Get the most from your online booking engine
An online booking engine is your route to commission-free direct bookings for your vacation rentals. It is a way for you to optimise your resort’s sales and marketing strategy, maximise profit, and reduce the dominance of the OTAs. While at the same time making it quick and easy for guests to search, book and receive the best prices.
But are you making the most of your online booking engine? The Merlin team has put together this simple checklist to make sure that you make the most of your online booking engine.
But first, what is an online booking engine?
In simple terms, an online booking engine is an application on your website that captures and processes direct online reservations.
It works by plugging into your website and processing secure online reservations made through the website. The data is then collected directly onto your property management system so you can access and manage the bookings.
It’s a highly convenient way for guests to make a reservation. It displays rates and availability in real-time, allows guests to search and select their dates and finalise the reservation. And it should also have other features such as the automation of reservation confirmation emails.
An online booking engine can also integrate with a channel manager such as SiteMinder, Revinate and TravelTripper.
So, now that you have this technology, how do you make the most of it? Here are some top tips:
Integration
OK, this is rather obvious, but ensure that your online booking engine fully integrates your website and property management system. Doing so will provide the smooth and professional online experience that your customers are expecting. And make administration of all your bookings much more manageable.
Merlin Software has a suite of WebApps that includes a rental booking app that sits within your website and provides search, book and pay functionality for your vacation rentals.
The Merlin mini-vacation WebApp allows your marketing clients to search, book and pay for their promotional accommodation. Then, book their vacation ownership tour – directly from your website in real-time.
Live inventory
Ensure that you enable a live inventory on your website so that customers can search availability and book their accommodation in real-time.
Merlin Software’s WebApps work with our Merlin Classic Software to provide real-time availability and live bookings that integrate with all Merlin’s modules.
Upsell
Take advantage of your guests being in ‘vacation mode’ and upsell your booking by offering additional services such as tours, activities, spa treats, and golf tee-times. These should be available through the online booking engine so guests can book there and then.
Merlin Software’s rental booking WebApp includes functionality to allow guests to select, add and pay for additional services such as airport transfers, newspapers and baby equipment.
Offer flexibility
Take advantage of the different ways that your booking engine is utilised. So, reservations can be made online, in person, on a mobile app or on the telephone.
Merlin’s WebApps can be accessed by all your departments and anywhere with an internet connection, subject to your requirements. This means that your clients, call centre staff, reservation department, and marketing team can book reservations.
Be mobile-friendly
Check that your online booking engine is mobile friendly and allows customers to find and book your accommodation on any device, anywhere and anytime.
Merlin Software’s WebApps are responsive and can be viewed on all mobile devices.
Keep it simple
Make sure that your booking forms are short and that the booking and payment processes are seamless. This is especially important for bookings made on mobile devices.
Merlin Software’s WebApp booking processes are designed specifically for our clients and can be as simple or complex as you require.
Secure payment gateway
Use an online booking engine with a secure payment gateway, and if it accepts payments in foreign currencies, even better. A payment gateway allows bookings to be made and paid for immediately and provides credibility and reassurance for the guest.
All payments made through Merlin’s WebApps redirect to a third-party payment gateway or clearing provider. No credit card information is stored within Merlin or by the email provider.
Foreign language
When international travel returns, ensure you translate your booking process into the languages of your key markets. This will keep guests on your website and improve their customer experience.
All Merlin’s WebApps can be translated into the languages of your choice.
Keep in contact
Use the functionality built into your booking engine to send confirmation emails, reminder emails, and upsell emails once the booking is complete and before arrival.
Merlin’s WebApps integrate with Merlin Classic functionality so that you can send a range of communications directly from the software.
Merlin Software’s suite of WebApps
Merlin Software has a range of WebApps that work with our online booking engine to make it easy for your guests to search, book, pay, check-in, and check out online.
Built for our points-based clients, points and floating members can search and book accommodation, check balances, order guests’ certificates and services and then book and confirm.
Incorporating a gateway to your credit card merchant, your members can make online payments for maintenance fees, reservations, and services.
The Merlin Rental Booking WebApp allows your owners or renting public to find available accommodation from your rental pool, check your booking rules, confirm their booking, order additional items online, make payment and receive confirmation. It is live and in real-time.
It will allow your guests to manage their entire stay at your property, including checking in and checking out themselves from the Guest App.
The Guest Pay WebApp offers remote account settlement to streamline check-out and payment processes. In addition, resorts can give their customers – be they members, owners and visitors – the option to receive a payment link via email.
If your online booking engine cannot support the activities you need, why not check out Merlin Software’s suite of WebApps? You can arrange a software demo with our Head of Sales, Mark Thomas, on markt@quickmerlin.com or complete our online demo request form [link].
