The Direct Booking Website gives you a professional, ready-made booking presence without technical skills, extra tools, or a complex setup. It is a simple way to start accepting direct bookings today and build a more resilient, independent business over time.

How to access your Direct Booking Website

You can open your Direct Booking Website from your Holidu host account under Direct bookings. Only primary account holders can access this option, not secondary collaborators.

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

What you get: core benefits at a glance

Your Direct Booking Website is live in minutes and connected to your pricing and availability. Direct bookings carry a 6% Holidu fee, compared with a typical 15% channel commission on platforms, so you keep more margin on every booking.

Built-in tools that handle the work for you

Every direct booking runs through the same Holidu systems used for all your bookings. This means payments, messages, invoices, and guest data are handled automatically.

• Secure payment handling: payments are collected and processed automatically, with no bank transfers or manual follow-ups.
• Automated guest messaging: scheduled messages are sent at every stage of the guest journey, from confirmation to post-stay.
• Professional invoicing: invoices are generated automatically and comply with local requirements.
• Online guest check-in: guest data is collected in advance and submitted to local authorities, where available.
• Damage protection (Holidu Protect): direct bookings are covered by the same protection setup, so you do not need manual deposits.
• Direct Booking Offer Tool: send personalized offers or booking links to guests from your calendar to turn enquiries into confirmed bookings.

All bookings, both direct and from booking channels, are managed in one calendar. Real-time availability sync across channels helps prevent double bookings, and one inbox handles all guest communication.

How to drive more direct bookings

Your website does the heavy lifting, and your promotion drives the results. Start by sharing your link wherever your guests are, then focus on the guests most likely to book.

1. Share your link everywhere: in your email signature, on business cards, in your WhatsApp status, on QR codes at your property doors, in regular posts on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn, and on your Google Business Profile.
2. Target the right guests first: returning guests are the easiest to convert because they already trust you. Local networks such as friends, family, and local businesses are also a good starting point.
3. Build a professional presence: set up a custom domain, complete your About section to create a personal connection, and upload your logo and choose your branding colors and theme.
4. Activate the Host Website Discount: offer guests 5%, 10%, or 15% off 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 have one: you can link to the booking engine so it opens in a new window, which requires no technical skills. 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. It also lets you link directly to your booking website, so guests can find and book you without going through a booking channel.

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 (for example, holiday rental or agro-tourism), and address.
5. Link to your Host Website booking URL.

FAQ

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

No. Setup 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. You can add the Holidu booking widget to your existing site, or use a direct link that opens the booking engine in a new window. For script integration, your webmaster can help, or you can coordinate with your local Holidu contact, where available.

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 you make 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 a 6% Holidu fee, which is significantly less than typical third-party platform commissions. Combined with the direct booking discount, you can price competitively while earning more per booking.

The bottom line

The Direct Booking Website gives you a foundation for growing a direct channel over time. It is live in minutes, offers lower fees and broad booking automation, and becomes more valuable as more guests return to book directly. You do not need to change everything at once. Start with a simple setup and build from there.