You might think: Do I really need an own website for your vacation rental? Isn't a listing on Airbnb or Booking enough? I don't have a budget for a website. I'm not tech savvy! We understand that. But don't worry. An own website can still be an affordable independent booking channel. It's even a must nowadays! We'll explain you how and why.
Direct bookings are the best bookings. Direct contact with your guests, no middleman, no commissions! An own website lets you build your brand. Your guests will remember you, not just the platform. By using Bookingmood, your website becomes an independent booking channel. Vistors can easily book via your own website. Recurring guests can book directly as well, again and again! Your website can also be easily shared with others, and it won't have competing vacation rentals on it. With your own website, you make all the rules and decisions yourself, without being delivered to the grills of the big players. You're always in control.
There are a lot of easy-to-use website builders nowadays. This means that you don't need any technical knowledge. Some even come with pre-defined templates for vacation rentals. With Bookingmood, you can also create your own website, with just a few mouse clicks. No need to learn code! Website builders are becoming better and more professional every day. Also digital agencies and web designers are starting to love website builders more and more. You can perfectly create your vacation rental website with a website builder.
An own website costs money, but it doesn't have to be expensive. But more important: it's a good investment. With your own website, you will start to receive bookings directly. Whether from new guests or returning guests. It means you don't have to pay commissions to an OTA (Online Tour Operator), like VRBO, for every booking you get via your own website. For example; a single booking worth $ 2000 can cost you $ 300. An own website will cost you less than that per year!
A website the perfect channel to showcase your short term rental unit. Add attractive high resolution photos, videos, floor plans, descriptions and amenities. But you can also provide other valuable information. You can list all things to do in the environment. You can create an agenda with events that your guest can visit. You can share tips and tricks. Potential guests love to explore possibilities and get a good sense of your vacation rental. Your own website is the best channel to convince your potential guests to book their stay with you.
Whether you use your own vacation rental website as a primary booking channel, or as an extra booking channel; you will get more bookings! People will find you via Google or other search engines. Happy guests will recommend your stay to other people and send them your website address. You can link to your own vacation rental website on your social media accounts and in ads. Bookings can come from all kind of sources! Simple add Bookingmood to your website, and start receiving bookings!
You've now learned why it's important to have your own short term rental website. But, how do you create one? There are a lot of website builders to choose from. When you're building your website, you can use Bookingmood to show the availability on your website, or to accept online bookings. We've written a lot of step-by-step manuals for various website builders. Bookingmood also provides a website builder. Build and launch your own website easily, with an integrated booking calendar.