10 Tools Your Accommodation Booking System Must Have

Are you currently working with a booking system, or do you wonder about the effectiveness of the one you are using?

In this article, we look at 10 tools your accommodation booking system must have.

If you aren’t sure about the benefits of an online booking system, you’ll find all the information you need right here.

Mobile bookings are on the rise, and if you aren’t leveraging the power of a booking system, you could be missing out. (tweet this)

According to hotels.com, there is an 80% increase in demand for mobile booking capabilities.

While in the past, online booking systems were clumsy and expensive, you’ll find that this is no longer true. Software developments and cloud computing mean you can use an accommodation booking system that is easy-to-use and affordable.

Before we look at the 10 tools, let’s look at why you need an online booking system.

You’ll Increase Sales

An online booking system will increase your sales. Why? It’s the sense of immediacy that online booking meets.

You may have a website, and you may have a contact form for reservations, or perhaps you simply direct site visitors to call you to make a reservation.

This isn’t going to work for you in the 21^st century – you will lose bookings. Today’s consumer wants to book when they want to book, and they want to know it’s confirmed, immediately.

This is the number one reason you want to use an accommodation booking system. This means consumers can choose their dates and their room and then pay and confirm their reservation on their own time without having to talk to you or wait for you.

You’ll Reduce Staffing Costs

Yes, this is true. You can reduce your staffing costs by using an online booking system.

Not only will you reduce costs, but you’ll increase your efficiency as less mistakes are made.

An online system allows you to hire less office staff and concentrate on your guests.

Now, here are the 10 tools your accommodation booking system must have.

#1: Real Time Booking

This is the big bonus for online booking and a must have for your system.

First, you customers can make a reservation whenever they want – this could be 10 am or 4 am. Real time booking allows your customers to book your hotel when it’s convenient for them, and they receive an immediate confirmation of their reservation.

Real time booking eliminates the hassle of phone calls. (tweet this)

#2: Image Gallery

No one wants to book your hotel if they can’t see your rooms, right?

An online booking system must have the ability to incorporate your beautiful, professional hotel photography.

The image gallery lets you highlight the best features of your property and entice your customers.

#3: Call to Action

Your accommodation booking system must let you create and use a visual call to action button that says “Book Now.”

When using a call to action button, make sure it stands out from the rest of the content on your page. The text should be actionable, and the button easy to find.

You should also have the ability to incorporate other call to action buttons such as a “Sign Up” button to gain email subscribers.

#4: Account Creation

Your online system should allow customers to create an online account so they can store their information for next time.

This is a huge bonus and works towards improving your guest’s satisfaction.

#5: Payment Options

You want to be able to choose how you get paid, and you want to make it easy and safe for your customers.

Your system should be able to take credit cards as well as PayPal.

Why PayPal? It’s an increasingly popular choice for your customers. PayPal is easy to use, and stores the credit cards. Plus, your customers can even pay with their credit card via PayPal if they don’t have an account.

Allowing credit cards and PayPal is a professional option and makes it secure and easy for your customers. You show you value their privacy and their security while getting instant payment for their reservation.

The best booking systems allow you to use PayPal.

#6: Credit Card Storage

Premium booking systems also allow customers to store their credit card information safely and securely in their online account.

This is a subtle way to encourage increased bookings at your accommodation.

#7: Calendar

A visual calendar is helpful to you as well as your customers.

The calendar allows your website visitors to easily check availability.

It also allows you the same. You will never double book a room because the availability is updated in real time.

You should also be able to adjust pricing and book over the phone.

The visual calendar – another must have – helps you plan staffing and make your hotel more efficient.

#8: Notifications

Your online accommodation booking system must send customers automatic email confirmations of their reservation.

This enhances the customer experience and confirms the reservation.

In addition, the system should send you an email notice when the booking has been placed.

#9: Currency Settings

Your property might appeal to global travelers, so the addition of currency and language settings would be nice.

This makes appealing to a broader base of tourists an option for your hotel while making it easier for foreign customers to book a reservation.

#10: Cloud Access

Your accommodation booking system should be easy to use. You should be able to manage your bookings, enter phone bookings and retrieve a guest’s information from anywhere.

What’s more, your online system should come with professional customer support in case you need some help.

It should have cloud access so you can manage your property remotely and at any time.

Final Thoughts

One last advantage to an online accommodation booking system is your ability to up-sell your customers.

Up-selling is a great technique to increase your hotel’s growth and profitability, but it’s also good for your customers. Why? It gives you a chance to increase their satisfaction by suggesting additional services or products to enhance their stay.

You can do a lot to build trust through up-selling.

When it comes to up-selling – your online system could recommend upgrading the room, adding breakfast or dinner, access to events, concierge services and more.

Make your life easier today by integrating an online accommodation booking system to your website. Free up your time, save money and meet the needs of your customers by letting them book your hotel from the comfort of their own homes.

Are you looking for a new website with an integrated online booking system? Look no further.

At Hotel Propeller, we build functional, beautiful websites. You’ll find everything you need to attract guests to your hotel through your website. Take a look at our showcase and contact us today.

Images:  Mindaugas Petrutis and Markus Spiske