having your own website is a great starting point, but guests still need to find it. Search engine optimisation (SEO) can help your holiday let appear when potential guests search for accommodation in your area. Combine this with engaging social media content, local recommendations, relevant directory listings and email marketing, and you can start building a more independent source of enquiries and bookings.
The goal isn’t necessarily to stop using Airbnb or Booking.com, but to make them just one part of your wider marketing strategy.
More Direct Bookings, Without the Commission
Third-party booking commissions can quickly add up, particularly for larger properties or longer stays. With your own direct booking system you can avoid that particular platform commission and keep more of your booking revenue.
Our bespoke booking systems don’t charge commission on individual bookings. While payment processing fees and other running costs may still apply, you won’t be paying us a percentage every time someone books. Over time increasing your direct bookings could make a real difference to your business.
Ready to Get More Direct Bookings?
At Trigger Solutions, we design and develop bespoke holiday let websites and booking systems that make it easier for guests to book directly, giving you more control over your bookings, customer relationships and revenue. Our services also include SEO and ongoing digital marketing to help your property get found online, attract more guests and grow your direct bookings.
Want to find out how we can help? Get in touch to discuss your project.
