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Do the initial Setup

2,000 bytes added, 13 May
This page explains how to set up your account
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=What you should know and do before getting started=
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This self-setup guide assists you through your initial setup. Beds24 is designed as a self-service system so you can set up and change all functions yourself at any time.
= Set Up There is context sensitive help throughout our system. If you are stuck, click on the <span style=You're now only a few steps away from accepting on"color:#019cde;“ >{{#far:question-line bookingscircle}} </span> icons. We provide plenty of support tools which will You can also use this [[Main Page|Wiki]] for help you during the set up process.
*We provide a range of [[videos|video tutorials]]. There is context sensitive help throughout our systemalso a [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxiq-bz-RFGEbM44Yk4SYmGt09UISNzEw&si=kgIZPd_ekiExQGk0 Youtube playlist]. If you *There are stuck, click on the '''?''' iconsrecordings of previous [https://wiki.beds24.com/index.php/Webinars webinars] and webinar announcements. *You can also use this let our [[Main Page|Wiki]http://beds24.com/wizard/index.php Setup Wizards] guide you through the set up process.*We also offer online training sessions for a fee in which we helpyou set your account up. Send us a support ticket from the SUPPORT button at the top if you want to book a session. *The number format in the Control Panel is the English number format, i.e. decimal places are separated by a full stop (not a comma).'''
We provide a range <span class="" style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;" >Tip</span> Where you see this <span class="" style=color:#008ACC;“>{{#fas:copy}}</span> icon you can click and then copy the value of [[videos|video tutorials]]this setting to other rooms or properties.</div>== Properties and Rooms =='''Properties''' can be Hotels, Hostels, B&B´s, holiday houses, vacation rentals, apartment houses, camp sites. You can have one properties or multiple properties of different types.
<span class="" style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;" >Tip</span> '''Rooms''' are a way of splitting your property into separately bookable units. Where you see this <span class="" style="color: #c7c7c7;" >{{#fas:copy}}</span> icon you Rooms can click and then copy the value of this setting , but do not need to other , represent ''physical'' rooms . They are a way of splitting up a property into separately bookable sections i.e. bedrooms in a hotel or B&B, vacation rentals, holiday homes, beds in hostel dormitories, camp sites, houseboats, cabins, tours, classes or propertiescars etc.
<span class="" style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;" >Tip</span> We recommend If you let our [http://beds24.com/wizard/index.php Setup Wizards] guide rent your property as a whole because it is a vacation rental you through will still need one room which is what the set up processguest books.
= Terminology =A property can have only one room (a vacation rental) or a number of different '''room types''' or '''Propertiescategories''' can be Hotels, Hostels(a hotel, B&B´s, holiday houses, vacation rentalsB, apartment houseshostel, camp sites. You can have one properties or multiple properties of different typesaparthotel).
A property Each room or room type/category can have only one or very many different rooms.  '''Rooms''' are a way of splitting your property into separately bookable units. Rooms can, but do not need to, represent multiple inventories''physical'' rooms. They are rented units i.e. bedrooms in a hotel or B&B, vacation rentals, holiday homes, beds in hostel dormitories, camp sites, houseboats, cabins, tours, classes or cars etc.
<embedvideo service="youtube">https://youtu.be/Jd6mFFWhpRE</embedvideo>
An '''Offer''' is the price combined with certain conditions. Each room/unit has one or more offers. "Offer 1" is your standard offer to the guest which is always displayed. === Multiple Properties or Rooms ==Hotels, B&B´s and inns If you are usually using the channel manager we advise to set the booking system up as one property with a number of roomssimilar as your booking channels. If you your lodgings have several independent lodgings edifferent hotel/property codes for Booking.gcom etc. apartments or villas then they must be setup as different properties in Beds24 so you can still set connect them up as rooms if it suits your marketing strategy. Each room (which can also be an apartment, house etc) can have its own pricing and booking rules.
Making different properties means each can have it's own property booking page (if required with individual design). You can also use a multiple property booking page with advanced search functions (e.g. facilities, location) showing all properties.
'''Vacation rentals'''
If you're renting your property as a whole, you still need to define one "Room" which in your case represents your complete property.
