How Much Does a Direct Booking Site Cost?

In short: a booking widget can be embedded into an existing site and costs significantly less than a custom-developed engine. Always ask what is included and check for per-booking commissions.

Expected cost ranges

A website with a simple integrated booking form (widget) has much lower costs compared to a custom booking engine built from scratch, which can require thousands of euros in initial development plus ongoing maintenance.

What a basic booking widget includes

Availability calendar, contact or direct booking form, and synchronization with the property management panel: sufficient for most businesses that do not have particularly complex requirements.

When you really need custom development

Only properties with very specific needs (complex dynamic pricing, special integrations with external systems) justify the cost of custom development: for most businesses, a standard widget already covers the actual need.

The cost of having nothing

Not having any direct booking system on your site is not a zero-cost choice: it means losing every booking that would have come directly from the site to platforms with commissions instead—a continuous cost often higher than a widget's subscription fee.

Often forgotten maintenance costs

A custom-developed booking engine requires ongoing updates (security, compatibility with new devices): a recurring cost that must be budgeted from the start, whereas a widget included in a SaaS subscription typically covers maintenance within the fee itself.

How to evaluate if your site is technically ready

Before choosing a solution, check if your current site supports third-party widget integration (many sites built with modern builders allow this without issues): a very dated site or one built with obsolete technologies might require preliminary technical work before any widget can be integrated.

Frequently asked questions

What does a basic widget include?

Calendar, inquiry or direct booking capability, and panel synchronization. See the free widgets for your site.

How much do I save on commissions?

Calculate it with the Booking and Airbnb commission calculator.

Do I need a programmer?

Usually not: you just need to paste the code.

How do I try it out?

With a 14-day free trial. Discover the page for short-term rentals and B&Bs.

3 steps to take today

1. List your essential functions.
2. Ask for the total cost with and without commissions.
3. Test the widget on your site.