Managed Websites
A managed direct-booking website for self-catering properties helps you grow bookings you control — reducing dependence on intermediaries and building a stronger, more resilient business.
Managed Direct Booking Websites
For when…
- You want more direct bookings.
- You don't want your business overly reliant on Airbnb and Booking.com.
- You'd rather spend time on guests than websites.
- You want confidence that things are moving in the right direction.
- You'd like an expert looking after your digital presence.
- You want your website to always be improving.
Ever-Evolving Websites
A direct-booking website isn't a static brochure. It's an active sales channel.
The traditional approach is to treat a website as a project: design it, build it, launch it, then revisit it a few years later. The problem is that the web doesn't stand still. Search habits change. Competitors improve. New technology emerges. Guest expectations evolve.
Your site needs to deal with the world the way it is, not the way it was.
More importantly, it needs to be building a booking channel you own. The goal isn't to replace Airbnb or Booking.com. The goal is to ensure your business isn't dependent on them.
The Managed Direct Booking Website takes a different approach. Instead of periodic rebuilds and sporadic updates, your website is actively managed as part of a simple ongoing agreement. We build or rebuild it, host it, maintain it, monitor it and continually improve it over time.
That includes the maintenance, monitoring and regular reviews that keep the website performing and identify opportunities to grow direct bookings. The result is a website that stays secure, visible and relevant — helping you grow direct bookings while we take care of everything behind the scenes.
What's included
- Quarterly reviews and planning
- Ongoing improvements
- Direct access to us
- Search visibility monitoring
- Performance & uptime monitoring
- Purpose-built website
- Hosting & maintenance
Great for
- Self-catering owners, small estates and property portfolios
- Owners who want to grow direct bookings
- Owners who want an expert looking after the website
- Owners who see their website as a business asset
- Owners who value a long-term relationship rather than a one-off build
Not great for
- People looking for the cheapest possible website
- People who want to do everything themselves
- Businesses expecting daily social media management
- People who want to set and forget
- Large complex platform projects that need fully bespoke quoting
FAQs
I already have a website. Can you work with that?
Yes. We always start by looking in detail at what you already have.
If your current website has good foundations, we'll look at the most sensible way to improve it. If we believe a rebuild would provide better long-term value, we'll explain why and talk you through the options.
Our goal isn't to rebuild websites for the sake of it. It's to put you in the strongest position to grow direct bookings and maintain that position over time.
Can I keep my domain?
Yes.
If you already own your domain and have access to it, we'll absolutely use it. Your domain is one of your most valuable digital assets and forms an important part of your direct-booking channel.
We'll handle the technical work required to connect it to the website and ensure transition is smooth.
Can I keep my booking system?
Yes.
We'll integrate your existing booking system into the website so you can continue using the tools and processes you're already familiar with.
What if I have multiple properties?
The Managed Direct Booking Website is designed to work for both individual holiday lets and small portfolios.
A single property starts at £250/month. Additional properties on the same website are charged at £85/month each.
We'll discuss the best structure during the discovery call. In some cases, multiple properties work well on a single website. In others, separate websites may be more appropriate depending on location, branding and how the properties are marketed.
What counts as an additional property?
An additional property is another holiday let promoted on the same website.
For example, five cottages on the same estate would typically be one website with four additional properties.
However, if properties are marketed separately, have different branding, or serve different locations, separate websites may be a better approach.
We'll discuss the most appropriate structure during the discovery call and explain any pricing before work begins.
What happens during the quarterly review?
We're always happy to hear from clients between reviews. Questions come up, opportunities arise, and sometimes things simply need a second opinion.
The quarterly review isn't when we start paying attention. We're already monitoring the website and looking after the day-to-day details. Instead, it's a chance to deliberately step back and think.
Together, we'll review what's changed, revisit priorities and make sure we're still working towards the same goals. It's an opportunity to assess progress, discuss new ideas and identify opportunities to improve visibility and grow direct bookings.
Just as importantly, the review keeps the direct-booking channel front of mind. While you're focused on guests, maintenance and running the business, the review creates space to consider how your website and online presence are supporting those wider goals.
What if I need small changes between reviews?
That's absolutely fine.
You'll have access to update your own content, and many clients choose to make simple changes themselves. If you'd rather not, just get in touch and we'll be happy to help.
The managed service includes time for the small improvements, adjustments and housekeeping that naturally arise as a website evolves. If something larger is required, we'll discuss it with you and agree the best way forward.
Do you manage social media?
Not in the traditional sense.
The Managed Direct Booking Website focuses on your website and direct-booking channel rather than day-to-day social media management.
However, we're exploring ways to make it easier to publish content once and syndicate it across your website and social platforms. Our preference is always to create content on assets you own first, then distribute it elsewhere where it makes sense.
Do you write blog posts or local guides?
Not usually.
At the outset, we'll identify content opportunities that could strengthen the website's visibility and authority. That might include local guides, attraction pages, seasonal content or answers to common visitor questions.
We'll help develop a content plan, identify priorities and provide guidance on what would be useful to create. We can also review and lightly edit content where needed.
However, we believe the best content comes from the people who know the property and the area. We can help you decide what to write, but we can't be authentically you.
The goal isn't to publish content. It's to publish useful content that reflects the character of the property, the area and the people behind it.
What happens after the 12-month minimum?
The 12-month minimum gives us time to establish strong foundations and begin making meaningful improvements.
After that, the agreement simply continues on a rolling basis. You're free to continue with the managed service for as long as it remains valuable to you.
If circumstances change, we'll discuss the available options and help you find the arrangement that makes the most sense for your business.
What if I don't have Google Analytics or Search Console set up?
That's not a problem.
We'll work with whatever information is available and can help put the right measurement in place if needed.
Google Analytics and Search Console can provide useful insights into how people find and use your website, but they're not a requirement to get started.
Many businesses come to us with little or no tracking in place. Establishing a sensible baseline is often one of the first steps in understanding what's working and where improvements can be made.
What success looks like
- More direct bookings
- More control over where bookings come from
- Less dependence on intermediaries
- Building assets you own
- A website that keeps getting stronger
Sound like a better way of doing things?
Let's talk. Leave us your details in the form (or message on WhatsApp) and we'll get in touch to organise a no-obligation call to chat it over.