If you rent a villa, apartment or rooms, you are probably on Booking or Airbnb — fine for visibility. But those platforms take 15-18% commission on every booking. Your own site with direct bookings keeps that money with you.
Why you need your own site too
- No commission. A direct booking means the whole sum is yours — hundreds of euros a year for one apartment.
- Your own rules. Your terms, prices, cancellation policy.
- A direct link to the guest for repeat visits and referrals.
- Trust. A serious guest checks that you exist off-platform too.
Must have
- An availability calendar
- Online booking and payment (or a deposit)
- Many high-quality photos — accommodation sells on images
- Clear seasonal prices and what is included
- Location and nearby attractions
- Reviews — decisive in tourism
Strategy: platform to discover, site to return
Smartest: platforms make you visible to new guests, but steer them to direct booking next time. A card in the apartment, a direct-booking discount, a personal message after the stay. The first night via Booking, all the next ones direct.
Multilingual matters
If you target foreign tourists, an English (and more) site is a must.
Seasonal nature
Tourism is seasonal — work on visibility off-season so you are ready when bookings start.