QR codes are a powerful tool for driving direct bookings in your vacation rental properties. By strategically placing these codes in your units, you can seamlessly guide guests to your direct booking site and social media, increasing repeat bookings and referrals.
Why Use QR Codes for Direct Bookings?
QR codes provide an effortless way for guests to:
Access your direct booking website instantly
Follow your social media profiles
Share your property with friends and family
Book future stays without going through OTA platforms
Creating Your QR Codes
Important Note: Hospitable does not provide QR code generation services. However, there are many free online tools available to create professional QR codes.
Recommended QR Code Generators
Free Options:
Canva - Offers customizable QR code designs that match your brand
Google QR Code Generator
Adobe Express
What to Link Your QR Codes To
Primary QR Code - Direct Booking Site:
Link directly to your Hospitable direct booking website
Ensure the link goes to your custom domain for brand recognition
Test the link regularly to ensure it's working
Secondary QR Code - Social Media:
Link to your Instagram business page
Include a call-to-action encouraging guests to follow and share
Use this to build your social media presence for future marketing
Strategic QR Code Placement
High-Impact Locations
Inside the Unit:
Back of the front door - Guests see this when leaving
Refrigerator - High-visibility area guests visit frequently
Coffee station - Natural gathering spot
Checkout instructions area - When guests are planning future stays
Size and Format:
Use 8.5" x 11" printed materials for maximum visibility
Include both text instructions and QR codes
Make codes large enough to scan easily (minimum 1" x 1")
Design Best Practices
Essential Elements:
Clear heading: "Book Direct & Save" or "Follow Us for Special Deals"
Instructions: "Scan with your phone's camera"
Value proposition: Mention savings, exclusive offers, or perks
Your brand/property name for recognition
Sample Layout:
📱 BOOK YOUR NEXT STAY DIRECT & SAVE!
[QR Code Here]
Scan to visit [Your Property Name].com
✓ Best rates guaranteed
✓ No booking fees
✓ Direct communication with host
---
📸 FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
[QR Code Here]
Share your stay and tag us!
@[your_instagram_handle]
Compliance and Best Practices
⚠️ Critical Warning: Always follow the off-platform booking policies of whatever platform you're listed on (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.).
Key Compliance Guidelines
Do:
Use QR codes for future bookings and social media engagement
Focus on building your brand and guest relationships
Provide value through direct booking incentives
Be transparent about your direct booking option
Don't:
Try to move existing bookings off-platform
Encourage guests to cancel current reservations to rebook Direct
Violate any platform's terms of service
Make direct booking the only option for current guests
Maximizing QR Code Effectiveness
Social Media Strategy
Instagram Business Page Setup:
Create a professional Instagram business account
Use consistent branding across all materials
Post high-quality photos of your property
Engage with guests who tag your location
Share guest posts and reviews (with permission)
If You're Not Tech-Savvy:
Consider hiring a social media strategist through Upwork
Many professionals can set up your accounts affordably
They can create initial content and hand over login details
Budget-friendly option to get started professionally
Email Collection Integration
Combine QR codes with email marketing:
Include a newsletter signup on your direct booking site
Offer exclusive deals for email subscribers
Send follow-up emails 10 months after stays to encourage rebooking
Use tools like Stayfi (free for up to 200 contacts) for automation
Group Bookings and Referrals
QR codes work exceptionally well for group events:
Wedding Groups:
Guests often need multiple accommodations
QR codes make it easy to share your other properties
Consider offering referral incentives via Promo Codes
Sports Tournaments:
Teams and families need nearby lodging
QR codes enable quick sharing among group members
Perfect for showcasing your property portfolio
Measuring Success
Track These Metrics:
QR code scans (using analytics from your generator)
Direct website traffic increases
Social media follower growth
Email subscriber growth
Direct booking conversion rates
Monthly Review:
Check QR code placement and condition
Update links if needed
Refresh design seasonally
Analyze which codes perform best
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using low-quality, hard-to-scan codes
✅ Use high-resolution codes with proper contrast
❌ Placing codes in hard-to-find locations
✅ Put them where guests naturally look
❌ Not testing codes regularly
✅ Scan your own codes monthly to ensure they work
❌ Overwhelming guests with too many codes
✅ Limit to 2-3 strategically placed codes maximum
❌ Forgetting to update codes when URLs change
✅ Keep a record of all QR code destinations
Getting Started Today
Quick Action Steps:
Create your QR codes using Canva or another free tool
Design and print your 8.5" x 11" promotional materials
Place strategically in high-traffic areas of your rental
Test the scanning experience from a guest's perspective
Monitor performance and adjust placement as needed
Learn More
For comprehensive training on maximizing your direct booking strategy, watch our complete Direct Booking Power-up workshop:
This detailed session covers everything from setting up your direct booking site to advanced marketing strategies for growing your direct booking revenue.