Do you need help choosing a ‘Booking System’ for your accommodation?\n\nWe’ve been developing accommodation websites for over 15 years and have worked with most of the popular booking systems available. We would like to share our advice and knowledge to help you choose the right system for you.\n
Questions to consider before choosing a booking system
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- Do you have a small holiday rental and require a simple low cost booking system?
- Do you want your property to display on distribution partner websites?*
- Do you want to process payments yourself or use a 3rd party system?
- Do you want the option to group your cottages enabling larger groups to rent?
- Ask booking providers how long it takes to be paid after booking has been expired
- Ask about percentage rates per transaction and of any additional monthly fee’s or registration/setup costs
- Is the booking system mobile friendly – stay clear of any which are not.
- Ask if you can embed the booking calendars into your website or do I have to link to their website. – Linking to their website can result in displaying other competition in your area, not recommended.
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* Distribution Partners – ‘Channels’
\nMany booking systems allow you to display your property and its availability on 100’s of other industry related websites automatically. ‘Distribution Partners’ is a term used to describe these industry related partners, such as www.lastminute.com or www.laterooms.com. These partners display your properties availability on their websites increasing your exposure to a much wider audience.\n\nThe distribution partners are normally divided into groups depending on their size and popularity, this normally results in different levels of commission being charged. You decided which group suits best suits your property based on number of properties you own and commission you’re willing to pay.\n
Booking Payment Options
\nSome booking system process the payment for you, but you can wait over a month after the booking departure date to receive the funds in to your bank. Alternatively, you can use your own merchant bank account and process the bookings yourself. Although you will receive the funds in to your bank within a few days, you will also be responsible for checking and processing transactions and have to pay for a merchant account setup and monthly fees.\n\nMost of the booking system providers offer different packages aimed at different accommodation types and sizes, don’t be afraid to negotiate a better deal if you have a lot of cottages or are a large hotel or large bed and breakfast.\n
What booking systems are available?
\nBelow are a few popular booking systems used by both large corporate hotels chains through to small single unit accommodations. \n\nEviivo – www.eviivo.com\n
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- Large company with links with over 150
- Well developed system
- Mobile friendly
- Trip adviser
- – Slow customer service
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\nSupercontrol – www.supercontrol.co.uk\n
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- Links with trip adviser and lots of other channels
- Mobile friendly
- Links to your merchant account
- Well developed system and friendly staff
- Annual fees instead transaction fees
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\nHoliday Lettings – www.holidaylettings.co.uk\n
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- Owned by trip advisor
- Low commission fee
- Group cottage option – merge for larger groups
- – Crowded market place
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\nFree 2 Book – www.freetobook.com\n
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- Low cost booking system
- Lots of channels
- increasingly popular with smaller properties
- Mobile friendly
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\nIf you need more advice or a new mobile friendly website for your accommodation business then call 01823 726077 for a free quote.