If you are using the channel manager we advise to set the booking system up as similar as your booking channels. If your lodgings rentals have different hotel/property codes for bookingBooking.com etc. then they must be setup as different individual properties in the system.
For further information see [[Agency_%26_Multiple_Property_Setup|here]].
'''Hotels, B&B´s. hostels''' Hotels, B&B´s and inns are usually set up as one property with a number of rooms. or room types. If you have several independent lodgings e.g. apartments or villas you can still set them up as rooms if it suits your marketing strategy. Each room (which can also be an apartment, house etc) can have its own pricing and booking rules. = Step by Step Guide Setup =
== '''Step 1''' - General Account Settings ==
Click on {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS)> ACCOUNT and complete your details === '''CONTROL PANEL''' ===*To setup the look of your Control Panel go to ACCOUNT > PREFERENCES and check the settings for your account Control Panel.  <span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}}</span> Most of the settings can be left with the default value, for more information on each setting, use (?) for the context help. === '''OUTGOING EMAIL''' ===If you want to send Emails from Beds24, then you need to setup your outgoing email.  *Go to ACCOUNT > OUTGOING EMAIL and for instructions please use the context help (? icons) and click on HELP (? icon right) of this page. === '''HOST NOTIFICATIONS'''=== By default Email notifications about new bookings and system notifications are sent to the Administrator Email address from SETTINGS -> ACCOUNT ACCESS. If you have multiple properties you can set SETTINGS -> ACCOUNT -> HOST NOTIFICATIONS > Booking notification emails sent to"=Administrator and Cc: Property' to send a copy of the confirmation to the property. The Email address used is the one entered in SETTINGS-> PROPERTIES-> DESCRIPTION
*Go System notifications are error messages, answers to ACCOUNT support tickets and complete your detailsother messages which are not directly related to a booking.
*If We recommend you want to use a language other than English on your booking page, go different Email addresses to ' {{#fas:cog}} send and receive because some Email programmes (SETTINGSi.E. gmail) BOOKING ENGINE > INTERNATIONALIZATION and tick hide incoming Email if they are from the ones you want to use. If you enable more than one language you will see tabs for each language in your descriptions, information on your booking page and notifications. Descriptions have to be entered in each language tabsame Email address.
<embedvideo service="youtube">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nNidEDdm4w</embedvideo>
=== '''Step 2BOOKING PAGE LANGUAGES''' - Property and Room Set Up==By default each Beds24 account has one property with a room and a price. =
*If you want to use a language other than English on your booking page, go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) BOOKING ENGINE > INTERNATIONALIZATION and tick the ones you want to use. If you enable more than one language you will see tabs for each language in your descriptions, information on your booking page and notifications. Descriptions have to be entered in each language tab. == '''Step 2''' - Create properties and rooms==You can import additional properties and rooms or create them manually. <embedvideo service="youtube">https://youtu.be/CsjMXF2vzEs</embedvideo>
===Import from Airbnb===
If you have a listing on Airbnb you can import it and create a new property with a new room or add a room in a property you already have in Beds24. Click [[Connect_Airbnb_Account|here]] for instructions.
 
[[File:Airbnb_import_listing.mp4|640px]]
===Import from Booking.com===
===Manual creation ===
==== '''Step 1''' - Create Propertyproperties====
*Properties and be added in '{{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES
*After you have added a property go to '{{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES > DESCRIPTION and complete your property information
[[File:Property_and_Room_Setup.mp4|640px]]
==== '''Step 2''' - Define Rooms and Offers Create rooms====
*To set rooms up go to '{{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES > ROOMS . A click on '''EDIT''' will open a field where you can set the name and quantity of "Rooms" of that type available.
An offer is the price combined with certain conditions. Each room/unit has one or more offers. "Offer 1" is your standard offer to the guest which is always displayed.
You have the option to sell a room with different prices eg. packages, promotions or discounted conditional ratesprices. Each offer can have its own "Booking Type".
<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}}</span> If you copy a room all settings will be automatically applied to the copy. If you want to link prices between different rooms remove the prices before you copy the rooms.
 
==== '''Step 3''' - Customize and add offers (optional)====
An '''Offer''' is the price combined with certain conditions. Each room/unit has one or more offers. "Offer 1" is your standard offer to the guest which is always displayed.
