How to get more direct bookings for your shortlet.

Give guests one link to book you

Most lost bookings die in the back-and-forth: “Is it free on Friday?”, “How much for three nights?”, “Send pictures”. A booking page answers all three before the guest messages you.

Your Hostvale booking website shows your photos, amenities, prices and the dates that are free right now, including dates blocked by Airbnb. The guest picks their dates, sees the full price and sends a request. You accept it in one tap.

Find your link in the app under ⋯ → Booking website. Everything below is about getting that link in front of more people.

Put the link where guests already look

• Instagram bio. Most Lagos guests find shortlets on Instagram. Add the link to your bio and say what it does: “Check free dates and book here”.
• Instagram Stories. Use the link sticker on every story that shows an apartment, so viewers can tap straight through.
• WhatsApp Business profile. Add the link to the website field in your business profile, so anyone who opens your chat can see it.
• TikTok. Add it to your bio if your account allows links, and say “link in bio” in your captions.
• Your Airbnb or agent listings. Don't put contact details or links in Airbnb messages or listings. Airbnb doesn't allow it. Use the QR poster inside the apartment instead (see below).

Post on WhatsApp Status every week

Your WhatsApp contacts are past guests, friends of guests and people who already trust you. Status is free and they actually watch it.

• Post one apartment at a time, with the price and the dates that are still free this week or weekend.
• Add your booking link as the last line so people can check dates themselves.
• Post on Wednesday or Thursday for weekend stays, when people are making plans.

The Share kit in the app makes a ready-to-post image for each apartment, with photo, price and link, plus captions you can copy.

Turn past guests into repeat guests

A guest who has stayed once is the cheapest booking you will ever get. They already know the apartment and trust you.

• QR poster in every apartment. Print it from the app and frame it near the door or on the fridge. Guests scan it to book you directly next time.
• Thank-you message after check-out. Hostvale writes it for you, with a link to leave a review and your booking link for next time.
• A returning-guest code. Create a promo code like RETURN10 for 10% off and include it in the thank-you message.
• Reviews on your page. Real ratings from past guests make new guests comfortable paying a host they have never met.

Photos that get the booking

• Shoot in daylight with every light on and the curtains open. Wipe the phone lens first.
• Hold the phone at chest height and keep vertical lines straight.
• Lead with the best room, usually the living room or the view, not the bathroom.
• Show what guests pay for: the bed made, the pool, the PS5, the generator or inverter, the kitchen.
• Five to ten sharp photos beat thirty average ones.

Reply first, win the booking

Guests message several hosts at once and book whoever answers first with a clear price. Turn on lock-screen alerts in Hostvale so your phone buzzes the moment a booking request arrives, then accept it or reply on WhatsApp in one tap.

Fill quiet weeks and gap nights

• Gap nights. One or two empty nights between stays rarely sell at full price. Hostvale spots them and writes a flash deal you can post.
• Weekly and monthly discounts. Corporate guests and people relocating stay longer. A small discount for seven nights or more fills the calendar.
• Special-date prices. Charge more for December, big concerts and long weekends, and less in slow months, instead of one price all year.

Should you be on Google Maps?

Only if you have a real place where guests or staff meet people, like a reception or front desk in your building, or an office for your shortlet business. Google's rules don't allow a Business Profile for a single holiday apartment, and it may remove one.

If you do have an office or reception, create a free profile at business.google.com, add real photos and opening hours, and put your Hostvale booking link as your website.