5 Best Website Builders for Holiday Rentals vs. Airbnb (No Coding Needed!)

The best website builders for holiday rentals are:

1. Snapps.ai
2. Wix
3. Squarespace
4. Lodgify
5. Guesty

While Airbnb is great for exposure, it has limitations. That’s why website builders exist. Website builders have become highly effective in catering to holiday rental owners. They now offer tools. They make it easy to create great, functional websites. You don’t need any tech skills. This gives you more control over your rental business.

Let’s dive into the benefits of having your own website. You can connect directly with guests, gather useful info, and encourage them to book again. You can skip commission fees with your own booking site. This could mean more money in your pocket and better prices for your guests. Plus, many of these platforms have built-in booking and management tools. They will make your life easier. Unlike Airbnb, where you’re bound by their rules, your own site is free.

We’ll look at the top website builders for holiday rentals. We’ll compare what they offer from what Airbnb offers, how easy they are to use, and how much they cost. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which platform might work best for your unique needs.

1. Snapps.ai

Snapps.ai builds a strong online presence for holiday business rentals. This AI-powered tool boosts direct bookings for 82% of users.

Snapps.ai comes packed with features that’ll make your life easier:

• Easy-to-use booking calendar
• Safe payment system
• Works with popular booking sites
• Looks great on phones and computers
• You show up in Google searches
• Supports many languages
• Awesome photo galleries and virtual tours

But that’s some features from Snapps.ai. Here are some extra perks:

• AI writes your property descriptions
• Smart pricing to maximize your earnings
• Automates guest messages
• Built-in review system

So, why are property managers falling head over heels for Snapps.ai?

• You’re the boss of your business
• Saves money in the long run
• Create your own unique brand
• Get all the juicy details about your guests
• Plays nice with other software you use

Daniel says it makes his job way easier and the support team rocks. Blair, who’s not a tech whiz, finds it super easy to use and loves the templates.

Now, you might need a bit of time to get the hang of the platform, but it’s worth it. If you’re running a holiday rental and want to make it online, Snapps.ai is your new best friend.

2. Wix

Wix’s tools and features are perfect for the hospitality business. Holiday rental owners find them easy to use, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Wix offers:

• Booking calendars you can tweak
• Safe ways to process payments
• Tools to manage property listings
• Support for many languages

Wix also has some unique features:

• AI assistance for design
• Templates that look good on phones
• Connects with other booking websites
• Tools to boost your search rankings

These features seem to pay off. Wix-made vacation rental sites got 37% more search engine traffic than others. Here’s how Wix compares to Airbnb:

Given these differences, property managers prefer Wix because they can:

• Make their brand stand out
• Talk directly to guests
• Offer special deals
• Use it with their management software

Wix gives you good value for your money. With it, property owners create pro-quality websites and compete with big booking sites. They can control their brand and guest relationships.

But, experiences vary. A Reddit user loved Wix’s website builders. But, even as a long-time customer, they had trouble getting a refund for an accidental purchase. This led them to switch to another company.

3. Squarespace

Squarespace also helps holiday rental businesses build professional websites. It’s easy to use and has lots of good-looking templates to show off properties.

With these features, Squarespace has got you covered:

• Booking calendars you can adjust
• Great spots for your best photos
• Websites that work well on phones
• A blog to share updates
• Tools to find you online

Property managers find Squarespace appealing for these reasons:

• Control their brand
• Keep all the booking money
• Use other tools with it
• Ability to sell more services
• Direct communication with guests

Given these benefits, Squarespace helps you stand out. You can make a website that looks as good as the big booking sites. Squarespace says that rental owners using their platform got 31% more engagement on their websites. Visitors stayed longer and viewed more pages.

Many people find Squarespace helpful for making nice websites with little hassle. They recently added a Duplicate feature that lets you copy entire websites. However, it’s great for businesses with many properties. It makes it easier for property managers to keep their websites professional and consistent.

But, it’s important to consider both sides. Squarespace isn’t perfect for everyone. While it’s user-friendly, some people say it can get tricky if you want to make big changes. Also, they don’t offer phone support, which might be a problem if you prefer talking to someone when you need help.

4. Lodgify

Lodgify is a great website builder made for holiday rental businesses. Property owners, even non-coders, now create professional websites. This makes it easier to manage vacation rentals online. Impressively, 62% of Lodgify users got more direct bookings within six months of using their new website.

