Managing a holiday let can be a fantastic way to generate income, but many owners are unknowingly leaving significant profits on the table. If you’re relying solely on platforms like Cottages.com, Booking.com, or Airbnb to manage your bookings, you may be losing up to 30% of your revenue in commission fees. 

That’s money that could be reinvested in your property or put straight into your pocket. 

Worse still, relying exclusively on these platforms puts your business at risk. 

So, what’s the solution? Let’s break it down.

The Hidden Costs of High Commissions

Platforms like Cottages.com are convenient, but their convenience comes at a steep price. These platforms typically charge commission fees ranging from 15% to 30% for each booking. 

That might not seem like much on a single booking, but over time, it adds up. For example, if your property rents for £1,000 per week and you’re charged 25% in commissions, you’re losing £250 per booking. Over a year, with just 20 bookings, that’s £5,000 gone.

But the financial loss doesn’t stop there. Owners often feel pressured to keep their prices competitive, meaning you’re earning less per booking while still paying hefty fees. And because you’re listed among thousands of other properties, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. The cost isn’t just monetary, it’s also your time, effort, and visibility.

The Problem With Relying Solely on Third-Party Platforms

Relying entirely on third-party platforms means you’re effectively handing over control of your business. You’re at the mercy of their algorithms, policies, and fees.

 Here are the key challenges:

1. Limited Control Over Bookings: Platforms decide how your property is marketed and ranked, which can significantly impact your bookings. If they change their algorithm tomorrow, your visibility might plummet.
   

2. Lack of Guest Loyalty: These platforms own the guest relationship. You rarely have the opportunity to build a direct connection, making it difficult to encourage repeat bookings.

3. No Control Over Reviews: Reviews are often locked within the platform, which means they don’t benefit your wider online presence or help your business grow outside of that specific platform.
   

4. Risk of Policy Changes: Platforms can change their terms at any time. If a policy or pricing adjustment negatively affects your listing, there is little you can do about it..

By putting all your eggs in one basket, you’re limiting your ability to scale and diversify your revenue streams.

The Solution: Build Your Direct Booking Strategy

The good news? There are ways to take back control, reduce your reliance on high-commission platforms, and boost your profits. 

Here’s how 👇👇👇

1. Collect Google Reviews

Google reviews are critical for building trust and credibility with potential guests. A strong collection of positive reviews helps you rank higher in search results, making it easier for guests to find you directly. Tools like our Google review NFC stand make it effortless for guests to leave feedback with a simple tap.

2. Create Your Own Booking System

Having your own website with a direct booking system is a game-changer. Not only do you avoid commission fees, but you also have complete control over your calendar, pricing, and guest communication. Channel managers can sync your calendar across platforms, ensuring a smooth booking process.

3. Showcase Social Proof

Use your Google reviews to build social proof. Embed them on your website and share them on social media. Guests are more likely to book when they see positive feedback from others.

4. Engage Directly With Guests

Direct bookings allow you to build relationships with your guests. Offer perks for repeat bookings or send personalised follow-ups after their stay. Over time, this can create a loyal customer base that keeps coming back.

High commission fees and lack of control over your bookings don’t have to be the norm. By focusing on building a direct booking strategy, collecting Google reviews, and taking control of your online presence, you can save thousands of pounds and grow your holiday let business sustainably.

If you’re ready to take the next step, we can help. At Review Queen, we offer a free digital reputation audit to show you where you can improve, plus a FREE Google review NFC stand to make collecting reviews effortless. 3

Book your FREE AUDIT today and start taking back control of your bookings 👇👇👇

https://reviewqueen.co.uk/audit