Managing bookings effectively is crucial for providing a personalized experience to your guests. MangoBeds offers a flexible Booking Request feature that allows you to review booking inquiries before confirming them. This is an excellent way to avoid automatic confirmations and get to know your guests better before their stay.
Why Use Booking Requests?
- Personalized Guest Interaction: Engage with potential guests to understand their needs and expectations.
- Screen Guests: Assess guests before confirming to maintain the quality and safety of your property.
- Flexible Management: Control which bookings are accepted, especially during high-demand periods or special events.
How to Enable Booking Requests
Enabling booking requests is a straightforward process in MangoBeds. Follow these steps to allow guests to send booking requests instead of booking directly.
Step 1: Access Your Booking Form
- Log in to your MangoBeds dashboard.
- Navigate to “Booking Forms” in the sidebar menu.
- Select the booking form you wish to modify or create a new one.
Step 2: Enable Booking Requests
- Go to Advanced Settings within the booking form editor.
- Find the Option labeled “Allow Booking Requests”.
- Toggle On the setting to enable booking requests.
- Save your changes to update the booking form.
Note: If you decide not to enable this feature, your bookings will continue to work as usual, and reservations will be automatically confirmed upon booking.
Understanding the Booking Request Workflow
When the “Allow Booking Requests” feature is enabled:
- Guests Submit a Booking Request:
- Instead of an immediate confirmation, guests fill out the booking form and submit a request.
- You Receive a Notification:
- An email alert is sent to you, and the booking request appears in your dashboard as a “Booking requested”.
- Review the Request:
- Assess the guest’s details, stay dates, and any special requests. You can also have a call with them if necessary.
- Accept or Decline:
- Choose to confirm the booking or cancel it based on your criteria.
- Guest Notification:
- An email is automatically sent to the guest informing them of your decision.
Customizing Booking Request Communications
Effective communication is key when managing booking requests. MangoBeds allows you to tailor the emails sent to guests during this process.
How to Edit Booking Request Emails
- Navigate to “Communications” in your dashboard sidebar.
- Find or create a communication and select “Booking Request” as the event:
- This is the email sent to guests upon submitting a booking request.
- Customize the Subject and Body:
- Subject Line: Make it clear and welcoming.
- Example: “We’ve Received Your Booking Request!”
- Email Body: Personalize the message.
- Thank the guest for their interest.
- Inform them of the next steps.
- Provide an estimated response time.
- Subject Line: Make it clear and welcoming.
- Save your changes.
Tips for Managing Booking Requests
- Set Clear Expectations:
- Mention on your website that bookings are subject to approval.
- Provide an estimated time frame for responses.
- Prompt Responses:
- Aim to respond to booking requests as quickly as possible to maintain guest interest.
- Collect Necessary Information:
- Use the booking form to gather details that help you make informed decisions (e.g., purpose of stay, number of guests).
- Maintain Professional Communication:
- Keep all communications courteous and helpful, regardless of the booking outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What happens if I don’t enable booking requests?
If you choose not to enable booking requests, bookings will proceed as normal, and reservations will be automatically confirmed upon completion of the booking process.
Q2: Can I enable booking requests for specific accommodations only?
Currently, the booking request setting applies to the entire booking form. If you want different settings for specific accommodations, consider creating separate booking forms.
Q3: How will I know when a new booking request is submitted?
You will receive an email notification for each booking request, and it will appear in your bookings dashboard.
Conclusion
The Booking Request feature in MangoBeds is a valuable tool for property owners who prefer to have more control over their bookings. It allows you to engage with potential guests personally and ensures that each booking aligns with your property’s policies and availability.
By enabling booking requests and customizing your communications, you can provide a personalized and professional experience that sets your property apart.