Websites using Selfbook

Okay, let s break down Selfbook, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

Selfbook Overview

Selfbook is a software platform designed specifically for the hospitality industry, primarily focusing on direct booking optimization and a streamlined guest experience. It aims to help hotels and resorts move away from reliance on Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and cultivate direct relationships with guests.

Here s a breakdown of key aspects:

• Core Functionality: Selfbook provides a comprehensive booking engine that integrates with a hotel s existing Property Management System (PMS) and other technology. It handles:
  • Direct Bookings: Enables guests to book rooms, packages, and add-ons directly on the hotel s website with a user-friendly interface.
  • Upselling: Facilitates the presentation of ancillary services and upgrades during the booking process to increase revenue.
  • Personalization: Allows hotels to customize the booking experience based on guest data.
  • Payment Processing: Offers secure and seamless payment processing.
  • Integrated Experiences: Connects with various hotel technology systems for a unified experience.
• Target Audience: Boutique hotels, luxury resorts, independent hotels, and multi-property hospitality groups looking to enhance their direct booking strategy.
• Key Differentiators:
  • Modern User Interface: Focuses on a visually appealing and intuitive booking experience.
  • Emphasis on Mobile-First Design: Caters to the growing trend of mobile bookings.
  • Strong Integration Capabilities: Aims for seamless integration with existing hotel tech stacks.
  • Focus on Upselling & Ancillary Revenue: Provides tools to boost revenue through add-ons.

Revenue

Selfbook is a private company, so they don t publicly disclose their specific revenue figures. However, based on their scale of operations, venture capital funding, and growth trajectory, it can be estimated that they generate substantial revenue through:

• Subscription Fees: They likely operate on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, charging hotels a recurring subscription fee for access to the platform. Pricing may vary based on hotel size, booking volume, and the number of features included.
• Transaction Fees: While not always the case, some booking platforms may also charge a small transaction fee on each booking made. It is not clear if this is a revenue driver for selfbook.
• Add-on Services: They might also generate revenue from premium support or add-on functionalities.

Alternatives

The hotel tech landscape is competitive. Here are some alternatives to Selfbook, broken down by type of solution:

• Other Direct Booking Platforms:

  • Cloudbeds: Offers a comprehensive platform with a booking engine, PMS, and channel manager.
  • SiteMinder: Specializes in channel management but also has booking engine capabilities.
  • Revinate: Known for its guest relationship management (CRM) but also provides booking tools.
  • Little Hotelier: Popular amongst smaller hotels for ease of use and an integrated approach
  • Booking Engine by Wix Hotels: Part of the Wix website builder, great for hotels using Wix for their websites.

• Traditional Property Management Systems (PMS) with Booking Engines:

  • Oracle Hospitality OPERA: A large enterprise-level PMS.
  • Stayntouch: A cloud-based PMS focused on modern hotel operations.
  • RMS: Widely used and offers a comprehensive suite of tools.

• Website Builders with Booking Features:

  • Squarespace: Offers a well-designed website builder with e-commerce capabilities.
  • WordPress: Versatile content management system with numerous booking plugins available.

Choosing an Alternative: The best alternative will depend heavily on:

• Hotel Size & Complexity: Enterprise hotels have very different needs than boutique properties.
• Existing Technology Stack: A solution that integrates well with other systems is important.
• Budget: Costs can vary considerably between platforms.
• Specific Needs: Hotels may need to prioritise features like CRM, upselling, or channel management.

Pricing

As a private company, Selfbook does not make its pricing publicly available. However, based on the industry, here s a likely pricing structure:

• Subscription-Based: Likely operates on a SaaS model with monthly or annual subscription fees.
• Tiered Pricing: Pricing may be based on the number of rooms, booking volume, or the features included.
• Implementation Fees: There may be one-time fees for onboarding, training, and integration.
• Potential Transaction Fees: Depending on the plan, Selfbook may also charge a small percentage per booking.

Key Factors Influencing Pricing:

• Hotel Size: Larger hotels generally pay higher fees.
• Features: More advanced features like personalization, analytics, and premium support may increase costs.
• Contract Terms: Longer-term contracts may come with discounted rates.

To get exact pricing, it s necessary to contact Selfbook directly and request a quote.

Customer Care Details

Selfbook, as a tech company, would provide customer care through various channels. While specific details might vary, expect the following:

• Dedicated Account Manager: Larger accounts may be assigned a dedicated account manager for support.
• Online Support Portal: A knowledge base with articles and FAQs to address common issues.
• Email Support: A standard channel for questions, issues, and feature requests.
• Phone Support: May be available for urgent matters, or for specific clients.
• In-App Support: Some tools may have in-app chat or support options.
• Onboarding & Training: They would likely provide support and training during the implementation phase.

Key things to inquire about when assessing their customer care:

• Response Times: What are their service-level agreements (SLAs) regarding response times?
• Support Availability: Is support available 24/7 or only during business hours?
• Onboarding Process: How comprehensive is their onboarding and training program?
• Success Stories: How do existing customers rate their support?

In summary

Selfbook offers a modern and feature-rich direct booking platform for hotels seeking to reduce reliance on OTAs. While it might not be the best option for all properties, especially smaller hotels on a tight budget, it s a strong contender for those seeking a powerful solution with a focus on upselling and personalized experiences. Before deciding, thoroughly compare it to the alternatives, get clear pricing information, and ensure that their customer support system meets your needs.