Guesty’s direct booking solutions help you attract guests by allowing direct bookings through your own website, with no external channel fees. Guesty offers three ways to set up direct bookings:
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Guesty Booking Engine: Create a simple page where can guests browse your properties and make their reservations.
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Guesty Websites: Build a customizable, code-free booking website with your own branding and content.
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Booking Engine API: Integrate direct bookings with custom websites using Guesty’s API to sync reservations and listings.
Best practices for direct bookings
Follow these best practices to maximize income and increase bookings through Guesty's direct booking solutions.
Website design and user experience
- Simplify your website’s navigation. Use clear labels and a logical content structure so users find what they need quickly.
- Optimize speed. Compress images and minimize large files for fast load times and lower bounce rates.
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Add multiple language options to reach more international guests.
- Include an “About” section to share your story and values to build guest trust.
- Add a blog for news and travel tips to engage visitors and help with SEO.
- Use a custom domain for stronger branding and trust.
Properties
- Add "Featured properties" to highlight new or lower-performing listings and boost occupancy.
- Invest in high-quality photos. Great images help guests choose to book.
- Keep property information consistent across all channels—descriptions, photos, and pricing.
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Write clear, detailed property descriptions. Use bullet points to highlight amenities and features.
- Use keywords in listings and titles, like “beachfront vacation rental,” to appear in guest searches.
- Optimize content for local search by adding your city or neighborhood name.
Guest reviews
- Showcase guest testimonials on your homepage or in a dedicated section to build credibility.
Pricing and promotions
Note:
Displayed currency on your booking engine is for guest reference only. Guests always pay in the currency configured for your listing in Guesty, regardless of display.
Social media and online marketing
- Promote your site on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share visuals and engage followers.
- Use paid ads (Google Ads, Facebook Ads) to drive targeted traffic to your site if your budget allows.
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Collect guest emails with check-in forms or requests, and send newsletters with deals and updates.
Analyze and adjust
- Monitor performance using analytics tools. Track bounce rate, average time on site, conversion rates, visits, and traffic sources.
- Test different elements, such as calls-to-action, headlines, or images. Change one thing at a time and measure results.
- Stay informed about travel trends and update your strategy. If you see rising demand for eco-friendly stays, promote your sustainable amenities.
Customer support
- Respond to guest inquiries quickly with auto responses and message automations to boost bookings.
- Continue great customer service after guests book to increase positive reviews and repeat guests.
- Add a contact form so guests can reach you. Messages sent from the form go to your business email, not the Guesty Inbox.
Apply these best practices to make your website stand out, earn guest trust, and maximize direct bookings.