Short-term rentals such as Airbnb have become very popular since the emergence of OTAS, specialized online sites. To optimize property management and maximize profitability, it is essential to subscribe to one of these management tools.
Read our article to help you choose, or go directly to the bottom of the article to discover our selection.
What is vacation rental management software?
Seasonal rental management software enables owners and property managers (such as concierge services) to manage their business efficiently. It automates recurring tasks, helping you to :
- Reservation planning ;
- Organizing and synchronizing your calendar and availability;
- Tracking payments (deposits, stays) ;
- Customer billing ;
- Centralized communication with travelers;
- Lease management ;
- Performance and profitability monitoring with tables and graphs;
These management software programs are indispensable and designed to be easy to use. Let’s take a look at the advantages of using this type of tool, also known as the “all-in-one solution”.
The advantages of using vacation rental management software :
Save time and increase efficiency:
The main advantage of short-term rental management software is that it saves time and simplifies certain time-consuming tasks.
Often with a single, centralized interface, it’s easy to manage all tasks.
No more time spent searching for information scattered across different documents and software.
Optimize reservation management :
Availability management :
Another major advantage of these tools is their ability to optimize booking synchronization. Generally, thanks to channel managers. They help avoid problems of overbooking or double booking.
In fact, a channel manager automatically synchronizes the calendar of your ads on various sites such as Airbnb, Booking or Expedia.
Night price management :
The channel manager lets you quickly adjust all your property’s pricing in just a few clicks. Generally time-consuming and tedious, it’s now quick and easy to adjust the rates of your nights on a daily basis.
Improving communication with tenants:
Communicating with guests is an essential aspect of an Airbnb rental. A management system can facilitate this aspect by offering dedicated functionality, such as programming a sequence of emails and sending them automatically. No more missteps and an improved customer experience guaranteed!
Simplify administrative management:
Bookkeeping, invoicing and contract management are often tedious tasks for vacation rental owners. A management tool can greatly simplify these tasks by automating them.
Some of them can add a booking engine, website creation, payment management and performance analysis documents.
Seasonal rental management software: Essential features
To make the right choice, first identify your needs. Then compare the different offers and solutions on the market.
Here are a few that we feel are essential:
Channel manager :
- Reservation synchronization. Prevents overbooking. How does it work? As soon as a reservation is made, the system automatically blocks the date on all platforms linked to the software.
Our advice: Before signing up, make sure it handles all your distribution channels, Airbnb, Booking and other niche sites where you have a presence.
- Price updates: the channel manager will update all your pricing on all linked platforms. Prices can be updated daily!
- Availability update: make sure it allows you to set certain rules.
For example:
- No check-in or check-out on Saturday or any other day of the week;
- 2-night minimum booking or more etc…
Centralized calendar :
It gives you an overview of your ads, reservations and availability.
Our advice: Subscribe to a tool with a clear, intuitive calendar. Indeed, some of them offer cluttered interfaces.
Integrated communication systems :
To facilitate exchanges with tenants before, during and after their stay, an all-in-one solution like Lodgify will enable you to have all the messages from your Airbnb, Booking, Abritel or website customers on a single interface. Smooth, easy communication!
Automated communication :
This type of software lets you plan a sequence of e-mails to enhance your guests’ experience.
- An e-mail when booking;
- A mail before his arrival;
- One mail after his arrival;
- An e-mail to gather feedback from tenants etc…
All these messages will be sent automatically at the time you specify. The only limit is your imagination!
Our advice:
Use this automatic communication to notify your cleaning staff of an intervention. For example, an e-mail with the following information:
- of the apartment concerned ;
- dates of stay ;
- date of intervention ;
Billing and accounting :
To simplify the administrative management of your business, these all-in-one software packages include an invoicing module. No need to use a second program.
- Each time a customer requests an invoice, you can e-mail it to them. Even better, you can program an automatic send at the end of the stay!
- Create an “extra” and invoice your customers in just a few clicks!
- Create accounting reports for comparison with previous years;
- Determine the sales and tourist tax to be declared ;
- Payment of deposit.
Mobile application :
Choose one with a mobile application. You’ll be notified of important events at any time.
Generally, this application can be used by your household staff with reduced access to information.
Integrated website :
You have two options:
- or you can integrate the booking engine into your WordPress or Wix website;
- or choose one of thetools that provide templates and create your own website!
Detailed reports and dashboards :
Improving profitability means keeping good track of your business, and this often means filling in time-consuming Excel files.
Some solutions, such as Lodgify, allow you to create customizable reports.
The dashboard will enable you to easily monitor the performance of your rentals and identify areas for improvement.
Most of these features are necessary when starting a professional tourism business.
Seasonal rental management software: Interesting features :
For the best performers, they offer interesting options that improve either :
– apartment management ;
– customer experience ;
External software integration module :
If you’re looking to expand, you’ll want to know about our ability to integrate with other software.
In fact, integration with Pricelabs will make it possible to manage your rates automatically. Generally speaking, it becomes interesting when you have more than 5 properties.
Task management :
This module allows you to assign tasks to your cleaning or maintenance staff according to the apartments and their availability.
Guest management and application :
Lodgify software offers a guest application to make your stay unforgettable!
You’ll be able to share all the information they need before their arrival, including a digital welcome booklet, key box code and rental contract.
How much does a vacation rental management software package cost?
The cost of management software for one or more vacation rentals can vary according to the options available and the number of properties you manage.
Between 40 and 60 euros for a monthly payment. The subscription will be a monthly subscription, generally with a discount of 10% or 20% for an annual subscription.
Obviously, the more apartments you connect, the lower the cost per property. Rates are on a sliding scale.
That’s why it’s important to compare offers based on the features you’re going to use over time.
In a nutshell:
If you want to professionalize your business and manage your vacation rentals efficiently, this type of software is essential to make your life and daily routine easier. You can automate certain tasks and centralize all important information.
To choose the solution that’s right for you, it’s essential to take a close look at its features and functions.
Last but not least, it will help you avoid human errors when booking (date of stay, traveller’s name, etc.).
Despite its cost, it’s still very attractive, as it allows you to “do without the services” of a concierge if you wish.
Our choice of vacation rental management software :
Lodgify is the ultimate vacation rental management software. Its all-in-one solution offers all the features mentioned above.
You’ll have access to templates to create your own online site. The payment process will also be integrated. Support is available for setting up the tool.
To discover Lodgify with a free 7-day trial , click on the link.
To find out more, read our review of the best all-in-one solution!
