Is Your Direct Booking Website Useless?

Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals

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2M ago 53:25

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In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – sponsored by Hostfully – we sit down with Louis Andrews, Director and President of OVO Network, a leading direct booking brand with a portfolio of high-performing chalets in the French Alps. Louis doesn’t hold back on what most short-term rental operators are getting wrong when it comes to their direct booking websites. From poor UX to wasted marketing efforts, he shares what it really takes to turn browsers into bookers.

Whether you're DIY-ing your site, relying on your PMS, or considering outsourcing, this conversation is packed with actionable advice. Louis also offers a blueprint for building trust, driving conversions, and developing a website that actually supports your business goals. If you’ve ever questioned whether your direct booking site is worth the effort, this is one episode you can’t afford to miss.

Key takeaways:

1. Don’t just build it – optimise it. Most direct booking websites fail because they’re not built with the guest in mind. A flashy homepage means nothing if it doesn’t convert visitors into bookings.

2. Pick the right tool for the job. There’s no one-size-fits-all: DIY, PMS-powered sites, or fully custom builds each have pros and cons. Know your resources, your target audience, and your conversion goals.

3. Marketing is non-negotiable. If you’re not prioritising marketing, your direct booking site is just an expensive business card. Invest in a funnel that drives traffic, builds trust, and delivers results.

1:03 Why are most direct booking websites useless?7:33 Where do you start when building a direct booking website?16:42 DIY, PMS, or trust an expert?20:20 How to turn lookers into bookers 24:00 How to emulate OVO Network 32:10 Can having a direct booking website be a waste of time?36:31 Message to property managers who don’t prioritise marketing39:19 Airbnb doubling down on experiences and services43:25 Favourite brand: Airbnb47:56 Individual shout-out: Humphrey Bowles49:51 No. 1 lesson learned50:51 Potato

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Keen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://cal.mixmax.com/frankbosi/demo?re=IiY1x2YuQXZuFGbwR3cvhGQzVWbhpmI&rn=ISelxmchZFIzVWbhpkI&messageId=UjWJnyJQ1a9zxhP2C

Email Frank: [email protected]

Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Louis Andrews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-jacques-andrews/

OVO Network: https://www.ovonetwork.com/en/home

Episode to check next: The Smart Way To Price Your Vacation Rental: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsHYwAUreLs

Host Planet Podcast is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Contact the show: [email protected]

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