Quick Win: Many hosts who follow this 7-day guide report getting their first direct booking within 2 weeks, potentially saving $300-500 in OTA commissions.
Every day you delay launching direct bookings costs you money. While you're reading this, OTAs are taking 15-20% of your revenue. But here's the good news: you can launch your professional direct booking website and potentially get your first commission-free booking in just 7 days.
This step-by-step roadmap is designed to help vacation rental hosts break free from OTA dependency. Each day has specific tasks, realistic time estimates, and clear outcomes. By this time next week, you could have a fully functional direct booking system with the potential to save thousands annually.
Note: Results vary based on your market, property type, and implementation. The examples and timelines in this guide are illustrative.
Before You Start: The 30-Minute Prep
Before diving into Day 1, gather these essentials (you probably have most already):
Pre-Launch Checklist
Property Photos
- 10-20 high-quality photos per property
Property Descriptions
- Can copy from existing OTA listings
Pricing Information
- Your nightly rates and any seasonal variations
Contact Information
- Business email and phone number
Logo/Brand Colors (Optional)
- If you have them; if not, we'll create them
Day 1: Foundation - Launch Your Professional Website (2-3 hours)
Your journey to commission-free bookings starts with a professional website. Today, you'll go from nothing to a live, beautiful website.
Morning Tasks (1 hour)
Step 1: Create Your Direct Booking Platform
Time: 15 minutes
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Sign up for your free account Visit Sommer's signup page and create your account
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Create your organization Name it after your vacation rental business
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Get your instant subdomain You'll get yourname.getsommer.com immediately
Step 2: Choose Your Perfect Theme
Time: 20 minutes
Sommer offers 3 professional themes (all available on all plans). Each is:
- Mobile-responsive and fast-loading
- Optimized for conversions
- SEO-ready out of the box
Pro Tip: Choose a theme that matches your property style. Beach properties? Pick a bright, airy theme. Mountain cabins? Go for something cozy and warm.
Step 3: Customize Your Brand
Time: 25 minutes
Color Scheme (5 minutes)
- Choose from 16 professional color schemes
- Or use your existing brand colors
- Preview changes instantly
Typography (5 minutes)
- Select from 16 font pairings
- Optimized for readability
- Professional and modern
Logo & Identity (15 minutes)
- Upload your logo (or create one later)
- Add your business name
- Set contact information
Afternoon Tasks (1-2 hours)
Domain Setup (Optional but Recommended)
Your free subdomain (yourname.getsommer.com) works perfectly fine. Custom domains are optional but add professionalism.
Option 1: Use Existing Domain (30 minutes)
- Access your domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.)
- Update DNS settings (Sommer provides instructions)
- Connect in Sommer dashboard
- SSL certificate auto-configured
Option 2: Register New Domain (45 minutes)
- Choose a domain name (yourvacationrentals.com)
- Register with any registrar ($10-15/year)
- Follow Option 1 steps above
Day 1 Success Metrics
By end of Day 1, you should have:
- ✅ Live website at yourname.getsommer.com
- ✅ Professional theme selected
- ✅ Brand colors and fonts configured
- ✅ Domain connected (optional)
Day 1 Complete! Your direct booking website is now live. It took less time than watching a movie, and you're positioned to save 15-20% on future bookings.
Day 2: Content - Create Irresistible Property Listings (2-3 hours)
Today you'll transform your empty website into a showcase that converts browsers into bookers.
Morning: Property Listings (1.5 hours)
Creating Your First Property Listing
Time: 30 minutes per property
Step 1: Basic Information (10 min)
- Property Name: Make it memorable and searchable Example: "Sunset Beach Villa" instead of "Property 1"
- Property Type: House, Apartment, Villa, Cabin, etc.
- Location Details: Full address (can hide exact location publicly)
- Guest Capacity: Bedrooms, bathrooms, max guests
Step 2: Compelling Description (15 min)
Writing Tip: Start with the experience, not the features. "Wake up to ocean waves..." beats "3-bedroom house with kitchen."
Description Structure:
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Opening Hook (2-3 sentences) Paint a picture of the experience Example: "Escape to your private mountain retreat where morning coffee comes with panoramic valley views and evening stars feel close enough to touch."
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Unique Features (3-4 bullets) What makes your property special
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Location Benefits (2-3 sentences) Proximity to attractions, restaurants, activities
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Call to Action "Book your stay" or "Check availability"
Step 3: Strategic Pricing (5 min)
Direct Booking Price Strategy:
- Set your base nightly rate
- Add weekend pricing (optional)
- Configure minimum stay requirements
- Set cleaning fees transparently
Pricing Advantage: Consider offering 10% less than your OTA price. You can still make more money (no commissions), and guests save too!
