As we head towards the end of the year, hotel managers everywhere are crunching numbers and plotting strategies for 2025. One thing that should be high on your priority list? Direct booking tools.
In a world where OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) gobble up a significant slice of your revenue through hefty commissions, it’s time to take back control. Direct bookings give you a bigger piece of the pie, plus a stronger relationship with your guests. Win-win, right?
Now, we all know OTAs have their place—they bring visibility, and in some cases, bookings you might not have gotten otherwise. But those 15-25% commission fees are a killer. And let’s not forget: when a guest books through an OTA, you’re basically renting a customer. They see your brand on the platform, but they don’t necessarily become your customer.
Direct booking tools, on the other hand, help turn a casual browser into a loyal guest who’ll keep coming back—without you having to pay a middleman every time.
Why Direct Booking Tools Are a Must
Direct bookings put money back into your pocket by cutting out the middleman—simple as that. When a guest books directly, you save on commissions and get access to invaluable data about their preferences, helping you create memorable, tailored stays. Personalisation is everything, and the more you know about your guests, the more likely they’ll return.
Beyond the financial benefits, direct bookings give you complete control of your brand experience. On your own site, you can engage guests with your hotel’s story, showcase unique features, and provide exclusive offers that OTAs just can’t compete with. And by offering things like loyalty perks or special deals, you’ll build a customer base that keeps coming back—without OTA interference.
What to Look for in Direct Booking Tools
When choosing direct booking tools, ease of use is a must. Guests won’t stick around if the process is too complicated. Integration with your current systems—like your PMS and CRM—is also essential. Everything should work together smoothly to offer real-time availability, dynamic pricing, and personalised offers.
Also, keep an eye on tools that boost conversions. Direct booking systems should feature smart notifications and incentives that encourage guests to book now rather than later. And, of course, full data ownership is key—you want to be in control of your guest info, not locked out by a third-party tool.
Why Userguest Should Be in Your 2025 Budget
This is where Userguest comes in, and it’s a direct booking game-changer. Userguest helps you convert lookers into bookers with real-time, personalised notifications that nudge guests to complete their bookings. Whether it’s a limited-time offer or a well-placed price comparison, Userguest’s smart notifications keep guests engaged and booking directly with you.
What makes Userguest so effective is its ability to read guest behaviour and trigger smart notifications. Let’s say a guest is browsing your site and lingers on the booking page without completing their reservation. Userguest can step in with a well-timed offer—maybe a small discount or a free upgrade—to give them that final nudge. These notifications aren’t spammy either; they’re tailored to each guest, making them feel relevant and enticing.
Userguest integrates seamlessly with your existing systems, so no need to overhaul your tech. By boosting direct bookings and helping you retain guest data, Userguest reduces your reliance on OTAs, meaning more profits stay with you.
Hotels using Userguest have already seen a significant increase in direct bookings, and its easy-to-use analytics let you track what’s working and refine your approach for even better results.
The Bottom Line
As you plan your budget for 2025, prioritising direct booking tools should be a no-brainer. Direct bookings mean higher profits, better guest relationships, and more control over your brand. And with a tool like Userguest, you’ll be perfectly positioned to maximise every website visit and turn it into revenue.
And here’s the best part: you can try Userguest risk-free! We’re offering a free demo and a 30-day free trial with no commitment. It’s the perfect opportunity to see how Userguest can boost your direct bookings and cut down on OTA commissions—completely obligation-free.
So, as you map out your 2024 strategy, make sure Userguest is at the top of your list. It’s time to take control of your bookings, increase your profits, and build a stronger, more loyal guest base—without the OTAs taking a cut.
Book your free demo.