Direct unit links let you send guests straight to the booking page for a specific unit. They're useful for filling vacant units, building tailored offers for prospective guests, and promoting specific units in newsletters or on social media.
Getting your direct booking links
From your Hotelia Dashboard, click Unit Management in the sidebar menu on the left of the dashboard.
Find the unit you want to promote and click the Copy Link button.
Paste the link anywhere you'd like: send it directly to a guest via email or text, add it to a button in a newsletter, or drop it into an Instagram story to promote that specific unit.
How to Preview your direct booking links:
Paste the link directly into your browser to see what your guest will see when you send the link to them.
Go to Hotelia's settings > widget. Scroll down to Direct Unit Link Preview to see how the direct link will appear. You are also able to copy the direct link directly from this page.
Why Direct Links Convert Better
When a potential guest follows the link, they're taken straight to the booking page for that unit, no need to navigate through your website to find it. Removing that extra step reduces friction and can increase booking conversion by up to 25%.
Use Instagram stories for time sensitive vacancies Stories are a fast way to fill a last minute cancellation or push an off season unit. Add the link as a swipe up or story link sticker so guests can book without leaving the app.
Pair the link with urgency Posts that mention limited availability ("2 nights left in October" or "this week only") tend to perform better than a plain link drop.
Use for off season or shoulder season pushes Direct links work well for reviving interest in units that don't get much organic traffic during slower months.
Use them for last minute vacancies If a unit opens up from a cancellation, a direct link is the fastest way to fill it. Send it out the same day rather than waiting for it to resurface in general search.
Add links to email signatures for repeat guests If you know a guest's preferences, a direct link to their favorite unit in your signature or a quick follow up email keeps repeat bookings low effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the direct link show real time availability?
Yes, the link directs guests to the booking page for that specific unit and shows in real time when that unit is available
Do direct booking links expire?
No, the link does not change or expire. It can be reused as many times as needed.
Can I customize the link with a discount or promo rate?
While the link will display the same rate as your website listing, Hotelia supports promo codes you can customize and send with the direct link to your guest.
Does the direct link bypass my cancellation policy or booking rules?
No, bookings made through a direct link follow the existing policies of your property and are displayed on the booking page. The customer also accepts the T&C of every booking.
Can I track how many times a direct link has been clicked or booked?
You will need to install Google Tag Manager on your website. Google Tag Manager integrates with Hotelia and can track your booking conversion. All data can be viewed in Google Analytics. Read more about it here.