GastgeberDirekt · Comparing solutions
Compared
Which booking website fits? Builder, channel manager or custom.
There are four common ways to your own booking site. All of them have their place – what matters is what the site needs to do for your properties.
15 minutes · free, no obligation · reply usually the same day
The four options at a glance
- Website builder with booking plugin
- Cheap and quick. Calendars often only synced via iCalA simple calendar exchange format that only syncs at intervals (often 15 minutes to hours) – double bookings happen in that gap. We use the channel manager's direct interface (API) instead. (risk of double bookings), template design, multilingual support and SEOSearch engine optimisation: everything that helps Google find a page and show it high up when someone searches e.g. “villa with pool Split”. That includes matching titles and descriptions, a machine-readable description of the property, a page index and fast loading. usually limited.
- Channel manager website
- Connected instantly and online in a few days. But templates like many others, little room for your own rules and features, sometimes extra fees per booking.
- Custom agency website
- Design as you wish. Booking logic (seasons, deposits, channel manager) has to be bought in or built at high cost, every change becomes a new project.
- GastgeberDirekt
- A finished booking flow with payment, guest area, AI inbox and CRM – designed for you, connected to your channel manager via APIA direct technical interface between two programs. Changes arrive immediately – not at the next sync., ready in 2–3 weeks.
What to look for
- Live availability instead of delayed syncing
- Final price including all fees from the first click
- Deposit, automatic balance paymentOnly a deposit is due at booking. The system charges the rest automatically at the agreed time before arrival – nobody has to chase payments. and security deposit as pre-authorisationThe deposit is only reserved on the guest's card, not charged. If everything is fine the hold expires; if there is damage, the amount can be captured.
- Your own rules: minimum stayThe shortest bookable stay, e.g. 7 nights in high season. Can differ by season, weekday or lead time., changeover dayThe fixed day guests arrive and leave (often Saturday). The site only allows matching stays – following the host's rules., seasons, lead times
- Every language with its own URLs (hreflangA note in the code saying which page is in which language, so Google shows Norwegian guests the Norwegian page and German guests the German one.) and prices in the guest's currency
- Loading speed: Google PageSpeedGoogle's free test of a website's loading speed and technical quality (0–100 points). Fast pages rank better and lose fewer visitors. Any website can be checked at pagespeed.web.dev. mobile ideally above 90
- Who owns the domain, payment account and guest data?
To be honest
For a single apartment with few bookings, the channel manager's website is often enough. With several units, international guests or special rules, standard solutions reach their limits – that's exactly what GastgeberDirekt is built for.
Frequently asked questions
What does a booking website cost?
Builders from a few euros a month, agencies often five figures. GastgeberDirekt sits in between – with setup and monthly operation, or success-based. You get a concrete offer within 24 hours after the website check.
Can I switch later?
Yes. Domain, Stripe and guest data are in your name; on request you take over the whole setup.
How can I compare loading speed?
With Google PageSpeed Insights (pagespeed.web.dev) – just enter the address. It works with any website.
Free website check
Which option fits your properties?
In the website check you get an honest recommendation – even if it isn't GastgeberDirekt.
What you take away from the website check – even if you never buy:
- Your personal savings calculation: what platform commission costs you today
- 3 concrete improvements for your current website and listings
- An honest assessment of whether your own booking site pays off for you
Because every setup is individual, we only take on a few new hosts per month.
replies personally, usually the same day
PS: If you've read this far, you probably know the feeling: every platform booking costs commission, the guests don't really “belong” to you – and somehow it should work better. That's exactly where I stood a few years ago. 15 minutes are enough for a first conversation. The solution is often closer than you think – and if your own booking site isn't right for you (yet), I'll tell you – honestly.
Julian