Do you capitalize on a potential customer’s website visit by turning their clicks into bookings, regardless of whether they used their smartphone, tablet, PC or Mac to find you? Does your mobile booking experience reflect the great service your business provides on a daily basis?
Responsive website design and booking system
It’s no secret: More consumers than ever are using mobile devices to book accommodations, tours and rentals. But mobile devices – particularly smartphones – introduce unique display and checkout issues for operators who offer online bookings. When the Pointhouse at Sargent Bay redesigned their website, they addressed these challenges by deploying a responsive layout and sourcing Checkfront for the booking engine.
Responsive website design automatically provides the optimal website layout based on the device that a customer uses to access the website. For example, if a customer accesses a website using their smartphone, a responsive design might incorporate mobile elements (sliders, toggle switches or select menus), scale images down to fit the screen, or increase the size of buttons so they’re easier to click with a fingertip. This approach also tends to increase a website’s performance by removing or resizing design aspects that increase load times (e.g. large images).
The Pointhouse chose Checkfront to provide booking inventory and management within their modern WordPress design. “Checkfront integrates with many different payment, service and developer add-ons,” says Heather Newman, one of the Pointhouse’s owners.
When a guest books a stay at the Pointhouse using a tablet or a smartphone, Checkfront’s booking system automatically displays a mobile-friendly layout that includes:
- Mobile-optimized date selection.
- Larger buttons to choose desired accommodations and packages.
- Tabbed navigation so the guest can view only the information they’re looking for.
These details provide the guest with a booking experience that is just as refined as the accommodations that the Pointhouse provides.
“I have had great support from Checkfront to work out the kinks particular to our accommodation business. I know I’m not fully utilizing all that Checkfront can do to help me streamline booking operations but even what is set up so far has simplified my life,” says Heather. “I feel that I have a relationship with Checkfront based on the support I’ve received and the interest they’ve taken to help us build our business. They have a great, responsive team.”
Integrated workflows and effective marketing
While the Pointhouse’s relationship with Checkfront helps them manage their bookings, Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO) shares some of the marketing aspect of the operation with Sunshine Coast Bed and Breakfast, Cottage Owners Association (SCBBCOA). “VRBO does a good job of catering to their target market, which is vacation rentals. SCBBCOA covers the BB end,” says Heather. A responsive website design with Checkfront integration, together with VRBO and SCBBCOA’s targeted marketing, have provided an effective combination for the Pointhouse.
About the Pointhouse at Sargent Bay
Fans of architecture and interior design as well as nature lovers will appreciate the Pointhouse B&B and Aerie guesthouse as much for the thoughtfully imaged spaces as the magical locations.
Completely rebuilt in 2012 with a new guesthouse, both the architecture and the landscape reinforce the natural beauty of the striking oceanfront setting. Vast expanses of glass, natural light and breathtaking views create an intimate connection with the beautiful Sunshine Coast scenery. The focus is on appreciating the rugged beauty of the West Coast with the five star comforts of an exclusive resort.
You can be assured of a warm welcome, local knowledge and friendly, personal service throughout your stay all the while enjoying the privacy of your own living space and intimate getaway.
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