5 Ways to Increase Commission-Free Direct Bookings for Hotels and Motels
The accommodation industry nowadays is heavily focused towards online travel agents (OTAs) taking a significant chunk of your revenue, so it’s more important than ever before to increase direct bookings to maintain profitability. By implementing the right strategies, you can reduce reliance on third-party platforms and maximise commission-free direct reservations.
Why Direct Bookings Matter for Hotels & Motels
For accommodation providers, increasing direct bookings is key to maximising revenue and reducing dependence on Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). By encouraging ‘booking direct’, hotels and motels can avoid high commission fees, build stronger customer relationships and provide a better guest experience.
But how can hotels and motels increase direct bookings effectively? Here are five proven strategies to help you take control of your reservations and boost revenue.
1. Create A High-Quality, Conversion-Focused Website
Your website is your digital storefront, and first impressions count. A well-designed, mobile-friendly website with clear navigation and compelling visuals is essential for converting visitors into guests.
Key elements of a high-converting hotel website:
- Mobile-friendly and easy to navigate – Most travellers book via mobile, so a responsive design is crucial.
- Clear calls to action (CTAs) – Make the ‘Book Now’ button prominent and easy to find.
- Compelling content – Looks professionally designed with high-quality images and engaging content
- SEO-optimised – Ensure you’re found on Google and rank well for relevant search terms
- Fast loading speed – Slow websites drive potential guests away.
- Trust signals – Include guest reviews, awards, and security badges to build credibility.
A well-designed and well-structured website builds trust and encourages visitors to book directly instead of seeking alternatives on OTA platforms.
2. Use A Seamlessly Integrated Booking Engine
A booking engine is essential for converting website visitors into confirmed guests and it should be an extension of your website, not an obvious third-party add-on. Guests should feel like they are booking directly with you, without being redirected to an unfamiliar external platform.
Features of a high-quality booking engine:
- User-friendly interface – Ensure the process is simple, hassle-free and be easy to use on both desktop and mobile devices.
- Real-time availability updates – Guests should see accurate room availability and receive instant confirmation.
- Secure and mobile-friendly – A mobile-responsive and secure checkout process improves conversion rates.
- Match your website’s branding and design
A well-integrated booking engine creates a frictionless experience that increases the likelihood of direct bookings and enhances guest confidence.
3. Implement A Fully Integrated Payment Gateway
Guests want to feel secure when entering their credit card details. A fully integrated payment gateway simplifies transactions for both guests and hoteliers, reducing friction at checkout and increasing booking direct conversions.
Why a payment gateway is essential:
- Reduces friction in the booking process
- Enhances consumer confidence by handling transactions instantly and securely
- Ensures PCI compliance for safe credit card processing
- Enables you to take deposits or full payments seamlessly
- Enables you to take Pre-Authorisations at time of booking
The easier and safer you make the payment process, the more likely guests are to book directly with you.
4. Optimise Your Google Presence
Google is the first stop for many travellers when searching for accommodation. A strong Google presence is critical for getting guests to visit your website and book direct with you. Since many travellers begin their hotel search on Google, optimising your business listing is essential.
Steps to improve your Google presence:
- Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile – Ensure you verify your profile and your contact details, website and images are up to date.
- Keep your info up to date – Ensure contact details, website link and business hours updated.
- Encourage guest reviews – Positive reviews enhance your ranking and credibility.
- Post regular updates – Share promotions, events, and high-quality photos.
- Optimise for local SEO – Use keywords like ‘hotel in [location]’ to appear in relevant searches.
- Use high quality photos – Upload high-quality photos that showcase your property.
An up-to-date Google presence helps increase visibility and builds trust with potential guests, making it easier for them to choose direct booking over an OTA.
5. List Your Property on Google Hotels
Google Hotels is a powerful tool for reaching travellers who are actively searching for accommodation. By listing your property, you increase visibility and provide a direct booking option.
Benefits of Google Hotels:
- Higher visibility in search results – Appear in Google Maps and hotel searches.
- Direct booking links – Reduce reliance on OTAs and drive traffic to your website.
- Competitive advantage – Stand out from competitors relying solely on OTAs.
By leveraging Google Hotels, you can make your property more discoverable and convert searchers into direct bookers, reducing your reliance on OTAs.
The Benefits of Booking Direct for Accommodation Owners
Encouraging guests to book direct offers several advantages for accommodation providers, including:
- Increased revenue – Avoid OTA commission fees and keep more of your earnings.
- Stronger customer relationships – Communicate directly with guests before arrival.
- Greater control over pricing and policies – Set your own cancellation and refund policies.
- More personalised guest experiences – Offer exclusive perks for direct bookings.
By implementing these strategies, hotels and motels can successfully increase direct bookings, improve profitability and build long-term guest loyalty.
GuestPoint: Your Partner in Business
At GuestPoint, we don’t just provide software, we partner with motels to help them increase direct, commission-free bookings and grow their business. Our all-in-one property management system includes:
- A fully branded booking engine that integrates seamlessly with your website
- A secure payment gateway that ensures guests can book with confidence
- We offer accommodation-focused website design to create a professional and high-converting online presence, all connected to your PMS
- Get listed on Google Hotels for FREE with tools to help optimise your online presence and improve visibility on Google
With GuestPoint, you get more than just a PMS (property management system), you get a team dedicated to helping your property thrive. Take control of your bookings, reduce dependency on OTAs, and increase your revenue at no extra cost.
Get in touch today to see how GuestPoint can be your true business partner!
Simplify your operations, manage your revenue, and create great experiences with GuestPoint.