Here are some of Lodgify’s standout features:

• Booking calendars you can customize
• Built-in payment processing
• Support for many languages
• Designs that work well on mobile

Let’s compare Lodgify with Airbnb:

Given these differences, it’s clear why property managers like Lodgify:

• They make more money from direct bookings
• They can manage all their properties in one place
• They can create their own rental agreements and policies
• They get detailed reports to track how they’re doing

Given these benefits, Lodgify is a smart choice for holiday rentals. It can help them build a strong online presence and reduce reliance on other booking sites. The advantages can outweigh the initial investment.

A Reddit user was unhappy after a year. They criticized the platform’s helpfulness and inbox. They warned that switching to another platform might be difficult once committed.

5. Guesty

Guesty’s website builder lets property managers make their own branded websites to show off their rentals in style. Here’s what you get:

• A booking system you can tweak
• Support for many languages
• Websites that look good on phones
• Links up with property management systems
• Lets guests book straight from your site

Now, let’s compare Guesty with Airbnb:

So why do property managers choose Guesty? Here are the main reasons:

• They can build their own brand
• No fees for direct bookings
• They get to keep guest info
• More freedom with prices and rules
• Can offer extras for guests

These features add up to significant benefits. Guesty’s tool get more direct bookings without breaking the bank. It lets you rely less on big booking sites and make more money. Guesty says their users saw about 31% more cash from direct bookings compared to other sites.

But, some people have issues with usability and customer support. Some people have had issues with how well it works and getting help when they need it. A Reddit user said it was “terrible” and felt “hacked together”. They found it unreliable and had to ask for solutions a lot before switching to something else.

Another user had similar problems. They ended up with double bookings even though they set everything up right. Getting help was a hassle, and it “took ages to figure out” the software problems. In the end, they quit using Guesty after trying many times to fix things.

How to Enhance Online Booking Capabilities for Holiday Rentals?

• Direct Bookings: Install a user-friendly booking system on your website to reduce reliance on third-party platforms and boost profits.
• OTA Integration: Connect with popular platforms to expand reach and sync availability.
• Vacation Rental Software: Streamline operations with systems that handle reservations and manage finances.
• Calendar Sync: Implement tools that automatically update availability across all channels to prevent double bookings.
• Features: Look for customizable, mobile-friendly, and secure systems to improve the guest experience.
• Pricing: Set rates strategically based on demand, seasonality, and local events.
• Support: Partner with platforms offering reliable technical assistance for quick issue resolution.
• Dashboard: Monitor your business through clear insights into bookings, revenue, and occupancy rates.

Ways to Maximize Visibility and Sales for Holiday Rentals

• Property Listing Optimization: Capture attention with high-quality photos and detailed descriptions of amenities and local attractions.
• Vacation Rental Marketing: Showcase your properties and unique experiences through social media and email campaigns.
• SEO Strategies: Incorporate location-specific keywords to attract targeted travelers.
• Web Traffic: Generate leads through paid advertising and strategic retargeting campaigns.
• Sales Opportunities: Boost bookings with promotions, last-minute deals, and packages that bundle accommodations with local experiences.
• Marketing and Advertising: Build credibility through local business partnerships, tourism board connections, and guest-generated content.
• Marketers’ Toolkit: Monitor campaign performance and optimize landing pages through A/B testing.
• Channel Management: Expand reach by maintaining synchronized rates across multiple booking platforms.
• Mobile Optimization: Create seamless booking experiences for travelers using smartphones and tablets.

Incorporate Blog Sections to Your Holiday Rental Websites

A blog on your holiday rental website can boost your online presence and attract guests. Here are steps to incorporate a blog:

• Choose a Platform: Use a website builder for blogs that integrate with your existing site.
• Plan Your Content: Create a strategy. Focus on local attractions, events, and property features to entice potential guests.
• Optimize for SEO: Include relevant keywords and local terms in your posts. This will boost your search visibility.
• Include Visuals: Add high-quality images and videos of your property and its surroundings. They will make posts more engaging.
• Encourage Interaction: Enable comments and social sharing to foster engagement with readers.
• Keep Content Fresh: Post on a schedule to encourage return visits.
• Promote Your Blog: Share your posts on social media and in newsletters. This will increase visibility and drive traffic to your website.