How to Build a Direct Booking Website for Airbnb

Because Paying Airbnb 15% for Every Booking Isn’t the Only Option

If you're a host who still remembers writing guest notes by hand or personally meeting every check-in with cookies and a smile, building a direct booking website might sound like a techy leap. But hear us out: it’s way easier than you think, and it might just be your secret weapon to earning more while keeping your business truly yours.

You don’t need to code. You don’t need to hire a whole agency. You just need a little direction—and maybe a VA who knows their way around buttons.

Let’s walk through how to build one, mom-and-pop style.

1. Why Direct Bookings Matter

Here’s a little back-of-the-napkin math: if Airbnb takes 15% per booking, and you host 100 nights a year at $200/night, you’re losing about $3,000 to fees. That’s a lot of oat milk and keyless locks.

Direct bookings:

Let you keep more of your income
Put you in full control of guest experience
Help you turn one-time guests into loyal fans

Also? You’ll look like the polished professional you are.

2. What Your Website Needs to Include

This isn’t just a digital postcard. Your site should actually work for you. Include:

Gorgeous photos (yes, the one with the throw pillows too)
A calendar guests can actually book from
Transparent rates and cancellation policy
House rules and must-know info

Optional, but charming:

A "local faves" guide (you know your town better than Google)
A blog or newsletter (for superhost-level flair)
Social media buttons if you’re feeling fancy

3. Tools & Platforms That Don’t Require Coding (Whew)

You don’t need to hire your cousin’s friend who “does websites.” These drag-and-drop platforms are made for you:

Lodgify
Uplisting
Hostaway
Squarespace (with a booking widget)

They often sync with Airbnb and VRBO so your calendar won’t look like a game of Jenga.

4. Protect Yourself with Smart Payment Setup

Before you roll out the red carpet for direct guests:

Use Stripe or PayPal for secure payments
Have terms & conditions in writing
Use a rental agreement for each booking (templates exist!)
Collect deposits smartly, not awkwardly
Double-check your insurance actually covers direct bookings

You don’t need Airbnb’s umbrella if you’ve got your own raincoat.

5. How to Get People to Actually Use Your Website

Just because you build it doesn’t mean they’ll come. So:

Mention it in your Airbnb checkout message (tactfully!)
Share it on social media (or ask your niece to do it)
Offer a small discount for booking direct (think win-win)
Run fun promos like “Stay 3 nights, get a pizza” (seriously, it works)

Goal isn’t to leave Airbnb. It’s to create options—and margin.

Where SuperHost Depot Comes In

We’ve helped hosts just like you—people with real personalities, real properties, and not a tech background in sight—launch direct booking websites that look sharp and actually work.

With SuperHost Depot, you can:

Get matched with a designer who speaks fluent "non-techy"
Have your booking engine synced and branded
Get support for things like domain names, email setup, and guest automation

You bring the hospitality. We’ll bring the tech side of things.