Hey there, we’re really glad you’re on track to invest in technology for your small property. It definitely is the best way to run your business efficiently and successfully. 

When it comes to choosing the right fit for your property, think carefully about what you want to achieve.

Do you want to:

  • Delight guests?
  • Gain a snapshot overview of room statuses?
  • Improve your reach and increase bookings?
  • Find a ‘value for money’ solution?
  • Improve management and reduce errors?
  • Make easy updates, add notes, and keep track of your schedule?
  • Win more direct reservations?
  • Be mobile friendly?

Hopefully it’s all of the above and more! 

Choose a solution that can cover all your bases by helping you streamline your housekeeping, personalise the guest experience, and make the overall management of your property much smoother.

Being able to try for free is also non-negotiable. You shouldn’t have to pay for a software solution without first being sure it’s the best thing for your business. A no-contract free period allows you to enjoy and assess the software at no risk, so you can make a confident decision either way when the trial period is over.

Ask plenty of questions of the provider you’re considering. Quality brands should never fear or shy away from questions.

What to consider when selecting the best hotel management software

There are many factors to weigh up when selecting which hotel management software is right for your property. You need to identify exactly what you want, noting key traits that are must-haves.

It might help to look at these considerations:

  • Is it more than a front desk?

An all-in-one solution that includes a channel manager and booking engine is by far the best option for small hotels.

  • Is pricing flexible?

You don’t want to sign onto a product that has lock-in contracts or rigid fees. The individual nature of your property should be taken into account when it comes to billing.

  • Is the customer support.. supportive?

When you need help you’re going to need it quickly which means local support in your timezone and language is really important. A customer knowledge base is also vital.

  • Are reviews promising?

The words of current or past users carry a lot of water and knowing if people have been happy with their experience should be a significant indicator for you when deciding on your provider.

What all-in-one front desk system features do small hotels need?

Before thinking about features, think about the big picture. The reason you would consider investing in a front desk system is that it will save you time and increase your revenue. All of the features it has need to contribute to those overarching goals.

#1 Simplifies front-desk management

Your front desk system should give you all the tools you need to be totally organised in running your small property.

#2 Lets you escape the front desk

Your front desk system should be accessible wherever you are, through any device. This means it should be cloud-based. 

#3 Manages booking sites effortlessly

If you don’t have a system that distributes your rooms in an organised way, you run the risk of double booking your rooms – resulting in unhappy customers, negative reviews, lost revenue, and even more wasted time trying to rectify the situation. This is why your front desk system should also be your small hotel’s channel manager. 

#4 Manages guest communications

Your front desk system must make it easy for you to communicate with your guests in a structured way. This means that you can send pre and post arrival emails, and customise each email template to match your brand’s look and feel.

#5 Increases revenue per customer

In addition to working on getting more guests, you should also work on increasing revenue from each guest.

Your front desk system should allow you to package, add, and customise extras for guests to purchase such as wine upon arrival or next-day breakfast. 

#6 Helps you measure and improve

Unlike large hotel chains, your budget may be limited. Without advanced reporting, you won’t be able to see which promotions or channels are performing the best, or what your competitor’s rates are.

We hope this is a good checklist for you and helps you pick the right technology solution for your business!

By Dean Elphick

Dean is the Senior Content Marketing Specialist of Little Hotelier, the all-in-one software solution purpose-built to make the lives of small accommodation providers easier. Dean has made writing and creating content his passion for the entirety of his professional life, which includes more than six years at Little Hotelier. Through content, Dean aims to provide education, inspiration, assistance, and, ultimately, value for small accommodation businesses looking to improve the way they run their operations (and live their life).