When potential guests search for a vacation rental, they often start on large Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Airbnb or Vrbo. But many don’t book right away. Instead, they do additional research—often landing on the property’s direct booking site before making a reservation. This phenomenon is known as the billboard effect, and savvy hosts can use it to increase direct bookings and reduce reliance on OTAs. What Is the Billboard Effect? The billboard effect refers to how OTAs act as advertising platforms for your rental. Guests discover your listing on a major OTA, but instead of booking immediately, they search for your property elsewhere—often leading them to your direct booking site. Studies show that travelers who find a property on an OTA frequently visit the host’s own website before making a final decision. If your direct booking site is optimized and trustworthy, you can capture these bookings and avoid OTA commissions. Why Is the Billboard Effect Important? How to Take Advantage of the Billboard Effect If potential guests are already searching for you outside of OTAs, you need to make sure they can find your site and feel confident booking directly. 1. Have a Professional Direct Booking Website A polished website with high-quality photos, clear pricing, and a seamless booking process makes a strong first impression. Platforms like CraftedStays help you create a mobile-optimized site that builds trust and encourages bookings. 2. Match Your Branding Across Platforms Ensure your OTA listings have the same name, description, and high-quality images as your direct site. This consistency makes it easier for guests to recognize your brand when they search for you elsewhere. 3. Optimize for Search Engines (SEO) Guests often Google your property’s name after seeing it on an OTA. Make sure your direct booking site ranks high by optimizing for relevant keywords like vacation rental direct booking and short-term rental near [your location]. Adding a blog with local travel tips also helps attract organic traffic. 4. Leverage Guest Reviews If a guest finds you on an OTA but sees few or no reviews on your direct booking site, they may hesitate to book. Ask past guests to leave reviews on your website and integrate testimonials from Google or social media. 5. Offer Exclusive Perks for Direct Bookings Encourage guests to book directly by offering incentives like: 6. Use Retargeting Ads If a potential guest visits your direct site but doesn’t book, retargeting ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google can remind them to come back and complete their reservation. Final Thoughts The billboard effect is a powerful tool for short-term rental hosts. Instead of seeing OTAs as the only way to get bookings, use them as a marketing channel to drive traffic to your direct booking site. With the right strategy, you can increase your revenue, build stronger guest relationships, and take control of your bookings. Want to ensure your direct booking site is optimized for maximum conversions? CraftedStays helps hosts build beautiful, high-converting websites designed to capture direct bookings. Book a demo today to see how we can help!

Book Direct Day, celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of February, is a global movement aimed at encouraging travelers to book directly with property managers, owners, and hosts. The goal is to highlight the many benefits of bypassing third-party booking platforms, not just for guests, but for property managers as well. When guests choose to book directly, they save money, gain access to exclusive perks, and enjoy a more customized experience. For property managers, this means keeping a larger share of their revenue rather than paying hefty fees to online travel agencies (OTAs). Book Direct Day is the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your properties, engage with your audience, and boost direct bookings—empowering you to take control of your business without relying on third-party platforms. Feel free to send us an email at hello@craftedstays.co if you need help along your journey of direct bookings. Why would you want to go Direct? How to make the most out of Direct Booking Day? If you’re interested in more tips on how to drive more bookings by targeting past guests and other tactics, download our free ebook. HAPPY BOOK DIRECT DAY! 💜 Start crafting personalized sequences and impactful broadcasts today to enhance guest experiences and boost your vacation home rental property’s success. Send customers directly to your own direct booking site rather than the OTA when crafting these emails. 