== '''Step 3''' - Create prices ==
If you have several rooms with a similar pricing structure you can "link" prices with or without offsets to multiple rooms.
The system Beds24 has two types of prices:
*Daily Prices (recommended)
*RatesFixed Prices
This [https://beds24.com/wizard/wizard3.php setup wizard] guides you though the setup.
<span class="" style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> Click on the "Price Check" button on the CALENDAR or SUPPORT page then on "Calculate" to find our why you have not price or how a price is calculated.
'''Daily Prices (recommended)'''
'''Daily Prices'''are prices for one date. Daily prices are easy to manage and are the best choice for most customers. Multiple prices per date can be defined for example for different minimum stays or different offers. Please find more information on the help page for [https://wiki.beds24.com/index.php/Category:Daily_Prices daily prices].
Daily Prices are prices for one date. Daily prices are easy to manage and are the best choice for most customers. Multiple prices per date can be defined for example for different minimum stays or different offers. Please find more information on the help page for [<embedvideo service="youtube">https://wikiyoutu.beds24.combe/index.phpE4TYnrHwnDA</Category:Daily_Prices daily prices].embedvideo>
<embedvideo service="youtube">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFht8sLJg9g</embedvideo>'''Fixed Prices'''
'''Rates'''Fixed Prices have a start and end date so they apply to a range of dates. Fixed Prices contain many rules about the conditions that must apply to make them available.
Rates have a start and end date so they apply to a range of dates. Rates contain many rules about the conditions which must apply to make them available.  Use rates Fixed Prices instead of daily Daily pricesonly:
*If your prices are fixed ahead and you do not want to adjust them and you have none or few seasons
*If you want to allow guest to enquire when no price can be found but the room is not fully booked
*If you want to grant referrer discounts
Please find more information on the help page for [https://wiki.beds24.com/index.php/Category:Rates ratesFixed_Prices Fixed Prices]. '''Combination of Daily Prices and Fixed Prices''' <span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} </span> If you use Fixed Prices you do not need to set up Daily Prices for every day. If required you can use a Daily Price to adjust the prices for an individual date or date range. *You can use Daily Prices to override the Fixed Price for a few individual dates. If you often adjust prices use Daily Prices only.*You can add a Gap Filler to fill gaps when using daily prices with minimum stays required <span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} </span> Rules in Fixed Prices have no effect on daily prices. == '''Step 4''' - Set up payment collection (optional)==You need to connect a payment processor to automatically [[:Category:Payments|collect payments]] in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) >PAYMENTS > PAYMENT COLLECTION. [[Stripe|Stripe]] is our preferred partner which offers the best functionality. == '''Step 5''' - Set up the Channel Manager (optional)==Set up the [[:Category:Channel_Manager| channel manager]] to synchronise your sales channels.
'''Combination of Daily Prices and Rates'''Here some short example videos. For detailed instructions see:
<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas*[[Airbnb_Mapping| How to connect Airbnb]]*[[Booking.com:exclamation-triangle}} </span> If you use rates you do not need _Synchronise_bookings_prices_availability | How to set up Daily Prices for every dayconnect Booking. If required you can use a Daily Price com to sync prices and availability]]*[[Expedia_Mapping | How to connect Expedia to adjust the sync prices for an individual date or date range.and availability]]*[[VRBO_Setup | How to connect to Vrbo]]*[[:Category:Channel_Manager| List of all channels with link to detailed setup instructions]]
*You can use Daily Prices to override the a rate for a few individual dates<embedvideo service="youtube">https://youtu. If you you often adjust prices use Daily Prices only.*You can add a gap fill rate to fill gaps when using daily prices with minimum stays is requiredbe/_KORtELJyNk</embedvideo>
<span styleembedvideo service="color:#fe746c;“ youtube">{{#fashttps:exclamation-triangle}} //youtu.be/rsqRWgawcWU</spanembedvideo> Rules in rates have no effect on daily prices.
== '''Step 46''' - Enter existing Bookingsbookings==
To avoid double bookings it is advisable to enter the bookings you already have.
*If you do not need the actual booking you can adjust the availability in the CALENDAR in the row "Inventory". The number shows rooms remaining to sell. They can be edited to quickly change your availability. Double-click to open a pop-up and save the changes. (it is only possible to lower the number based on the value in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES > ROOMS > SETUP "Quantity of this type" and any existing bookings).
