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

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

This option is available to primary account holders only, not secondary collaborators.

What you get: core benefits at a glance

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 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 manual deposits are not needed.
• Direct Booking Offer Tool: send personalized offers or booking links directly to guests from your calendar to turn enquiries into confirmed bookings.

All bookings, both direct and from booking channels, are managed in one calendar. Availability syncs in real time across channels, helping prevent double bookings. All guest communication, including with direct booking guests, sits in one inbox.

How to drive more direct bookings

The website does the heavy lifting. Your promotion drives the results.

1. Share your link everywhere: in your email signature, on business cards, in your WhatsApp status, on QR codes at your property entrance, 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 a 5%, 10%, or 15% discount for booking directly through your website or booking widget to make your direct channel more competitive than platform listings.
5. Add the booking widget to your existing website, if applicable: you can embed the Holidu booking engine using a script, or link to it so it opens in a new window. The link option requires no technical skills. For script integration, work 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 (for example, holiday rental or 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. 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. For script integration, your webmaster can help, or you can coordinate with your local Holidu contact, where available. You can also 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 support from the Holidu team.

What happens if I update my property details?

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

How can I reduce costs and increase my margins?

Direct bookings made through your Host Website are charged a 6% Holidu fee, which is significantly less than third-party platform commissions. Combined with the direct booking discount feature, you can price competitively and still earn 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 is live in minutes
• Lower fees, better margins, and automation across the booking workflow
• A system that grows stronger as more guests return to book directly

You don't need to change everything at once. Start with a place to take bookings, then build from there.