Why Updating the Copyright Year on Your Website Matters Your website is often the first impression guests or clients have of your business. Every detail counts—especially the ones that might seem minor, like the copyright year in the footer. What the Copyright Year Represents The copyright year is more than a formality. It tells visitors when your site was last updated and signals whether your business is active and professional. A current year in your footer reinforces: What Happens When It’s Outdated An outdated copyright year can have unintended consequences. It might make your site feel abandoned, even if that’s far from the truth. Visitors could question whether your business is still operational or if your services are outdated. There’s also an SEO component. While the copyright date itself may not directly impact rankings, a perception of neglect can reduce user engagement—something search engines measure closely. What a Copyright Statement Represents Best Practices for Displaying Copyright Common Misunderstandings CraftedStays: Leading by Example At CraftedStays, we believe your website should reflect the vibrancy of your business. That’s why we ensure the copyright year is always current as part of our continuous site improvements. While some competitors may only update their copyright year when their website was first built, we take a more proactive approach. Constant updates ensure our users’ sites stay relevant and professional. Take Action If your website’s copyright year is outdated, it’s time to make a change. A small detail like this can make a big difference in how guests perceive your business. Want to ensure your website reflects the professionalism your brand deserves? Book a demo with CraftedStays today.

If you’ve already mastered collecting emails from your short-term rental or vacation rental website, you’re off to a great start. But simply building a list isn’t enough—you need to know what to do with it. That’s where segmentation comes in. Segmentation involves dividing your email list into smaller groups based on specific criteria. This allows you to deliver targeted, relevant content that resonates with your audience, resulting in higher open rates, click-through rates, and ultimately, more bookings for your short-term or vacation rental. Let’s explore some effective ways to segment your list and why it matters. Why Segmenting Your List is Effective Sending the same message to everyone on your list can lead to disengagement. Not all guests are in the same stage of the booking journey or interested in the same kind of stay. Segmentation helps you: Can You Segment with Your Email Tool? Absolutely! Whether you’re using a simple tool like Mailchimp or a robust platform like HubSpot, segmentation is within your reach. Basic tools allow for simple segmenting based on tags or behaviors, while advanced platforms offer dynamic lists and automation to scale your efforts. Start small and grow as your short-term rental guest list grows. Ways to Segment Your Email List 1. Booking Stage Why It Works: Prospective guests and past guests have different needs. 2. Travel Purpose Why It Works: A family vacationer and a business traveler have very different priorities. 3. Geographic Location Why It Works: Local guests may prefer weekend getaways, while international travelers need more lead time to plan. 4. Booking History Why It Works: Tailoring emails to past behavior can increase repeat bookings for your vacation rental. 5. Engagement Level Why It Works: Keeps your list clean and ensures you’re reaching an active audience. 6. Seasonal Interests Why It Works: Seasonal marketing aligns with when guests are likely to travel. 7. Lead Source Why It Works: Knowing where your guests came from can help you tailor content. How to Segment with Ease Tools like Mailchimp let you create tags or groups to manually segment your list. Platforms like HubSpot take it further with dynamic lists, advanced filters, and automation workflows. No matter which tool you use, the key is organizing your contacts with the data you already have to drive more bookings for your short-term rental or vacation rental. Final Thoughts Segmenting your email list is one of the best ways to turn a passive list of contacts into a highly engaged audience of potential and repeat guests. Whether you’re targeting families, re-engaging past guests, or marketing to travelers planning a seasonal trip, segmentation ensures you’re sending the right message to the right person at the right time. CraftedStays Pro Tip: Our platform allows you to collect and organize guest data seamlessly, so creating segmented lists becomes a breeze. Ready to learn more? Book a demo to see how it works.

