[Day 1] More Places, More Bookings: Building Your Visibility Strategy

[Recap]

More places, more bookings: Building your visibility strategy

Alex Husner & Annie Holcombe

Distribution is about balance, not loyalty

A strong booking strategy isn’t about choosing between OTAs and direct bookings—it’s about using each channel for what it does best. Visibility, diversification, and control matter more than channel purity.

Hosts who rely too heavily on a single platform take on unnecessary risk.

Know your market before choosing channels

Effective distribution starts with understanding:

• Who is traveling to your market

• When they arrive

• Why they’re visiting

Different guests shop in different places. Families, international travelers, business guests, and last-minute bookers don’t all behave the same—and your channel mix should reflect that.

Not all channels deliver the same value

Each platform attracts different guest profiles:

• Some skew toward families and longer stays

• Others excel at international or business travel

• Some specialize in last-minute or extended stays

Matching inventory to the right channels improves both booking quality and profitability.

Why direct bookings still matter

Direct bookings consistently outperform OTAs on:

• Average daily rate

• Length of stay

• Booking lead time

They also give hosts control over communication, upsells, branding, and guest relationships. The goal isn’t 100% direct—but building repeat and referral demand over time.

What actually converts on a direct website

• Easy, obvious date search on every page

• Mobile-first usability

• Clear answers to common guest questions

• Simple, trustworthy booking flow

• Brand presence that reinforces professionalism

If guests struggle to book—or can’t easily verify you’re legitimate—conversion drops fast.

The takeaway for hosts

Winning visibility today requires a thoughtful distribution mix, strong branding across platforms, and a direct booking experience that’s simple, trustworthy, and guest-friendly. Balance protects revenue—and builds long-term resilience.

Community Q&A highlights

Should hosts choose direct bookings over OTAs?
It’s not an either/or decision. OTAs drive discovery and demand; direct bookings build margin and loyalty. The healthiest businesses balance both, with no single channel dominating total bookings.

Do platforms like Marriott Homes & Villas require a minimum number of listings?
Some do. Marriott Homes & Villas typically requires a larger portfolio or approved partners, while platforms like Furnished Finder work well for individual hosts with one or two properties.

Is Booking.com worth it for U.S.-based hosts?
Yes—especially for international travelers and business guests. Booking.com excels at longer lead times, packaged travel, and global visibility, making it particularly valuable for urban and event-driven markets.

How can hosts validate pricing changes across channels?
After adjusting pricing tools, hosts should spot-check listings directly on each channel for multiple date ranges. This helps confirm sync accuracy and catch rare but costly connectivity issues early.

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Replay link.

Podcast: www.alexandanniepodcast.com

Contact:

alex@directlyalex.com

annie@anniecosolutions.com