Your website needs to appear as secure as Booking.com. Travelers heavily rely on reviews and the “safe feeling” provided by third parties. International research based on TripAdvisor data shows that online reviews are a key, trusted source of information when booking accommodation.
Purchasing behavior has changed, and price sensitivity has increased. According to Expedia Group’s 2023 findings, price and value are key factors when making a booking. Furthermore, flexible cancellation policies improve conversion rates. Data from Booking.com’s Smart Flex, along with industry research, shows that customers prefer flexible or free cancellation options and even behave strategically to book risk-free.
Matkailualalla jopa kymmenesosan parannus latausajassa voi nostaa konversiota merkittävästi. Deloitte/Google-tutkimus raportoi matkailuvertikaalissa ~10,1 % konversioliftin, kun mobiilin sivunopeus paranee 0,1 sekuntia. Lisäksi Googlen tutkimus on toistuvasti osoittanut, että yli 3 sekuntia lataava sivu johtaa yli puolen mobiilikävijöistä poistumiseen.
OTA channels focus on demand generation, price comparison, a vast amount of reviews, and loyalty benefits. Research literature and industry reports support that perceived value + ease of use + trust explain purchases on OTA channels. At the same time, hotels’ digital distribution has grown to record levels (2019–2023 data), reinforcing the competitive pressure on your own channel. (Link to research on Science Direct)
Interruptions in the reservation process are exceptionally common in travel. Several industry reports have consistently measured high abandonment rates that correlate with a complex journey and poor mobile usability. Baymard has extensively documented UX issues in the travel/accommodation industry.
Imagine you’ve taken a massive risk as an entrepreneur, invested millions in infrastructure, and don’t own customer acquisition. While using Booking or Viator may seem like a good idea initially, it’s not a sustainable strategy in the long run:
Your customer acquisition is at the mercy of a third party – not even a second, like a digital marketing agency. This creates a two-sided threat for your business:
Customer acquisition in your own hands – you're not dependent on booking websites.
Continuous content creation – blogs and social media keep your business visible organically.
Language versions for key markets – serve customers in their own language.
Clear pricing and conditions – Standardize how you present pricing and display all costs upfront. Highlight flexible cancellation options clearly and consolidate all terms into a concise box, clearly differentiating non-refundable and flexible rates.
Fast and functional websites – Optimize Core Web Vitals (especially LCP) around hero images and the booking engine. Reduce fields on the booking form and make the reservation process a maximum of 3–4 steps long.
Trust-building reviews – Display reviews, certifications, secure payment (SSL, trusted PSP), and guarantees (price guarantee, “book risk-free” message).
OTA-level shopping experience – Real-time availability, comparable pricing, and add-on services for direct bookers.
Minimal drop-off – Simple path, clear additional costs, reminders for those who abandon the process.
We offer:
Search Engine Marketing – Ensure customers find your resort, not your competitors.
Conversion-Optimized Websites – Deliver a fast, clear, and trustworthy booking experience.
Transparent Pricing & Cancellation Policies – Reduce uncertainty and lower the barrier to booking directly.
Seasonal Advertising – Reach customers at the right moment. While major players like Booking invest billions in search engine advertising, the right strategy and targeting can achieve significant visibility and drive bookings directly to your website.
Customer journey analytics – you'll clearly see what's driving bookings and what's hindering them, allowing you to develop your marketing based on facts, not guesswork
No. Our pricing depends on the scope of the project, but typically the investment is less than the commissions you pay to Booking in just a few months.
Often, you'll see the first increase in direct bookings within 2–3 months, with full impact within 6–12 months.
Yes. Our solutions are scalable – we've run campaigns for both small boutique resorts and large chains.
We help build trust elements (SSL, reviews, cancellation information, secure payment) that lower the barrier to entry.
Not always. Often, optimizing your existing site is enough, but we can build a new one if needed.
We don’t offer a partnership if we aren’t fully confident in our ability to succeed. That's why it pays to get in touch and give it a try.