Direct booking sites are the cornerstone of a successful short-term vacation rental business. They allow hosts to connect with guests directly, bypass platform fees, and create a personalized booking experience. But not all direct booking sites are created equal, and one of the most significant differentiators is your website’s domain name. Choosing a custom domain over a hosting provider’s or PMS-generated subdomain can make all the difference in building trust, increasing bookings, and securing long-term success. What Is a Custom Domain? A custom domain is a unique, personalized web address like YourPropertyName.com or SmokyMountainCabins.com. It reflects your brand and is completely owned by you. Custom domains are registered through domain registrars like GoDaddy, Google Domains, or Namecheap and can be connected to any website platform. What Is a Subdomain? A subdomain, on the other hand, is a secondary domain that is part of a larger main domain. For example, YourPropertyName.pms.com is a subdomain provided by a Property Management System (PMS) or hosting provider. While subdomains can be a convenient starting point, they come with significant limitations, as we’ll explore below. 1. Building Trust and Professionalism Imagine you’re booking a stay at a cozy mountain cabin. Which URL would you feel more confident booking through: A custom domain like the first example instantly conveys professionalism and legitimacy. Guests are less likely to second-guess the site’s authenticity, making them more likely to complete a booking. Subdomains provided by PMS platforms or hosting services can seem generic and unpolished, potentially causing hesitation in potential guests. 2. Enhanced Branding Opportunities Your domain name is more than just an address—it’s a vital part of your brand identity. A custom domain lets you create a cohesive and memorable brand experience that extends beyond your website. For instance, having a domain like SmokyMountainCabins.com reinforces your branding across platforms like social media, email marketing, and even print materials. In contrast, a PMS subdomain dilutes your brand, as the hosting provider’s name is front and center. With a custom domain, you’re always in control of how your brand is presented. 3. Better SEO Performance Search engines like Google rank websites with custom domains higher than those using subdomains. Why? Custom domains are seen as more authoritative and relevant to search queries. Additionally, having the flexibility to choose a domain name allows you to incorporate keywords directly into your URL. For example, BeachfrontVillas.com signals to search engines (and potential guests) exactly what your site offers, helping you stand out in search results. Using a custom domain in addition to these other Direct Booking SEO optimizations can greatly boost your site’s ranking performance. 4. Control and Flexibility A subdomain provided by your PMS or hosting provider may seem convenient, but it comes with limitations. For instance, you might be restricted in customizing your site’s URL structure or features. Worse, if you ever decide to switch providers, migrating from a subdomain can be a headache. With a custom domain, you’re in full control. You can optimize your URL structure, implement redirects, and make changes as your business grows—all without being tethered to a third-party provider’s restrictions. 5. Increased Guest Confidence Guests care about security when booking online. A custom domain paired with an HTTPS certification tells guests your site is secure, helping them feel confident about sharing personal and payment information. On the other hand, subdomains often appear less professional, and guests might question whether their booking details are truly safe. The peace of mind that a custom domain provides can significantly impact your conversion rates. Success Stories One host who transitioned from MyVacationRental.pms.com to a custom domain like, LakesideCottages.com, saw a 25% increase in direct bookings within the first three months. Guests cited the improved professionalism and trustworthiness of the new domain as a key factor in their decision to book. How CraftedStays Can Help At CraftedStays, we understand that setting up a custom domain can feel like a technical hurdle. That’s why we provide all users with a temporary subdomain to use while they’re crafting their site, giving them time to finalize their custom domain. When you’re ready to make the switch, our team is here to help. We don’t charge for custom domains, and we’re happy to walk you through the process step by step, ensuring everything is set up correctly. We believe that a custom domain is a game-changer for direct booking sites, and we’re committed to making it as easy as possible for you to get started. Conclusion Investing in a custom domain name is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your direct booking site. It builds trust, strengthens your brand, improves SEO, and ensures you’re in control of your business’s future. If you’re ready to take your direct booking site to the next level, let CraftedStays help you get started. Contact us today to learn how easy it is to connect your custom domain and create a site that guests can’t resist booking.