How does Houfy help hosts get direct bookings?

• We created a great platform where hosts can import their listings from airbnb into Houfy, add pricing and calendar sync + payment option to collect payments directly from guests through Stripe or Square.
• We created widgets / embed tools for hosts to use on their own websites.
• We created a website building tool for hosts to easily build their own websites.
• We created a rental agreement tool for hosts to require guests to sign and upload before accepting the booking.
• Houfy has a wonderful system to send automated messages to guests.
• Houfy syncs perfectly with ical to airbnb/VRBO and other sites.
• and much more.. (Collections/posts- social site etc)

All of this has been created for free! The condition has always been: Hosts need to market their listings themselves and report errors to us to fix. (This is an ongoing process)

Houfy is a host centered and focussed website. Without you Houfy would not be where it is today. Houfy will remain this way!

Which hosts are having succes? I believe most hosts who actively promote their listings and who are actively involved with our community are the ones who win. Listing on Houfy without any further involvement will likely result in not much activity. Why? Because Houfy is currently free and we do not promote Houfy much as it would cost us a fortune!

Direct bookings can come from return guests, from host promotions on social sites, word of mouth or from posts in specific Facebook Groups.

"Swapnil and I will need to make a dashboard - showing listing views per day/week/month etc." We can then also reward hosts who help Houfy by promoting their listings, getting bookings etc. in the form of discounts for featured listings/last minute deals etc. Houfy needs to be a win/win platform for hosts.

Houfy was and is made with lots of LOVE!

Where can we go from here?

I will need to start charging hosts for our services, otherwise I will go bankrupt in keeping Houfy up and running for much longer.

Now: We are at a stage where Houfy needs to go to level 2.. Our traffic has been stagnant, bookings have gone up and listings are being added daily.

Why has traffic been stagnant?

• To keep our costs down.
• No marketing - We do not have the funds to market Houfy or your listings. Houfy has been free and we wanted to focus on our product fist.