Common Beginner Mistakes When Choosing a Booking Platform

While budget considerations are important, selecting a platform solely based on having the lowest fees or monthly cost can lead to limitations in essential functionality. The least expensive option may lack critical features that could save you significant time and effort in the long run.

How to avoid this mistake: Evaluate platforms based on the value they provide rather than just the cost. Consider how much time each platform might save you and what features are essential for your specific needs.

Smoobu addresses this concern by offering tiered plans that allow users to start with basic features and scale up as needed, providing clear information about what functionality is included at each level.

Many property managers list their properties on multiple booking channels (like Airbnb, Booking.com, or Expedia). Not checking whether a platform integrates well with all your preferred channels can result in manual work and potential double bookings.

How to avoid this mistake: Before committing to a platform, verify that it offers reliable two-way synchronization with all the booking channels you use or plan to use.

Smoobu's channel manager connects with over 50 booking platforms, ensuring wide compatibility for most hosts. Their system is designed to prevent double bookings through real-time calendar updates.

As your property portfolio grows, your management needs will evolve. A platform that works well for one property might become cumbersome when managing ten or more. Not considering future growth can lead to the need to migrate to another system later.

How to avoid this mistake: Consider your growth plans and evaluate whether the platform can accommodate additional properties and more complex management needs.

Smoobu's design accommodates both single-property hosts and managers with multiple listings. The interface remains organized and navigable even as more properties are added to the account.

Some platforms offer extensive features but with a steep learning curve. If a system is too complex to use efficiently, many of its advanced capabilities may go unused, and you might spend excessive time on platform management.

How to avoid this mistake: Request demos or trial periods to experience the user interface firsthand. Consider how intuitive the platform feels and whether you can accomplish common tasks without extensive training.

Smoobu emphasizes user experience with a clean, intuitive dashboard design. Their system organizes information logically, making it accessible even for users with limited technical experience.