Is it worth it to have an apartment or guesthouse website for short-term rentals?

If you own an apartment or guesthouse with rooms for short-term rentals, you should consider the necessity of having your own website. Of course, there are popular platforms such as Booking.com and Airbnb.com that allow you to showcase your listing and make reservations. However, using these platforms involves paying a commission on each booking. If you have a unique, stylish apartment or rooms in an interesting location, you may want to consider investing in a customized website with its own booking engine. The decision is up to you, but it’s worth reviewing the most important information about creating and maintaining such a site for an apartment or guesthouse offering short-term rentals.

What should an apartment or guesthouse website contain?

A website should not only be aesthetically pleasing and clear, but also functional, intuitive and contain basic information and functions. The website of the apartment or guesthouse should include:

• Basic contact information, such as the name of the place, address, owner’s contact information, contact form and directions.
• Photos of the interior of the apartment or guesthouse and possibly the surrounding area, grouped into categories (each apartment or room separately), especially if you offer several rooms or apartments for rent.
• A detailed description of the facilities of the apartments or rooms in the guesthouse, including information such as the type of bathroom (shower or bathtub), the number and type of beds, available storage furniture, the presence of a refrigerator, kettle, towels, hair dryer, iron, etc.
• Information about attractions in the area that may be of interest to visitors, especially first-time visitors. It is worth pointing out interesting tourist sites and good restaurants or cafes where guests will have a nice time.
• A booking engine that will allow guests to make reservations without having to move to other platforms. An apartment or guesthouse website without the ability to book becomes just an informational site that will not contribute to profits.

In addition to the previously mentioned elements, it is also worth including space for guest reviews and testimonials on the apartment or guesthouse website. Guests often rely on other people’s opinions before booking, so allowing them to leave feedback on their stay can influence trust and attract new customers.

Other features that can be added to an apartment or guesthouse website include:

• Photo Gallery: Additional photos not included in the main presentation of the apartment or rooms can provide guests with more detailed information about the look and feel of the place.
• Availability Calendar: Displaying the current availability calendar for rooms or apartments will allow guests to see if the selected date is free, making it easier for them to book.
• Price list and cancellation policy: Transparent presentation of the price list and cancellation policy on the site will help guests get an idea of the rental conditions and avoid possible misunderstandings.
• Information about promotions and discounts: If you offer periodic promotions or discounts, it’s a good idea to include this information on your site to attract the attention of potential customers.

It is also important to make sure that the site is responsive, meaning that it adapts to different devices, such as computers, tablets and cell phones. Many visitors browse accommodation listings on mobile devices, so the site should be easy to view and use on smaller screens.

Remember, keeping your website up-to-date and responding promptly to inquiries and reservations are key to ensuring a positive guest experience and building a good reputation for your apartment or guesthouse.

If you’re not sure how to get started creating a website or don’t have the technical skills to do so, consider using a professional webmaster or web development agency.

Is a booking engine necessary for an apartment or guesthouse website?

An apartment or guesthouse website without a real-time booking function only serves an informational role. These days, with most customers preferring to shop and pay online, calling to make a reservation is less popular. Guests prefer the convenience of booking online and paying for their stay quickly. This form of booking is beneficial for both guests and the owner, as it simplifies and speeds up the booking process.

The booking engine should be linked to the calendar to keep busy dates in mind. This will allow customers to find a free date on their own when making a reservation. The owner has the ability to customize booking parameters, such as minimum number of nights, price, additional packages or promotions, as well as manage bookings, which streamlines work.

Having your own booking engine on your website saves you a lot of money. The owner of an apartment or guesthouse does not have to pay commission fees to third-party booking platforms. Profits are not shared, and the money saved can be used to improve the quality of services, which in turn will lead to further growth and higher profits.

What mistakes not to make on an apartment or guesthouse website?

In order for an apartment or guesthouse website to attract visitors, it must be responsive, intuitive and contain basic information. Unfortunately, sometimes due to goodwill or inattention, owners make mistakes and oversights that cause potential visitors to leave the site quickly. What are the most common mistakes?

• Overloading the page with too much information – the principle of “what’s too much is unhealthy” also applies here. Too much text, too much content and too many pictures can overwhelm the site visitor and discourage them from making a booking.
• Lack of basic contact information, unanswered messages and unresponsive phone calls – before making a reservation, many people want to consult on certain issues (such as the possibility of bringing a pet or an extra person), so the lack of contact or lack of response may result in cancellation of the reservation.
• No or a few unclear photos – it’s not about the quantity, but the quality of the photos. There is no need to add hundreds of “arbitrary” photos. It is better to post 30 professional photographs that show the assets of the room, apartment, facility or garden. A complete lack of photos or a few blurry ones may discourage a potential guest who would like to know what they are paying for and whether the interior matches their expectations.
• Occurrence of errors on the site – these can be either stylistic errors, related to basic information, or related to the operation of the site or connection to the server. Before making the site available to customers, it should be checked several times to eliminate all errors. Outdated data and information should also be updated regularly.

Marketing the website of an apartment or guesthouse for short-term rentals

The first step is to create a Facebook page and invite all your friends to like the page, and encourage them to invite their friends. To gain more likes and watchers, it’s a good idea to publish regular posts such as:

• Photos showing renovations carried out or new additions to an apartment or guesthouse.
• Information about interesting events that will take place in the near future in the area where the facility is located.
• Contests that offer prizes (such as a discount on your next stay) and encourage observers to invite their friends to check out the offer.
• Updates to inform you of price changes, check-in and check-out times, and any changes in rental conditions.

Having your own apartment or guesthouse website allows you not only to build your brand, but also to create a customer base. You can send text messages or emails to visitors who have agreed to receive marketing content, with information or incentives for future visits.

Having your own website doesn’t mean you can’t list your apartment or room on popular platforms such as Booking.com or Airbnb.com. However, it is worth offering guests from external platforms some small discount on their next visit, but only if they book directly through the facility’s individual website. It’s also a good idea to offer discounts for recommending services.

Custom site design or using a third-party booking engine license?

The option to create a customized website for an apartment or guesthouse by a programmer and graphic designer can cost up to several thousand zlotys. Before deciding on such a solution, all aspects should be carefully considered. It is necessary to plan the appearance, layout of the site and functionality of the booking engine. The return on such an investment will come only after several years. An alternative approach is to use a license from a third-party online reservation system provider. You can partner with an IT company that, using one of its templates, will create a responsive website that allows customers to make reservations. Fees for such a solution can be set on the basis of a fixed annual or monthly subscription, depending on the company and the functionality of the reservation system. As a result, the owner of the apartment or guesthouse pays a regular, small fee and does not have to initially invest large sums of money.

What benefits does a facility owner receive when choosing to work with a booking engine website licensor?

• It gets a responsive and modern website that can be customized according to individual needs and preferences.
• It has the ability to put information about the facility, photos, contact information, opening hours, etc. on the site.
• It has a booking engine that allows guests to choose their own free dates and make payments online.
• It has access to an admin panel that allows real-time management of the website.
• It can build its own customer base.
• It uses marketing functionality to help increase bookings (thanks to its customer base).
• It can maintain a blog and calendar of events.
• It receives a bilingual or trilingual version of the system.
• It has ongoing technical support and system updates.