In short: booking platforms remain useful to get discovered, but every booking there costs a commission, often 15% or more. To grow your share of direct bookings you need a fast, multilingual website with simple booking, a polished Google profile, WhatsApp, and a clear reason to book direct.
1. A website that inspires… and lets guests book
Large photos of rooms, patio and rooftop, a description of the neighbourhood, directions from the airport, and above all a booking button visible on every page. A traveller who has to hunt for how to book goes back to a platform.
2. Speak your guests' language
French, English and, depending on your clientele, Spanish, Italian or Arabic. Each language needs properly translated pages, not machine translation, to appear in searches from each country.
3. Give a reason to book direct
- Best price guaranteed on your website.
- An exclusive perk: airport transfer, breakfast, upgrade subject to availability.
- More flexible cancellation terms.
Show this benefit clearly, right on the homepage.
4. Look after your Google Business Profile
Many travellers discover riads on Google Maps. Recent photos, indicative prices, a link to your website (not a platform), and a reply to every review in the guest's language.
5. Answer on WhatsApp
Travellers ask questions before booking: distance to Jemaa el-Fna, parking, transfers. A WhatsApp button and a quick answer turn those questions into bookings.
6. Win back platform guests
A guest who came through a platform can become a direct guest: a memorable welcome, a card with a QR code to your website, an offer for their next stay. They are the cheapest customers to win back.
7. Show the experience on Instagram
Breakfast on the rooftop, sunset over the Atlas, dinner in the patio: Instagram sells the emotion, your website closes the booking. Put your direct booking link in your bio.
8. Measure
Track the share of direct bookings versus platforms every month. It's the metric that shows whether your efforts pay off.
We work with riads and hotels in Marrakech: multilingual booking websites, photo and video, social media. See our portfolio or message us.