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is more than just a buzzword—it’s a vital tool for helping your website climb to the top of search results and attract the right audience. Whether you’re an experienced host or new to the industry, understanding and implementing SEO can significantly impact your direct bookings. Here’s a breakdown of the essentials to get you started (or help you refine your strategy). What is SEO? SEO is all about making your website more visible to search engines like Google so potential guests can find you when they’re looking for a property like yours. It involves optimizing different aspects of your website—such as content, speed, and structure—so search engines see it as relevant and useful. The goal is to connect with guests at the right time, offering them the information they need to book with confidence. 1. Start with the Right Keywords Keywords are the foundation of SEO. These are the words and phrases your guests type into search engines when looking for accommodations. Here’s how to make them work for you: 2. Optimize Your Website for Speed and Mobile A fast, mobile-friendly website isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. Here’s why: 3. Create Valuable Content Content isn’t just for filling space—it’s your chance to answer questions and show off what makes your property special. Here’s how: 4. Leverage Backlinks Backlinks—links to your site from other reputable websites—are like votes of confidence for search engines. Here’s how to get them: 5. Keep It Fresh SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it strategy. Search engines prioritize updated and relevant content. Here’s how to stay on top: Take Action Today SEO may seem overwhelming, but starting with small steps can lead to big results. Whether it’s tweaking your keywords, speeding up your site, or building valuable links, every improvement brings you closer to attracting your ideal guest. Remember, SEO is a journey, not a sprint. Each update you make lays a stronger foundation for long-term success. If you’re looking for a platform designed to help you implement these SEO best practices with ease, check out CraftedStays. From optimized templates to tools tailored for direct bookings, CraftedStays is here to help hosts succeed. Bonus Tip ⤵️ Unlocking the Power of SEO for Your Short-Term Rental Website: Why URL Structure Matters SEO Strategies Every Host Needs to Know: Niching down your SEO Strategy with Craig Webb

The holiday season is here, and with it comes an incredible opportunity to fill your calendar with bookings. Guests are planning last-minute getaways, family reunions, and even their 2025 trips, making now the perfect time to maximize the potential of your direct booking website. Below, we share three key strategies to help you attract more guests and boost your holiday occupancy. 1. Make Your Holiday Deals Shine Guests are on the lookout for great deals this season, and your direct booking website is the perfect place to showcase them. Additional Tip: Add a sense of urgency by including countdown timers or phrases like “Only a few spots left!” This approach can increase your direct booking conversions. 2. Promote Your Availability Everywhere The holidays are a busy time, and travelers often book last-minute. Make it as easy as possible for potential guests to find your vacation rental and secure their stay. Remember, your direct booking website should act as the hub for all your marketing efforts. Direct all traffic back to your site to avoid third-party fees and offer guests a smoother experience. 3. Capture Guest Emails for Future Marketing The holiday season isn’t just about this year’s bookings—it’s also about setting the stage for the future. Building an email list is essential for growing your vacation rental direct booking business. This ensures you have a reliable way to reach guests directly without relying on third-party platforms. ✨ Bonus Tip: Ready to streamline guest communication? Check out our guide on Mastering Email Communication forYour Vacation Rental Business for email templates and strategies that convert. Make the Most of Your Direct Booking Website This holiday season is an opportunity to connect with guests, drive bookings, and showcase the value of booking direct. Whether you’re offering exclusive deals, promoting last-minute availability, or building your email list for future campaigns, these strategies will set your property apart. If your website isn’t ready to support these efforts, consider CraftedStays 💜 – designed to help hosts optimize their direct booking websites with features like seamless navigation, mobile-friendly designs, and integrated marketing tools. Book a demo to learn more about how CraftedStays can help you succeed this holiday season—and beyond.

