Did you know that 75% of travelers book their stay within the first 15 listings on an OTA? Guests often don’t scroll past the top results, even when the prices are the same. For properties relying solely on OTAs, this means intense competition for visibility and lost opportunities to build direct relationships with guests. That is why you need to know these direct booking secrets you need to optimize your website to outperform competitors.
Relying on direct booking will reduce your dependency on OTAs and save on costs. It will also help you attract more guests, increase revenue, and reduce reliance on third-party platforms.
10 Direct Booking Secrets Every Property Manager Must Know
1. Leverage the power of data
Data is central to personalizing guest experiences. It uncovers patterns that can help you fine-tune your marketing strategies.
Start by analyzing trends like:
- Seasonality: When do most bookings occur? For example, are weekend getaways popular?
- Room preferences: Which room types or amenities do guests favor most?
- Booking channels: Are guests booking via OTAs or directly through your website?
Set up tools like a property management system or Google Analytics to track and organize your data. PriceLabs’ dynamic pricing tool also helps you turn raw data into actionable insights. It analyzes real-time market trends and historical data, such as market demand, competitor pricing, and booking patterns, to recommend the optimal price for your property.
Read More: How Rent Live Play Ranked in the Top 1% on Airbnb and Increased Occupancy by 25%.
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Sign Up For Free Trial2. Improve visibility using social media
Before guests book, they browse. So connecting to users before they arrive at your property is inevitable.
Instagram and Facebook are no longer tools for posting pretty pictures. Instead:
- Share your property’s story through reels or carousels.
- Highlight unique features like local attractions, exclusive amenities, or “behind-the-scenes” content.
- Run polls or Q&A sessions to engage potential guests.
3. Keep a single line of communication from inquiry to booking
Confusion kills conversions. To maintain a single line of communication from inquiry to booking, keep these tips in mind:
- Use AI chatbots or live chat to provide instant support.
- Simplify communication and send booking confirmations directly to guests.
- Be active on Instagram or Facebook Messenger to engage with inquiries.
- Ensure a timely response to all guests’ queries.
Check out our guide to further boost repeat guests through your direct booking website.
4. Use content marketing to attract guests
Although only 29% of hoteliers rely on content marketing, it remains a powerful tool for driving direct traffic.
- Create videos or photo guides showcasing your rooms, amenities, or views.
- Publish blog posts on nearby attractions or “Top 5 Things to Do” lists.
- Feature testimonials or UGC (user-generated content).
5. Multi-channel customer support
Guests want to reach you where it’s convenient for them, not just where it’s convenient for you. That’s why offering multi-channel customer support is vital for direct bookings.
Be available on platforms like email, chat, WhatsApp, social media, and even phone.
For example, some guests might DM you on Instagram to ask about a specific room, while others might prefer live chat on your website for quick questions about pricing.
6. Ensure a smooth booking process
A slow website or clunky forms are an easy way to repel potential guests. In fact, 1 in 4 visitors abandon sites that take over 4 seconds to load. Hence,
- Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to improve your site’s load time.
- Implement intuitive booking forms with fewer fields.
- Offer multiple payment options (e.g.credit card, PayPal, UPI).
7. Build a user-friendly website
According to HubSpot, 76% of consumers say the most important factor in a website’s usability is ease of finding information. Make navigation intuitive, ensure your site is mobile-friendly, and highlight essential details like rates and contact info to keep guests on your site longer.
For example, the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes hotel’s homepage has a clean design, modern typography, and a calming color palette, making the layout both elegant and easy to read.
Plus, it has an inviting “BOOK NOW” button alongside a handy chat option, which helps users navigate and engage with the site easily.
8. Build trust with social proof
Reviews, testimonials, and user-generated content are digital word-of-mouth, reassuring guests that your property delivers on its promises.
- Encourage past guests to leave reviews on your property’s Google listing, social media, or website.
- Ask guests to tag you in their photos and share experiences with a branded hashtag.
9. Promise the best rate on direct booking
Guests love a good deal. While OTAs claim to offer the lowest prices, you can beat them with a simple banner saying “Best Rate Guarantee” on your website’s homepage or booking page.
Note: Use clear CTAs like “Book directly with us to save 15% on your next booking!”. When guests see tangible savings, you’re more likely to get direct bookings for short-term rentals.
10. Target OTA visitors to book through your website via email campaigns
OTAs may bring you new guests; however, with targeted email marketing, you can drive future bookings to your website directly.
Here’s how:
- Offer exclusive discounts to past guests. For example, “Here’s 15% off your next visit when you book directly.”
- Create loyalty programs—let guests earn reward points or perks for every direct booking.
- Share updates about your property, events, and seasonal promotions via email.
Conclusion
All the direct booking secrets mentioned in this blog post aim to build a lasting relationship with guests. Whether that’s through social media, email marketing, or offering a memorable guest experience, guests love a personalized touch. When they feel valued and connected to your property, they’re more likely to return and recommend you to others, driving repeat bookings, enhancing your revenue potential, and boosting your bottom line.