Having a great channel manager can mark the difference between an underperforming, inefficient hotel with overbooking issues and an unprofessional reputation, and a smooth-running, streamlined, industry-respected, revenue-generating hot spot.
Choosing a channel manager is another matter entirely.
How do you pick between the options available? Are there really that many differences between them? What makes one better than another?
In this article, we’re going to look at the ins and outs of hotel business channel managers. We’ll explore the benefits of a channel manager, what you need to consider when choosing a channel manager, and look at the best channel manager on the market.
But before we look into how to choose the right channel manager for you, let’s start with the basics: what is a channel manager?
If you work within the hotel sector you’ll likely have heard of them, but exactly what is a channel manager and what can it do for you? The short answer is: a whole lot.
Channel managers are software programs that automate, organise and analyse the booking process for you.
With the vast majority of people today booking their hotel rooms online, a majority that is ever increasing, the number of booking sites popping up and then becoming essential is growing exponentially too. They are crucial in today’s hotel sector. The market is large and you need to have a good presence on booking sites to take advantage of it.
The benefits of a channel manager are infinite. The time and effort saved, and not to mention money, will have a positive impact on all areas of your business. Let’s delve into a few:
With channel manager software, you reach a wider base of customers. An online channel manager will let you access and use effectively a larger number of booking channels. And an increased presence online gives you more of a chance of reaching potential guests.
There’s also the enormous time saver of no longer needing to manually update listings. Whether there are changes to be made on the listing at your end or a customer reserves a room on a platform, everything is simultaneously updated across the channels you use. This means that if a room is booked on Booking.com, the room availability will automatically, and in real-time, be updated across all other sites you use. That is going to say a lot of time.
Most importantly, this also means saying goodbye to overbookings. As everything happens simultaneously, you’re not going to end up with two people booking the same room before you have a chance to update your listings (or if you happen to miss something). No more overbookings equate to happy customers, which results in good reviews and re-booking. It’s a domino effect.
Linked to this is the ability to access everything from one central system. The saves the energy of going through everything, but also makes it simpler for everyone involved. It makes the process easier for staff to learn and is generally a whole lot more user friendly.
As a by-product of this, there will be no human errors. It can be laborious and confusing doing everything manually, but with an online channel manager you don’t need to worry about that.
All of this means you keep ahead of your competition. When you’re saving so much time and increasing your revenue by reaching more customers, not to mention looking more professional in the process, you’re going to be the envy of your competitors. Guests like to know they’re getting the best they can get.
And speaking of the best, when choosing a channel manager, it goes without saying that you’re going to want the best channel manager for you.
Avirato’s channel manager is the best channel manager on the market. But don’t just take our word for it, the facts speak for themselves. Here are just a few of the details that cement Avirato’s place ahead of the pack:
Alongside reaching more people, Avirato’s channel manager has the tools to generate top-level analysis and reports. This means detailed channel and performance reports that enable you to spot booking trends and make smart pricing and distribution decisions, as well as find out which sales channels are most suitable for your hotel business.
Add to this the software’s added streamlining and revenue increasing toolset. Want to set restrictions and create offers? Set different rates and promotions across different channels? Advertise in different currencies? You’ve sorted for this and more with Avirato.
And it’s an investment for the future – Avirato is a dynamic company that constantly adapts and develops its technology to the wants, needs and opportunities of the international hotel sector. You’ll always be ahead of the curve. Avirato’s channel manager is continuously updated with new booking channels as they become available. From Expedia to Airbnb, Google Hotel Ads to Trip Advisor, Housetrip to Flipkey.
Related to this is the benefits that this synchronisation across channels happens with no hidden fees. Unlike other channel managers, you can add channels with no additional cost. You don’t need to worry about monthly payments, as with just one fee you have access to all the channels you need.
What about if you need any help throughout the process? Avirato’s support is second to none. You’ll be guided all the way through your synchronisation process.
If you want to test out this guarantee for yourself, you’re in luck, Avirato offers a free channel manager trial. That’s 20 days of time-saving, streamlining, automating and revenue increasing.
What’s more, the channel manager comes integrated into Avirato’s full PMS system, which the trial caters for too. This means you’ll have a free channel manager trial, a free booking engine trial, free email marketing tools, CRM, back of house, and much more. It comes in a basic version and a premium version, meaning all levels, budgets and needs are provided for.
Whatever solution you’re looking for, Avirato has you covered.