== '''Step 57''' - Set up payment collection (optional)Automate messaging and processes==You need to connect a payment processor Go to automatically [[:Category:Payments|collect payments]] in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) >PAYMENTS GUEST MANAGEMENT > PAYMENT COLLECTION. [[Stripe|Stripe]] is our preferred partner which offers the best functionality.AUTO ACTIONS to *set up messaging templates for automatic and manual sending*automatically perform modifications on bookings based on predefined criteria
== '''Step 68''' - Set up Customize and connect the Channel Manager (optional)==Set up the [[:Category:Channel_Manager| channel manager]] to synchronise your sales channels. == '''Step 7''' - Use your own E-mail address booking engine for commission free direct bookings (optional)== Set the system [[Outgoing_Email|use your own Email address for sending]] in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > ACCOUNT >OUTGOING EMAIL.  Using your own E-mail address is mandatory if you want to use Auto Actions to automate work flows.  == '''Step 8''' - Check and Customise your Booking Page==
Go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) BOOKING ENGINE.
You have the option to fully customise the look and the content of your booking page. For an overview of your options please go to [[Customise Booking Page]].
== '''Step 9''' - Install a Booking Widget ==
Booking widgets connect your website to your booking page. There is a choice including booking buttons, booking boxes, booking strips, calendars. Go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > BOOKING ENGINE > BOOKING WIDGETS. Choose the widget you want to use. If required you can customise the appearance. If you need help please click on the HELP button on the top rights of the widgets page.
Copy your widget to your website. To install the booking widgets on your web site you will need the ability to edit the HTML of your page. This may involve knowing the passwords for your web server and the ability to transfer your files. Your web hosting service should be able to provide information and assist you with this.
== '''Step 10''' - Do some test bookings to check everything is working== This is how you can check everything is workingGuests who book directly will automatically receive a [1. Your own web siteClick on the screen icon in the top right menu of the control panel or go to {{#fascategory:cog}} (SETTINGS) Confirmation_Messages|confirmation message]] > BOOKING ENGINE to view your booking page and make a couple of test bookings.  The 'Price Check' tool shows which you which prices and rules apply for specific dates//selections and why a certain price or rule was applied or not applied. Just enter your booking condition then click on 'Calculate'. You can find links to customise the 'Price Check' tool on the RATES, CALENDAR and SUPPORT pages. 2. ChannelsChannels which receive prices from Beds24:Go to [ in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > CHANNEL MANAGER GUEST MANAGEMENT >BOOKING.COM (for example) and click on 'View Actual Data' to check what we are sending. If you are not seeing and are not receiving error messages and the display on channels page is correct the connection is working. Channels which only receive inventory from Beds24:Check if the availability on the channels website is the same as on the CALENDAR page in Beds24. '''Congratulations! You are now receiving on-line bookings.''' New on-line bookings will be added automatically. You can also enter new bookings manually clicking on "Add Booking" on the BOOKINGS pageCONFIRMATION MESSAGES.
= More customisation options=*customise '''Step 9''' - Download the [[Responsive_Booking_Page|look of your booking page to suit your web site]] in {{#fas:cog}} free Beds24 app(SETTINGSoptional) > BOOKING ENGINE.==*customise Our free App for IOS and Android is there to help you with daily tasks which might need to be done while away from the [[:category:Confirmation_Messages|booking confirmations to guests]] in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > GUEST MANAGEMENT > CONFIRMATION MESSAGESdesk.*customise the display of the [[:category:CalendarMobile_App_Android_and_IOS| control panel CALENDAR]] page in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > ACCOUNT > PREFERENCES. *customise More information about the display of the [[Preferences|control panelapp]] in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > ACCOUNT > PREFERENCES.
= Other Features More functions and Functions options=*Customise the display of the [[:category:Calendar| control panel CALENDAR]] page in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > ACCOUNT > PREFERENCES. *Customise the display of the [[Preferences|control panel]] in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > ACCOUNT > PREFERENCES.*When you click on FUNCTIONS in SUPPORT you will see links to the menu pages of key features and functions or check the start page of this support wiki.
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