Afternoon: Photos & Amenities (1.5 hours)
Photo Upload
Time: 20 minutes per property
Photo Upload Best Practices:
- Hero Image First - Your best exterior or view shot
- Logical Flow - Exterior → Living → Bedrooms → Bathrooms → Amenities
- Highlight Unique Features - Pool, view, special amenities
Note: Free Plan includes 10 photos per property. Pro Plan offers unlimited photos.
Quick Tip: Use drag-and-drop to reorder photos. The system automatically optimizes them for fast loading.
Amenity Selection
Time: 10 minutes per property
Sommer provides 100+ pre-defined amenities organized by category. Simply check what applies:
Essentials
- WiFi, Air conditioning, Heating, Hot water
Kitchen
- Full kitchen, Coffee maker, Dishwasher, Microwave
Entertainment
- TV, Streaming services, Board games, Books
Outdoor
- Pool, Hot tub, BBQ grill, Garden
Day 2 Success Metrics
By end of Day 2, you should have:
- ✅ All properties listed with descriptions
- ✅ Photos uploaded and organized
- ✅ Amenities selected
- ✅ Pricing configured
Day 3: Trust - Build Credibility That Converts (2 hours)
Trust is the bridge between browsers and bookers. Today you'll add the elements that make guests confident to book directly.
Morning: About & Contact Pages (1 hour)
Creating Your Story
Psychology Insight: Studies suggest guests can be significantly more likely to book directly when they feel a personal connection with the host.
About Page Template:
Adapt this structure to your unique story:
Opening: "Hi! We're [Your Name], and we've been welcoming guests to [Location] since [Year]."
Your Why: "We started our vacation rental business because [your motivation]."
Your Promise: "When you book directly with us, you get [list 3 benefits like personal service, local tips, best rates]."
Call to Action: "We'd love to host you. Feel free to reach out with any questions!"
Contact Information
- Phone Number: Include country code for international guests
- Email Address: Professional email (not Gmail if possible)
- Response Time: Set expectations: "We respond within 2 hours"
Essential Policies
Direct Booking Advantage: You set your own policies—no platform restrictions!
Essential policies to include:
- Check-in/Check-out times
- Cancellation policy (can be more flexible than OTAs)
- House rules
- Pet policy
- Minimum stay requirements
Afternoon: Trust Signals & Security (1 hour)
Quick Trust Builders (30 minutes)
- SSL Certificate: Automatically included with Sommer (shows padlock in browser)
- Business Verification: Add your business license number if applicable
- Guest Reviews: Import a few reviews from OTAs (with permission)
Payment & Booking Security (30 minutes)
Note: Full payment processing will be configured when booking functionality is available. For now, focus on displaying trust signals.
- Display accepted payment methods
- Mention secure payment processing
- Add refund/cancellation policy
Day 3 Success Metrics
By end of Day 3, you should have:
- ✅ Compelling About Us page
- ✅ Clear contact information
- ✅ Guest-friendly policies
- ✅ Trust signals displayed
Day 4: Visibility - Get Found Online (3 hours)
Your website is beautiful and trustworthy. Now let's make sure people can find it.
Morning: Local SEO Setup (1.5 hours)
Google My Business Setup
The most important 45 minutes you'll spend this week
Important: Google My Business can potentially drive a significant portion of your direct bookings for free. Don't skip this!
-
Create/Claim Your Listing (15 min)
- Go to business.google.com
- Select "Vacation Rental" as category
-
Complete Your Profile (20 min)
- Add all photos from your website
- Include your direct booking website URL
- Set service area (your city/region)
- Add business hours (or 24/7 for online bookings)
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Optimize for Search (10 min)
- Use keywords: "vacation rental [location]"
- Add attributes (WiFi, Parking, Pet-friendly)
- Write keyword-rich description
Afternoon: Online Directories & Social Media (1.5 hours)
Quick Directory Submissions
30 minutes for massive visibility boost
Submit your vacation rental to these free directories:
- TripAdvisor (Free Listing) - 10 min
- Yelp Business - 5 min
- Local Tourism Board - 10 min
- Chamber of Commerce - 5 min
Pro Tip: Always use the exact same business name, address, and phone number (NAP) across all directories for SEO.
