Ready To Grow Your Direct Bookings? Here Are 5 Steps To Skyrocket Your Direct Bookings With StayFi

If you’re an Airbnb or short-term rental host trying to crack the code on direct bookings, you’re not alone. The platforms are great for visibility, but those fees and algorithms? Not so great. That’s why so many hosts are turning to StayFi — and seeing big results.

We’re talking about doubling direct bookings, building a guest email list on autopilot, and giving guests a seamless, branded experience — all without expensive software or clunky manual work. If you’re serious about growing your short-term rental business, this tool is a game-changer.

Here are five easy ways to double your direct bookings using StayFi (and why now’s the time to start).

1. Use StayFi’s WiFi Splash Page to Capture Every Guest’s Info

Here’s the truth: Airbnb only gives you the booker’s email, not the other 3-5 guests who actually stay there. StayFi solves that with a custom-branded WiFi splash page. When guests connect to your WiFi, they’re prompted to enter their email and name — just like they do at a hotel or coffee shop.

The result? You can collect guest data automatically from every guest, not just the one who booked. This is one of the most powerful ways to grow your email list without doing extra work. Most hosts see about a 90% capture rate.

Personalize the splash page with your brand logo and a “Welcome to [Your Property Name]” message. It immediately gives your space a professional, polished feel.

Hot Tip: Speaking of your brand and logo, what are some of your brand standards? We provide a luxury coffee experience in all of our properties: it’s a non-negotiable for our brand. Consider some of the standards you value in your business. And, if you want to build the perfect coffee bar set-up, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered: Ultimate Airbnb Coffee Station.

2. Send a Branded Welcome Page That Drives Direct Booking Interest

Once your guest logs in to WiFi, they’re greeted with your branded homepage — a prime opportunity to plant the seed for a future direct booking.

Think of this as your personal mini-website. You can link to:

• Your direct booking site
• Social media
• Local recommendations
• Upsell offers (more on that in a second)

Some hosts are earning up to $200 more per booking just by using this page strategically. When guests see that you have your own “thing” outside of Airbnb, it builds trust and keeps your brand top of mind.

3. Use Guest Data to Follow Up Post-Stay (The Smart Way)

Email marketing is not just for giant companies — it’s one of the most effective and affordable ways to keep your past guests engaged.

Now that you have real guest emails (not masked Airbnb addresses), you can send:

• Thank you emails
• Seasonal promos or discounts
• Invitations to book direct next time
• Event-based messages (e.g. “We’d love to host you again for next summer’s festival!”)

StayFi integrates easily with email tools like Mailchimp, so once it’s set up, it basically runs in the background. Smart hosts automate a post-stay sequence that gently nudges guests to come back — and skip the OTA fees.

4. Promote Upsells Before Check-In With Pre-Arrival Guest Pages

This is one of StayFi’s more underrated features, and it’s a secret weapon for increasing revenue while also improving the guest experience.

StayFi lets you create a custom landing page that guests can access pre-arrival. Here, you can:

• Offer upsells (early check-in, late check-out, ATV rentals, private chef services, etc.)
• Share your guidebook or check-in instructions
• Answer FAQs ahead of time (cutting down on messages)
• Highlight any special offers for booking direct next time

You’re not just streamlining communication — you’re earning more and building that “wow” factor that leads to repeat bookings.

Another secret weapon in our STR business? The Forgot Something Basket. This simple to make amenity is mentioned in 100s of our 5-star reviews. Grab our FREE Forgot Something Basket Guide right here.

5. Connect StayFi to Your PMS for a Seamless Setup

If you’re already using a Property Management System (PMS) like Hostfully (our personal favorite!), integrating StayFi is incredibly easy. Your properties sync directly, so setup is simple and scalable — even if you’re managing multiple listings.

With your PMS handling bookings and StayFi handling guest data and marketing, you’ve got a powerhouse system working for you — without needing a full-time team or complex tech.

Why StayFi is a Must for Modern Hosts

It’s not enough to be a great host anymore. To really grow, you need systems that do the heavy lifting while you sleep — and StayFi is exactly that.

Here’s a quick recap of what it does for you:

• Collects guest emails through WiFi login
• Shows guests your branded homepage
• Helps you send follow-up emails that drive repeat bookings
• Offers pre-arrival upsells to boost revenue
• Seamlessly integrates with your PMS

Whether you manage one property or a dozen, StayFi gives you a professional edge — and it pays for itself quickly.

Ready to See How StayFi Can Work for Your Business?

We always recommend tools that we use and love in our own hosting business. If you’re ready to level up your direct bookings, we highly suggest you book a demo with StayFi here. Their team is amazing, the setup is easy, and you’ll be shocked at how fast it makes a difference. And, our TFV audience gets 50% off the first 3 months.

Trust us — once you see how effortless it is to build your guest list and drive repeat business, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.

Calling All Hosts: The Hosting Handbook

If you loved this post we invite you to check out our one-stop-shop solution for hosts everywhere —the Hosting Handbook! While you can download all the easy to consume, step-by-step tips we use in our own hosting business and create the ultimate “book” the Hosting Handbook is so much more than that! If you’ve consumed or content for years (or just met us!) this is the reference guide for all the amazing and tactical tips we have for running a profitable and, more importantly hospitable, short-term rental. How do we price for pets? How do we fold our towels? What sheets do we buy? How do I purchase a short-term rental? All these questions (and more!) can be answered in the Hosting Handbook! Check it out now!

Happy hosting!

P.S. We’ve rounded up all of our Airbnb Hosting Must-Haves right here in our Amazon Store. Click here to grab everything you need to curate your property and start earning 5-star reviews.