Promoting your direct booking channel effectively requires using the correct URL structure. Whether running social media campaigns, sending newsletters, or updating your business profile, understanding the difference between static and dynamic links ensures a seamless guest experience.
This article explains the different types of Booking Engine links and best practices for using them in advertisements.
Understanding your Booking Engine link structures
Your Booking Engine generates different types of URLs depending on where a user is in the booking process. Identifying the correct link type is essential for marketing campaigns.
-
The main domain
The main domain serves as the primary entry point to your direct booking website. This URL is clean, permanent, and the shortest link available. Use this link for general brand awareness, Instagram bios, or business cards.
Structure: https://[your-subdomain].guestybookings.com
-
The properties page
This URL directs guests specifically to the search results page displaying all your listings without any pre-selected dates or filters. This is ideal for ads promoting your full portfolio.
Structure: https://[your-subdomain].guestybookings.com/en/properties
-
Filtered session URLs
When a guest performs a search on your Booking Engine, for example specific dates, guest count, or specific amenities, the URL changes to reflect these parameters. These are dynamic URLs containing temporary session data.
Structure: https://[your-subdomain].guestybookings.com/en/properties?minOccupancy=2&checkIn=2024-10-10
Shortening links
When preparing advertisements, use the correct link format to prevent errors.
-
Use static links for shortening
The Main domain and Properties page links are static. They don’t change and don’t contain expiration data. Use these links if you need to use a URL shortener (like Bitly) or when character counts are limited.
-
Don’t shorten filtered session URLs
Filtered session URLs contain specific parameters, tokens, and temporary data essential for that specific search.
-
Session integrity: These URLs rely on active browser sessions. Shortening them often strips necessary tracking data.
-
Security: Many third-party platforms block shortened links that redirect to complex query strings for security reasons.
-
Expiration: The data within a filtered URL, such as specific dates or availability tokens, expires. A shortened version of a specific search result will eventually lead to an error page or an outdated search.
To direct guests to a specific property or a general search, always use the full, static Main domain or Properties page URL.