Many investors dream of owning a vacation home in Columbia, SC. It's a chance to secure high rates for a property, have it booked throughout the year, and make great returns on their money.
But that will only happen if guests are knocking down your door to make bookings. That's easier said than done. There is a trick to managing bookings and reservations and perfecting the process. Here's what you need to know.
Have an Efficient Booking Process
Booking should be easy and quick for you and your guests. So, look at how your current process works from start to finish and identify areas where you can streamline it and make it more efficient, such as:
- Online booking form
- A clear, user-friendly path
- As few steps as possible
- Transparent pricing
- Email confirmation
Guests should receive confirmation and booking instructions by email immediately. It reduces inquiries and confusion.
Use Booking Management Software
It's crucial that you're able to access that information after a booking is made and take the next steps, like preparing the room for your guests' arrival and sorting specific requests like high chairs or wheelchair access.
It's better to use a proper reservation management system than try to handle everything manually. A reservation system setup will reduce errors, which could result in an unhappy guest and a bad review.
Ensure Your Policies Are Clear
Even if your booking and reservation process is smooth, you must take extra steps to communicate your rules and policies to guests. For example, you must outline how guests can cancel and whether they will get a refund.
Being upfront saves you from many queries or disputes later. These policies should also be transparent. For example, if you have cleaning fees, outline the costs before a guest reserves the property and explain under what circumstances you'd charge this fee.
Policies should also be reasonable and flexible. Guests don't want to feel tied to restrictive terms during an emergency.
Show Real-Time Availability
People are used to booking things online, and most are familiar with booking calendars that allow them to view availability and prices.
If you don't have this, you could be missing out on potential guests who don't want the hassle of making an inquiry and waiting days for a response. Some may simply look elsewhere.
So invest in an online booking calendar for your website or use a third-party booking platform to give potential guests what they need.
Offer an Easy Checkout Process
When guests want to leave for their airport or to get on the road, they don't want to spend a lot of time waiting to check out.
Make it as easy as possible. Minimize form filling, and if you need forms completed, ask guests to do it the night before their checkout instead.
Managing Bookings and Reservations: Some Final Thoughts
When managing bookings and reservations, remember this rule: it must be simple. Offering convenience and simplicity to your guests will result in more back-to-back bookings. If you're struggling to implement these tips, you can get professional help.
PMI Soda City is a short-term rental specialist who can help you maximize the value of your vacation property. We offer a personal service and you'll always have a local expert to support you.
Contact us to learn more about our services in Columbia, SC.
