4 Features to consider when you choose a Channel Manager for your Hospitality Business

by Erric Ravi CEO at Storify News

It is not easy to find a perfect channel manager for your hotel, the process of finding one can be daunting, especially when the internet is filled with a plethora of options. So don’t worry if you find yourself in a tough spot wherein you have to pick the best while keeping in mind your needs - you are not alone!

Hence, in order to make it even easier for you, below lies some of the key factors one should consider before getting a channel manager.

1) Budget

To begin with, a hotel channel manager is a cloud-based technology. You have to understand that different property/hotel has different needs, and the price heavily depends on the channel manager’s level of complexity. The more money you will invest, the more functionalities and services you will get. However, if you opt for a cheaper option, then be prepared to adapt and make a few concessions.

2) Pricing Model

There are various pricing models followed by many hidden costs, read the following points for a better understanding.

● Try to understand, is it a flat monthly fee, or a monthly commission-based fee that depends on how many reservations are being entered in the system.

● Are there fixed costs for setup?

● Make sure you get your queries resolved. Ask questions such as- Do you have to pay for every single new channel that you want or is it the same price for connecting as many channels as you like?

● Followed by other things like, do you have to pay in advance for a specific period of time or you have to pay it every month?

● Ask if you have to enrol in the program for a certain duration or are free to quit whenever you like?

3) Channels

Your “channels” basically refer to all the different portals through which the travelers book rooms in your hotel. At times, it directly links to your own hotel website, or direct it to different channels such as wholesalers, GDS (Global Distribution System) or OTA (Online Travel Agencies). The questions you need answers for are:

● Which OTA do you plan to connect your channel manager with?

● Then try to figure out if your channel manager can be connected to the OTA’s you want?

● Do you want to sell your rooms through wholesalers or GDS?

4) Consistency across channels

After the point mentioned above, make sure that consistency is maintained across all the channels. After a reservation is made, a hotel must ensure that rates and availability regarding the room must be up-to-date on each site.

The more channels accommodation providers you use, the more difficult it becomes to track the reservations and update prices manually. However, with the help of the hotel distribution channel system, a channel manager also takes away the pressure from property owners from managing inventory and distribution solely by them. Once someone books a room through an OTA, a channel manager receives and confirms the reservation and then marks it as occupied amongst every channel.

In conclusion, a channel manager is a crucial component of the multichannel inventory distribution strategy. One of the companies that provides the best solution is RateGain channel manager. It helps you manage prices, reservations, availability, revenue management solutions, guest data, and also manage content from just one place. Making it a one-stop solution for all your business needs.