Best in test: Online booking-system and booking software
In this section, we’ll explain what service providers should look for in an online booking-system or booking software, so customers can easily make online reservations on websites, social media platforms and booking portals.
Ten to fifteen years ago, customers had to show up at a travel agency or make a phone call in order to book flights and hotel stays. Nowadays, most travel arrangements are made online and service providers in all industries have recognised the advantages of hassle-free online reservations. After all, the ability to book services online doesn’t only benefit businesses, but also customers. The need for a reliable online booking software is therefore steadily increasing. An online booking-system allows customers to schedule their next appointment at the barber’s, make a reservation at their favourite restaurant, or book a canoe ride – and all that, comfortably from their personal computer or smartphone.
Meanwhile, each industry has its own requirements when it comes to the right booking software. Example: Businesses that provide mountain bike tours offer tickets for fixed dates only. Therefore, a calendar containing the available dates within a fixed schedule is an essential feature within their specific booking tool. However, landlords offering vacation homes only need a calendar that indicates the time period in which the offered home is available. The majority of booking software providers are specialised in booking solutions that are tailored to each industry. Other online booking-systems are multi-functional and cater to several sectors. Such offers range from simple WordPress plugins to more complex booking systems that include management modules for dates or participants. Regardless of their industry-specific requirements, service providers should always pay attention to some crucial features before settling on a booking-system.
Benefits of online booking through a customised booking software
Efficiency: you have more time & happier customers!
With 30% of all your customers booking online, your day-to-day becomes less hectic
40% of your clients prefer booking outside of your business hours
5 times less cancellations significantly improve your occupancy rate
Planning reliability thanks to online payments – you don’t have to deal with „No-Shows”
Users benefit from the live availability display
Increased reach by linking to partner portals
The ideal booking system for the rental sector
Software-as-a-Service booking solution or booking software installed on your computer?
Nowadays, recreational activity providers don’t spend their time working at a stationary computer, but have to manage their business on the go via smartphones and tablets. With a Cloud-based booking-system, you can access your online booking software from anywhere in the world, while taking advantage of automatic updates. This web-based booking software is also known as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), meaning that the software and IT infrastructure are offered and maintained by an external provider. Thus, an online booking solution is a time-saving and cost-effective alternative, especially for small businesses that don’t have the capacity to employ a custom-programmed booking tool. And more often than not, Software-as-a-Service solutions are offered free of charge. The website administrator or owner pays a small commission fee for each online reservation that is made through the booking tool. This means you don’t have any fixed costs and only pay whenever your clients are paying you.
Custom-programmed booking tool or versatile online booking-system?
The all-in-one solution booking-systems have several benefits:
1. They help you manage all your online bookings and reservations thanks to practical booking software features. For example: Booking confirmations, cancellations and bills are sent automatically.
2. Professional booking software accepts online payments by working with renowned partners like PayPal, Visa Card, Mastercard or EC direct debit. Normally, payment service providers charge for each online payment – these costs are already covered by the SaaS charge-per-booking fee.
3. Professional booking solutions have stood the test of time and are constantly improved through customer feedback. This ensures the intuitive use of the booking tool’s user interface. In contrast, programming your own online booking-system with PHP and MySQL costs a lot of time and effort.
4. Sooner or later, users require customer support when running into problems with a software. Booking software that was custom-programmed by an individual usually doesn’t come with the same kind of support that a professional booking-systems provider can offer. Direct phone support and online help desks provide instant trouble shooting and make sure that you receive the help that you need.
Tip: When you test a booking software, always check out the support features!
5. Professional booking tools make sure that your offers show up on booking portals like TripAdvisor, Viator or Eventim Guide. This allows you to reach a broad range of new customers with no effort at all. Tip: Make sure that the provider of your booking-system is independent and not exclusively connected to a specific booking portal.
Online booking software for different CMS systems
CMS (Content Management Systems) offer a relatively simple way to build and maintain a website. The most popular providers are WordPress, Jimdo, Joomla and Typo3 (Open Source CMS [Content Management Systems]). Each CMS can be adjusted through numerous plugins (which are extensions to the basic version of your CMS). Specific plugins allow you to embed an online booking form into your website. Professional SaaS booking software providers also develop plugins that you can easily integrate. Bookingkit, for example, offers a plugin for WordPress. Thus, you can incorporate both the booking tool and the online booking calendar directly through the WordPress back-end and then manage your dates in WordPress through our booking software. Get the plugin here.