AI technology is transforming the short-term rental industry, providing hosts and property managers with tools to improve operations, enhance guest experiences, and grow direct bookings. One of the most powerful ways to leverage AI is by mastering prompt writing—a skill that ensures your AI tools deliver the best results. In this guide, we’ll explore strategies for writing better AI prompts, practical AI applications for short-term rental hosts, and future trends that will shape the industry. Writing Better AI Prompts Effective AI prompt writing is a foundational skill for any host or property manager. It ensures that your AI tools generate clear, actionable outputs that save time and boost efficiency. Here’s a simple framework to guide you: The CLEAR Framework Mastering these techniques will help short-term rental hosts and property managers create AI-powered guest communication, property descriptions, and marketing content that align with their business goals. AI Applications for Short-Term Rental Hosts AI has already revolutionized many aspects of short-term rental management. Here are some of the most effective ways to use AI in your business: Future Trends in AI for Short-Term Rentals As AI continues to evolve, it is unlocking new opportunities for short-term rental hosts and property managers: Tying It All Together AI is a valuable tool for short-term rental professionals, offering innovative ways to improve efficiency and enhance guest satisfaction. Many hosts are already leveraging AI to streamline their workflows, from creating personalized guest messages to integrating chatbots on direct booking websites. At CraftedStays, we see our customers using these AI tools alongside our platform to build better direct booking sites that drive engagement and revenue. Whether it’s optimizing property descriptions or enabling seamless guest communication, AI enhances the capabilities of a well-designed website. Start Your AI Journey If you’re ready to see how a direct booking site can complement your AI strategy, book a demo with CraftedStays today. We’ll show you how our platform supports your business goals and helps you stay ahead in this evolving industry.

Black Friday presents an excellent opportunity for short-term rental hosts to capitalize on the holiday shopping season and drive more direct bookings. With travelers increasingly seeking personalized experiences and avoiding third-party fees, direct booking websites are uniquely positioned to attract and convert guests. Below, we outline three actionable strategies to make the most of this key moment. 1. Capture Guest Emails During Thanksgiving Stays Thanksgiving is a prime opportunity to connect with your current guests and encourage future bookings. Guests who stay at your property during this time are perfect candidates for remarketing campaigns, especially when they book through your direct booking website. Consider embedding a QR code in your rental property linking to an email opt-in form on your website. Incentives such as exclusive discounts, early access to holiday offers, or free upgrades can encourage guests to join your mailing list. These emails are invaluable for campaigns promoting vacation rentals with no booking fees and personalized stays. Moreover, families often gather during Thanksgiving and begin planning their next holiday trip, making this the ideal time to capture their contact information. By doing so, you’ll have a direct line of communication to remind them about your property when they’re ready to book their next vacation rental direct booking. 2. Promote Last-Minute Availability for Christmas and New Year’s The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is critical for securing last-minute bookings. Use your direct booking website to highlight remaining availability for holiday stays and emphasize the benefits of booking directly, such as lower prices and no extra fees. Email campaigns targeting your existing subscribers should include phrases like “Book direct to save!” or “Limited holiday availability—act now!” Use countdowns or urgency-driven messaging to prompt action. Social media is another effective channel to direct traffic to your website. Share enticing images of your property’s holiday setup or highlight perks such as “no booking fee vacation rentals” to capture attention and drive conversions. 3. Offer a Black Friday Promotion for Future Stays Leverage Black Friday to secure bookings for the upcoming year. Guests are actively looking for holiday deals, and a well-placed promotion on your direct booking website can set your property apart. Offer incentives such as 10–15% off stays booked during Black Friday weekend, or add perks like complimentary early check-in for those who book direct. Focus on promoting slower periods like shoulder seasons while maintaining full control over pricing and availability through your direct booking website builder. Flexible cancellation policies and secure payment options will reassure guests and further encourage them to book directly. Why Black Friday is Key for Direct Booking Success Black Friday isn’t just about discounts—it’s about strengthening guest relationships and showcasing the unique value of booking direct. By capturing emails, promoting last-minute availability, and offering exclusive deals, you’ll position your property for success throughout the holiday season and beyond. If your current setup doesn’t fully support these strategies, consider CraftedStays. Our platform helps short-term rental hosts build optimized direct booking websites with tools like email capture forms, custom promotions, and seamless user experiences. With the right strategy and technology, you can maximize conversions and grow your direct booking business. Are you looking for tools to optimize your direct booking website? Book a free demo with CraftedStays to see how we can help.