Guide
A website for your holiday rental: the options compared.
There are four realistic routes: stay with only a listing, build a site yourself with a website builder, use booking software with a website module, or have a page made for you. Which one fits depends on how many homes you have, whether you want direct bookings and how much time you want to spend.
In short
- Only a listing: free, but you are only found inside the platform.
- DIY website builder: flexible and cheap in money, expensive in time.
- Booking software: for direct bookings and several homes, with more set-up and responsibility.
- Done-for-you showcase page: your own page and domain with little effort; booking stays on Airbnb.
The four options at a glance
| Only a listing | DIY builder | Booking software | Done-for-you page | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your own domain | No | Yes | Usually | Yes |
| Found on Google by name and area | Rarely | If you set it up well | If you set it up well | Set up for it |
| Ready for AI assistants | Hardly | Up to you | Varies | Set up for it |
| Direct bookings and payments | No (on the platform) | With add-ons | Yes | No (button to listing) |
| Your time | None | A lot | Medium to a lot | Little |
| Best for | Occasional hosts | Hosts who like to tinker | Several homes, direct bookings | One or a few homes |
1. Only a listing
The platform does everything: guests, calendar, payment, reviews. It costs you nothing up front. The price is visibility: you are one of many, found almost only by people already searching on that platform, with no address of your own to share.
2. Build it yourself with a website builder
Website builders give you templates and full control. They are a good fit if you enjoy design and writing. Plan for the hidden work: choosing a template, writing every text, compressing photos, setting titles, structured data, translations and keeping everything up to date. Many DIY pages look fine but are never found, because the SEO part is skipped.
3. Booking software with a website
Channel managers and holiday rental software often include a website with a booking engine. That makes sense for hosts with several homes who want direct bookings and one calendar across platforms. In return you take on more: payments, deposits, cancellations, terms, guest screening and keeping calendars in sync. The websites are often template-based, so homes still look alike.
4. A done-for-you showcase page
A page made for your home, on your own domain, with your photos, story and area, set up for Google and AI assistants. Guests book through your listing with one button, so nothing changes in how you work. This is what Hostproud does: from €19 a month plus a one-off set-up of €99, hosting, maintenance and updates included, cancellable every month.
How to choose
- One home, little time, happy with Airbnb: a done-for-you page.
- You love building and writing yourself: a website builder, and read our Google guide first.
- Several homes and you want direct bookings: booking software, possibly with a separate showcase page per home.
- A room now and then: a listing is enough.
Questions to ask any provider
- Is the domain in my name, and can I take it with me?
- Who writes the texts and who adds the photos?
- Is the page set up for Google and AI assistants, and how exactly?
- What happens to my page if I cancel?
- Are hosting, maintenance and updates included in the price?
Questions
What is the cheapest way to get a website for my holiday rental?
In money, a website builder on a basic plan. In time, a done-for-you page is usually cheaper, because design, text, SEO and maintenance are taken care of.
Do I need booking software if I only have one home?
Usually not. If you are happy with bookings through Airbnb, a showcase page with a button to your listing gives you the visibility without the extra work of payments and calendars.
Can I combine options?
Yes. Many hosts keep their listing, add a page of their own, and later add direct bookings for returning guests.
Curious how your home looks on a page of its own?
Send the link to your Airbnb listing. Within 3 working days you’ll receive a free preview of your own page. No obligation.