Social Media Quick Setup
Focus on 2 platforms maximum
Facebook Business Page (30 min)
- Create page under "Vacation Rental" category
- Add all photos and property details
- Link to your direct booking website prominently
- Enable messaging for inquiries
Instagram Business (30 min)
- Convert to business account
- Add website link in bio
- Post 5-10 best property photos
- Use location tags and hashtags
Quick Win: Post one photo per week to stay active. That's it—don't overcomplicate social media!
Day 4 Success Metrics
By end of Day 4, you should have:
- ✅ Google My Business live
- ✅ 3-4 directory listings submitted
- ✅ Social media profiles created
- ✅ Website linked everywhere
Forever free plan • No credit card • 30-minute setup
Day 5: Conversion - Optimize for Bookings (2 hours)
Your site is live and findable. Now let's make it irresistible to book.
Morning: Booking Incentives (1 hour)
Creating Your Direct Booking Offer
The 10% Strategy: Consider offering 10% off for direct bookings. You can still earn more than OTA bookings, and guests save money. Win-win potential!
Discount Strategies:
- Basic: 10% off all direct bookings
- Length: 15% off stays of 7+ nights
- Early: 12% off bookings made 30+ days in advance
- Loyalty: 15% off for returning guests
Exclusive Perks (cost you little but add huge value):
- Early Check-in/Late Checkout - When available—guests love flexibility
- Welcome Basket - Local treats, wine, or coffee ($20 cost, huge impact)
- Free Parking/WiFi Upgrade - If you charge for these on OTAs
Flexibility Advantages:
- Flexible Cancellation - Free cancellation up to 7 days (vs OTA's strict policies)
- Custom Stay Lengths - Allow 2-night minimums when OTAs require 3+
- Payment Plans - 50% now, 50% at check-in for longer stays
Afternoon: Clear Calls-to-Action (1 hour)
Making Booking Easy & Obvious
Add These CTAs to Your Site:
- Header Button - "Book Direct & Save 10%" visible on every page
- Property Pages - "Check Availability" and "Book Now" buttons
- Footer - Phone number and "Quick Inquiry" link
Booking Process Setup:
While full booking integration is coming, set up these contact methods now:
- Email inquiry form
- WhatsApp business number
- Calendar showing available dates
- Clear "How to Book" instructions
Day 5 Success Metrics
By end of Day 5, you should have:
- ✅ Direct booking incentive created
- ✅ Clear CTAs throughout site
- ✅ Easy booking/inquiry process
- ✅ Mobile-optimized experience
Day 6: Marketing - Launch Your First Campaign (2 hours)
Time to tell the world about your direct booking website!
Morning: Email Your Existing Network (1 hour)
The Goldmine in Your Inbox
Past guests are 5x more likely to book direct
Legal Note: Only email guests who've given permission or with whom you have an existing relationship.
Email Template Example:
Subject: Save 10% on Your Next Stay at [Property Name] 🏖️
Hi [Guest Name],
Hope you've been well since your stay with us last [timeframe]!
I wanted to share some exciting news: We've launched our new direct booking website, which means:
- You save 10% on every booking (no OTA fees!)
- More flexible cancellation options
- Direct communication with us
- Exclusive perks for direct bookers
As a thank you for being a valued guest, here's your exclusive code for 15% off your next stay: DIRECT15
Check out our new website: [Your Website URL]
Looking forward to welcoming you back!
Best regards, [Your Name]
Typical Results: Many hosts see 20-30% open rates, with 5-10% potentially booking within 30 days.
Prioritize Your Outreach:
- Repeat Guests - Have stayed 2+ times
- Recent Guests - Last 6 months
- 5-Star Reviewers - Left great reviews
Afternoon: Social & Local Outreach (1 hour)
Social Media Announcement (20 min)
Example Facebook/Instagram Post:
🎉 BIG NEWS! 🎉
Book directly with us and SAVE 10% on every stay!
No more OTA fees, just: ✅ Better prices for you ✅ Direct communication ✅ Flexible booking options ✅ Exclusive perks
Visit our new website: [URL]
Use code LAUNCH for 15% off this month only!
#DirectBooking #VacationRental #[YourLocation]
Boost Tip: Spend $20-50 to boost this post to people interested in travel to your area.
Local Partners (30 min)
Quick partnership opportunities:
- Local Restaurants - Offer to promote them to guests for referral exchange
- Activity Providers - Tours, rentals, experiences - mutual referrals
- Wedding Planners - Great for group bookings
- Corporate HR - Business travel and team retreats
Update OTA Listings (10 min)
Important: Check OTA policies—some restrict promoting direct bookings.
