Book Now Buttons
Tourism websites have a range of options when it comes to managing bookings. Each option has its own costs and benefits.
To help you understand how the various options look in live websites, we’ve provided some links to websites powered by OM4 where we have implemented online bookings (or a ‘Book Now’ facility) using different approaches. Some systems integrate with the Tourism Exchange, which means your available inventory can be sold on 3rd party websites associated with the TXA programme – further details available below.
V3/FrontDesk
V3 (the back end system) and FrontDesk (the PC based system you use at your front desk) provide a Book Now button for real time bookings with managed inventory and TXA integration (accommodation and tours). Look and feel can be customised to some degree. V3 charge ongoing fees/commissions but no setup fee.
Undara (Far North Qld): Undara Lava Tubes
Top End Explorer Tours (Kakadu): Kakadu Tours
Levart
Levart provides a booking calendar with real time online bookings with managed inventory (accommodation only). There is no TXA integration. The Levart system can be customised to match closely with website branding. Levart charge setup costs and ongoing fees/commissions.
Seashells Hospitality Group (WA): Seashells Hospitality Group
Kalbarri Edge (Kalbarri): Kalbarri Edge Hotel
Cape Lodage (Margaret River): Cape Lodge Margaret River
Knotts Crossing (Katherine): Knotts Crossing
ResOnline
ResOnline provides an embeddable calendar or a Book Now button for real time bookings with managed inventory and TXA integration (accommodation only). Customisation options are excellent using the embedded calendar, less so with the Book Now button. ResOnline have a pricing model that starts at $39/mth for 1-10 rooms. There is no per transaction fee if the operator processes their own credit card transactions offline, or a $4.80 booking fee if ResOnline process the booking. Integration with WordPress via a plugin available.
Glendalough Estate: Glendalough Estate
Barefoot Bungalows: Barefoot Bungalows
The Painted Fish (Fremantle): The Painted Fish
Sunset Holiday Villas (Arthur River Tas): Sunset Holiday Villas
RMS
RMS provides a Book Now button for real time bookings with managed inventory and TXA integration (accommodation only). Customisation of look and feel is limited. RMS charge setup costs and ongoing fees/commissions.
Captains By the Bay (Broome): Captains By The Bay
Stayz
Stayz provides a Book Now button for real time bookings with managed inventory (accommodation only). Customisation of look and feel is limited. Stayz charge ongoing fees/commissions.
Ron Roozen’s Place (Margaret River): Ron Roozen’s Place
Enquiry Form
Using an enquiry form, you receive email notification of booking enquiries and contact the guest to confirm availability and manage payments for accommodation and tours. You can set up your own enquiry forms (with calendar options) without any setup fees or commissions applying.
Tibetan Trekking: TibetanTrekking.com
Parry Creek Farm (East Kimberley): Parry Creek Farm
Great Escape Charter Co (Broome): Great Escape
Moore River Holidays (Moore River WA): Moore River Holidays
Amsara Luxury Retreat (Broome): Amsara Broome Luxury Retreat
Cobar Copper City Motel (Cobar): Cobar Copper City Motel
Goin Off Safaris (Eyre Peninsula): Goin’ Off Safaris
Availability Calendar and Enquiry Form
You can set up a calendar using the WordPress Events Calendar and embed it on your website to show availability. You can manually update your calendar to show up to date inventory on your website. Customers can then check availability themselves and book/pay online or via email/phone.
Rockpool Beach House: Rockpool Beach House
Enquiry Form/PayPal Payments
Using a combination of enquiry form and PayPal payment button allows you to accept real time bookings for accommodation and tours. You need to manage inventory manually. PayPal do not have a setup fee, and have a commision for each transaction.
Other Options
More information on TXA and online distribution
More about online distribution, the TXA/ATDW and liquid inventory can be found here:
