Benefits of the Direct Booking Website for Hosts

The Direct Booking Website gives you a professional, ready-made booking presence — without needing technical skills, additional tools, or a complex setup. It's a simple way to start accepting direct bookings today while building a more resilient, independent business over time.

How to access your Direct Booking Website

1. Log in to your Holidu host account.
2. Click Direct bookings in the left-hand menu.
3. Select My website and widget.

Note: This option is available to primary account holders only — not secondary collaborators.

What you get: core benefits at a glance

Benefit	What it means for you
Live in minutes	No technical setup — your website is ready quickly, connected to your pricing and availability
6% Holidu fee only	Direct bookings are charged just a 6% Holidu fee, compared to a typical 15% channel commission on platforms — more margin on every booking
Configurable direct booking discount	Offer guests 5%, 10%, or 15% off to make your direct channel more attractive
SEO-friendly design	Built to be discoverable on Google — helping new guests find and book you directly
Custom domain & branding	Use your own domain (e.g. www.yourvilla.com), upload your logo, and choose your colors
Automatic sync	Calendar, pricing, and property details stay aligned with your Holidu account — no manual updates
Up to 8 languages	Your website is automatically translated, so you can reach international guests without extra effort

Built-in tools that handle the work for you

Every direct booking runs through the full Holidu infrastructure — the same systems used across all your bookings:

• Secure payment handling — payments collected and processed automatically; no bank transfers or manual follow-ups
• Automated guest messaging — scheduled messages sent at every stage of the guest journey (confirmation, check-in, during stay, post-stay)
• Professional invoicing — generated automatically and compliant with local requirements
• Online guest check-in — guest data collected in advance and submitted to local authorities (where available)
• Damage protection (Holidu Protect) — direct bookings covered by the same protection setup, removing the need for manual deposits
• Direct Booking Offer Tool — send personalized offers or booking links directly to guests from your calendar to convert enquiries into confirmed bookings

Everything in one place

You're not just getting a booking page — you're connecting to the full Holidu system:

• All bookings — direct and from booking channels — managed in one calendar
• Real-time availability sync across all channels, helping prevent double bookings
• One inbox for all guest communication, including direct booking guests

How to drive more direct bookings

The website does the heavy lifting — your promotion drives the results.

1. Share your link everywhere

• Email signature, business cards, and WhatsApp status
• QR codes on your property doors
• Regular posts on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn
• Your Google Business Profile (see below)

2. Target the right guests first

• Returning guests are the easiest to convert — they already trust you
• Local networks: friends, family, local businesses and contacts

3. Build a professional presence

• Set up a custom domain and connect it to a Google Business Profile so guests can find and book you on Google Maps
• Complete your About section to build a personal connection with potential guests
• Upload your logo and choose your branding colors and theme

4. Activate the Host Website Discount

Offer guests a configurable discount (5%, 10%, or 15%) for booking directly through your website or booking widget — making your direct channel more competitive than platform listings.

5. Add the booking widget to your existing website

If you already have a website, you can embed the Holidu booking engine directly using a script, or link to it so it opens in a new window. No technical skills are needed for the link option; for script integration, coordinate with your webmaster or your local Holidu contact (where available).

How to create a Google Business Profile

A Google Business Profile makes your property discoverable on Google Search and Google Maps — and lets you link directly to your booking website.

1. Open Google Maps and sign in with your email address.
2. Click the three horizontal bars in the search bar to open the side menu.
3. Select Add your business.
4. Enter your business name, category (e.g. holiday rental, agro-tourism), and address.
5. Link to your Host Website booking URL.

Once live, guests can find your property, read reviews, and book directly — without going through a booking channel.

FAQ

Do I need technical skills to set up my Host Website?

No. It takes a few minutes and requires no technical knowledge. Your website is automatically translated into up to eight languages.

Can I use the Host Website if I already have a website?

Yes — add the Holidu booking widget to your existing site. For script integration, your webmaster can help, or coordinate via your local Holidu contact (where available). Alternatively, use a direct link that opens the booking engine in a new window.

Are direct bookings secure?

Yes. Guests benefit from secure payments, transparent cancellation policies, and Holidu's support team.

What if I update my property details?

Any changes in your Holidu account sync automatically to your Host Website.

How do I reduce costs and increase margins?

Direct bookings via your Host Website are charged at 6% commission — significantly less than third-party platforms. Combined with the direct booking discount feature, you can price competitively while earning more per booking.

The Bottom Line

The Direct Booking Website gives you more than a booking page — it gives you a foundation to grow a direct channel over time:

• A professional starting point that's live in minutes
• Lower commission, better margins, and broad automation across the booking workflow
• A system that compounds as more guests come back and book directly

You don't need to change everything at once — you just need a place to start, and a simple way to build from there.