Why Property Managers NEED a Website with Eric Goldreyer of bnbfinder

In this episode of The Vacation Rental Show: How We Grow , host Lynell Gordon sits down with Eric Goldreyer , CEO of Savvy . Together, they explore why it is essential for the property managers of today to have a direct booking system and website.

Eric is CEO of Savvy inder, a book-direct marketplace that drives reservations directly to a property manager’s website, saving money for both the property manager and the traveler. He is also Co-Owner of Sage Hill Inn & Spa and Founder of FunAir , the leading manufacturer of inflatable water toys in the superyacht industry.

This episode is sponsored by Streamline.

?

Shifting to Direct Bookings

Over the next two years, Eric doesn’t believe there will be a revolution in the hospitality industry. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any change.

The main difference he thinks we will see is a greater push towards direct reservations and disintermediating big OTAs. After all, we are already seeing that shift today.

Property managers are realizing that direct reservations come with benefits for everybody. Booking through an OTA causes a mark-up in price of up to 20%, whereas booking directly is guaranteed to give travelers the best price. That means they could spend more money with you, whether in the booking process or during their stay.?

"I think everybody wins on the supply side and the demand side when the traveler can book direct, whether it's the savings or we feel, honestly, a higher level of hospitality.”

?

Make It Easy For Your Customers

"I would say: Have a website, answer your phones, and make sure that you're also taking advantage of other tools that drive those travelers to your own website once you have it.”

Eric has three pieces of advice for property managers: get a website, answer your phones, and leverage tools that drive travelers to your website once it is set up.

It’s surprising, but many property managers today still do not have their own website, instead choosing to solely rely on third-party platforms and OTAs. If vacation rentals are a hobby, not a business, then this is okay, but if you are looking to make money and grow your property portfolio then you need a website.?

This is the only way to give customers the most cost-effective options, which will then drive them to book longer, more frequent stays with you.?

Today, there are internet sleuths actively searching for the best price, and so they seek out property manager’s websites.

"There are savvy travelers that are trying to book directly with PMs. Make that as easy as you can because you're costing your travelers money to spend with the OTA that they could have spent with you.”

So, by only appearing on third-party platforms and OTAs, you are effectively making it harder for your customers to stay with you.?

When a simple fix exists, i.e. setting up a website and direct booking system, it seems silly not to set yourself up for the extra customers, revenue, and reputation. So, what are you waiting for?!

To listen to the full conversation between Lynell and Eric on How We Grow, follow the links here:

Apple: https://apple.co/4bzBpdy

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3InYanV