Where allowed, subtly mention:
- "Find us online for best rates"
- "Google [Your Business Name] for more info"
- Include your business name prominently
- Add professional photos with your logo/branding
Day 6 Success Metrics
By end of Day 6, you should have:
- ✅ Emails sent to past guests
- ✅ Social media announcement posted
- ✅ 2-3 local partnerships initiated
- ✅ OTA listings subtly updated
Day 7: Systems - Automate & Scale (2 hours)
The final day! Let's set up systems so your direct bookings run on autopilot.
Morning: Automation Setup (1 hour)
Essential Email Automations
- Inquiry Response - Auto-reply within 5 minutes with availability and rates
- Booking Confirmation - Details, check-in instructions, what to expect
- Pre-Arrival (3 days before) - Check-in reminder, local recommendations
- Post-Stay (2 days after) - Thank you, review request, return guest discount
Time Saver: Templates like these can handle the majority of guest communication.
Response Templates
Example: Inquiry Response
Hi [Name],
Thank you for your interest in [Property]!
Great news—it's available for your dates [dates]. The rate is $[rate]/night with our 10% direct booking discount already applied.
You can book directly through our website [URL] or reply to this email with any questions.
Looking forward to hosting you!
Example: Booking Confirmation
Booking confirmed! 🎉
Property: [Property Name] Check-in: [Date] at [Time] Check-out: [Date] at [Time] Total: $[Amount]
We'll send check-in instructions 3 days before arrival.
Afternoon: Performance Tracking (1 hour)
Track What Matters
Weekly Tracking Dashboard:
- Direct Bookings
- Commission Saved
- Website Visitors
- Conversion Rate
Set Up Google Analytics (30 min):
- Create free Google Analytics account
- Add tracking code to your website
- Set up conversion tracking for inquiries
- Create monthly report automation
Suggested Goals:
- Month 1: Aim for 10% of bookings direct
- Month 2: Target 20%
- Month 6: Work towards 50%+
Day 7 Success Metrics
By end of Day 7, you should have:
- ✅ Email automations configured
- ✅ Response templates ready
- ✅ Tracking system in place
- ✅ First week's marketing planned
🎉 Congratulations! Your Direct Booking System is Live!
You Did It! Here's What You've Accomplished:
Your Direct Booking Assets:
- ✅ Professional website (live)
- ✅ All properties showcased
- ✅ Trust signals established
- ✅ Google visibility active
- ✅ Marketing launched
- ✅ Systems automated
Your Potential Savings:
- 💰 Up to 15-20% commission savings
- 💰 Potential $10,000-50,000 annual savings
- 💰 Opportunity for higher guest lifetime value
- 💰 Full control of pricing
- 💰 100% of guest data owned
- 💰 Unlimited growth potential
Week 2 and Beyond: Scaling Your Success
Your 30-Day Roadmap
Week 2: Optimization Week
- Add 3-5 guest testimonials
- Create a blog post about your area
- Set up Google Ads ($100 test budget)
- Join 2-3 local Facebook groups
- Optimize your Google My Business with posts
Week 3: Growth Week
- Launch referral program (guests get 10% for referrals)
- Partner with 3 local businesses
- Create seasonal promotion
- Add video tour to website
- Start email newsletter
Week 4: Scale Week
- Analyze first month's data
- Adjust pricing based on demand
- Create loyalty program
- Plan content calendar
- Consider upgrading to Pro plan for more features
Example Results Timeline
Example progression - individual results vary significantly based on market, marketing efforts, and property appeal:
- Month 1: Could achieve 2-5 direct bookings (10% of total)
- Month 3: Potentially 10-15 bookings (25% of total)
- Month 6: May reach 25-30 bookings (50% of total)
- Year 1: Could achieve 60-70% direct bookings
Remember: Every single direct booking can save you money immediately. There's typically no "break-even" period—you can profit from day one!
Common Questions & Quick Fixes
Your Next Steps
Keep the Momentum Going!
Week 1 ✓ - Your direct booking system is live
Week 2-4 - Follow the scaling roadmap above
Month 2+ - Optimize based on data and results
In just 7 days, you've built the foundation for commission-free bookings. You've taken control of your business and positioned yourself for sustainable growth. The first booking might take a few weeks, but when it comes, you'll keep 100% of that revenue. Each subsequent booking typically becomes easier to secure. Many hosts report that within months, they see significant progress in their direct booking percentage.
Remember: Every major hotel chain prioritizes direct bookings. They know something most vacation rental hosts are just discovering—the path to profitability isn't through OTAs, it's around them.
Welcome to your commission-free future! 🎉
Resources & Support
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