Should Airbnb or VRBO Hosts Have Their Own Booking Website for Reservations?

Are Airbnb's new 15 to 20 percent host fees eating into your profits? If you manage a short term rental, those commissions can quietly take thousands of dollars from your earnings each year. In 2025, major online travel agencies such as Airbnb and VRBO increased fees again, reducing margins and creating uncertainty for hosts who rely entirely on platform traffic.

The solution many professional hosts are turning to is simple: launch your own direct booking website. A well-designed site gives you more control, stronger guest relationships, and freedom from constant fee increases. It also becomes a valuable asset that works for you, not against you.

Why Direct Booking Matters

Cost savings: With OTA fees climbing to 15 percent or more, many hosts lose close to five thousand dollars annually per property. A direct booking site lets you keep that money and reinvest it into your business.

Data ownership: When you run your own website, guest contact information, preferences, and booking history remain with you. That data allows smarter marketing, repeat stays, and loyalty programs that platforms will never share.

Brand and policy control: Your website represents your style and your standards. You can set your own cancellation policies, pricing structure, and screening process without external interference.

Algorithm freedom: OTA visibility can change overnight when algorithms update. Your website, by contrast, always remains accessible and under your control.

Additional revenue opportunities: Some hosts use their booking websites to promote personal products or local experiences. You can showcase and sell branded merchandise, artwork, or travel accessories that reflect your property's identity. Guests who already trust your hospitality are more likely to purchase items or book experiences directly from your site.

Relationship building: Direct bookings create stronger guest loyalty. When travelers feel a personal connection with the host, they often return or refer friends, reducing dependence on paid listings.

What a Direct Booking Website Should Include

A strong booking site should look and feel professional while offering the same confidence as major platforms. Important features include:

• Real time calendar – guests must see availability instantly
• Secure payments – integrate with Stripe or PayPal for peace of mind
• Messaging tools – guests expect quick, easy communication
• Mobile responsiveness – most travelers book from smartphones
• Fast page speed – sites loading under three seconds convert better
• Simple booking flow – aim for three clicks from search to confirmation
• Trust signals – display reviews, professional photos, and verified security

The Technology That Powers Professional Booking Sites

Modern hosting and automation tools now allow even small operators to use technology once reserved for major management firms. The best-performing direct booking platforms typically rely on:

• Frontend: React and Next.js for optimized SEO and lightning-fast performance
• Backend: Supabase for secure databases, authentication, and scalability
• Payments: Stripe for global transactions with fraud protection
• Hosting: Vercel for fast, edge-based deployments and reliability
• Automation integrations: AI systems that manage guest communication, check-in instructions, and maintenance coordination

These tools provide enterprise-grade reliability and position you as a professional operator while improving the guest experience.

Automating Operations for Better Profitability

The next level of hosting independence comes from automation. Imagine a system that can:

• Automatically schedule cleanings after each stay
• Send alerts for lockouts or urgent repairs
• Restock supplies based on upcoming bookings
• Generate detailed financial reports
• Respond automatically to common guest messages

For what once required a full management company, hosts can now operate almost entirely on autopilot for a small monthly cost. Owners with multiple properties benefit even more as automation scales across listings effortlessly.

Pros and Cons of Going Direct

Owning guest relationships and marketing data gives hosts independence but also responsibility. If you manage customer information, you must comply with privacy and security standards. Each host should consider whether the benefits outweigh the effort.

A direct website is especially valuable for returning guests or trusted repeat clients who already know your property. Even if it represents a smaller percentage of your bookings at first, it builds long-term equity and reduces dependency on external platforms.

For some hosts, it is a small supplemental channel. For others, it becomes the foundation of a recognizable hospitality brand. The outcome depends on how you use it, but in most cases, it can only help.

ROI and Financial Outlook

Figures shown are estimates for illustration purposes. Actual costs and savings vary based on property type, location, occupancy rates, and booking platform fees.

Final Thoughts

Having your own booking website will not replace the need for trusted platforms like Airbnb or VRBO, but it gives you control. You decide how to present your brand, communicate with guests, and manage your revenue.

For short term rental hosts, that control often means the difference between chasing bookings and building a sustainable hospitality business.