Touristique

How do I choose a bed and breakfast platform?

Published at August 28, 2024 by Amandine Disdero

Choosing the right platform to promote your products bed and breakfast is essential to maximise your bookings and attract the right customers. With so many platforms available, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this article, we'll guide you through the essential criteria to consider when making the best choice.

Contents
1. Criteria for choosing a platform
1.1. Type of customers targeted
1.2. Fees and commissions
1.3. Visibility and reach
1.4. Features and services
1.5. Opinions and reputation
2. Comparison of the main platforms
2.1. Airbnb
2.2. Gîtes de France
2.3. Booking.com
3. Summary of criteria to be considered
4. Conclusion

Criteria for choosing a platform

1. Type of customer targeted

The first criterion to consider is the type of clientele you want to attract. Some platforms are better suited to families, others to young couples or business travellers. pions de couleurs For example:

Airbnb: Popular with young travellers and couples.
Gîtes de France: Ideal for families and rural tourism enthusiasts.
Booking.com: Large audience, including business travellers.

2. Fees and commissions

Fees and commissions vary widely between platforms. It is important to understand these costs in order to assess their impact on your profitability. Here are a few examples:

Airbnb: 3% commission for hosts, but can go up to 14% for travellers.
Gîtes de France: Annual labelling fee (around €250 for gîtes and €150 for chambres d'hôtes) and 15% to 20% commission on bookings.
Booking.com: 15% commission on each booking.

3. Visibility and reach

The visibility of your advert is crucial in attracting bookings. National platforms such as Booking.com and Airbnb offer international reach, while local platforms such as Gîtes de France can offer increased visibility to a specific clientele.

4. Features and services

The functionalities offered by the platforms can vary. Some offer comprehensive management tools, while others focus on simplicity and optimising the user experience. For example :

Airbnb: User-friendly interface, payment management and options for communication with customers.
Booking.com: Advanced management tools, integration with property management systems (PMS).
Gîtes de France: Star rating, strict quality criteria.

5. Opinions and reputation

User reviews and the reputation of the platform can also influence your choice. Platforms with good reviews and a strong reputation can attract more quality customers.

Comparison of the main platforms

Airbnb

Advantages :

High international visibility.
Intuitive user interface.
Communication and payment management tools.

Disadvantages:

Commissions can be high for travellers.
Strong competition.

Gîtes de France

Advantages :

Solid reputation in France.
Strict quality criteria.
Target audience for rural tourism.

Disadvantages :

Annual certification fee.
Relatively high commissions.

Booking.com

Advantages :

International reach.
Advanced management tools.
High visibility.

Disadvantages:

15% commission
Sometimes complex interface for new users.

Summary of criteria to be considered

Type of customer: Define your target audience.
Fees and commissions: Compare costs.
Visibility: Evaluate the platform's reach.
Features: Analyse the tools and services offered.
Reviews and reputation: Consult reviews and the platform's reputation.

Conclusion

Choosing the right platform for your bed and breakfast is a strategic decision that can greatly influence your success. By taking the above criteria into account, you'll be better equipped to make an informed choice. Take the time to evaluate each option and don't hesitate to test several platforms to find the one that best meets your needs.