Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2021 · 18 posts · 3 votes
Would any of you all be willing to share what systems you have in place to accept and market your direct bookings?
I understand you need a Property Management Software (PMS) that can link to your direct booking website and some kind of payment processor. Just interested to see what people are using out there. Would love to see some website links as well.
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
5y
Most of my booking come in from Vrbo, a few from Airbnb. Other off platform bookings I type up a one page lease for their week, get a copy of their drivers license and they send me a check or pay via paypal or similar.
Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
5y
They respond to my online ads, billboard and other advertising. We meet at the property. I show it to them. They pay me cash or they use a credit card. I use a Square card reader to charge their card. It's pretty simple. You don't need any Property Management Software, and I have 83 beds in 23 properties. Sometimes I give them a drug screen first, but that is another story.
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
5y
Hey @Will Parks, so far I have only taking a couple of direct bookings. I get the majority from VRBO and AirBNB. I do what @John Underwood does. I do get repeat guests but they always choose to book through the sites.
Rental Property Investor · The Villages, FL · Member since 2017 · 341 posts · 397 votes
5y
In Lieu of having a website, I direct any inquiries I recieve from Facebook, Google or zillow to Houfy.com. It is a booking platform that is free for hosts and guests. You can set up credit card payments through STRIPE or SQUARE or take payments how ever you choose. You have direct contact with the guests. The site makes it simple for guests to look at your availability on the calendar, pictures, information & rental agreement. All that you could do through your own websitw. As it grows I hope to get more bookings directly from the Houfy website. I have had a couple that actually found my listings on Houfy, so word is getting around. I have had quite a few direct bookings in the last week.
Property Manager · TX · Member since 2021 · 8 posts · 1 vote
5y
VRBO and Airbnb, I also have a website for my listings where I have the option to direct book. I mostly use the website to boost SEO and have links to my other listings on VRBO and Airbnb.
Leander TX · Member since 2020 · 179 posts · 150 votes
5y
@Valerie Rogers For your direct booking site, did you use an OwnerRez template or a custom wordpress site? I've heard google likes wordpress when it comes to SEO.