Difference between revisions of "Category:Messaging"

This page explains how communication through the system can be customised.

Tip This wizard guides you though the options.

Tip Use the links to the sub pages at the bottom for more details.

1 Notifications to host

Host Notifications are the messages sent automatically to hosts when a new booking is made.

• Messages on new bookings, cancellation or modificationss can be sent via Email and SMS. By default host notifications are always sent by Email containing all important information. By default all messages are sent to the administrator EMail address which can be changed in (SETTINGS) >ACCOUNT->ACCOUNT ACCESS. You can set where these are sent to and add information or set up a second notification in (SETTINGS) ->ACCOUNT->HOST NOTIFICATIONS.
• You can set up push notification to Google Chrome or Apple notifications via Integromat ( (SETTINGS) -> APPS&INTEGRATIONS->INTEGROMAT).

Email communication is free of charge. For SMS an additional fee per message applies.

2 Communication with Guests

2.1 Email

• Confirmation Messages are the messages shown and sent to guests automatically after they have made a booking. Confirmation messages can be fully customised. Different messages can be sent for different booking types. They can be customised in (SETTINGS) ->GUEST MANAGEMENT->CONFIRMATION MESSAGES. Confirmation messages are automatically sent to all bookings made on your own web site but not for manually added bookings and bookings from channels which send their own confirmation (almost all channels) and do not require Beds24 to send an additional one (for example TripConnect, VRBO/Homeaway XML).

• Cancellation Messages are only sent from the system if you allow guests to cancel the booking themselves and for bookings from channels which do not send confirmations directly to the guest. The system messages are not customizable. If required you can set up an Auto Action Email which triggers automatically if a guest cancels.

• Auto Actions are pre canned Emails which can be sent to guests automatically at a pre set trigger time. Alternatively the can be set up for manual sending. They can use Template Variables to include information specific to the booking. Auto Action Emails can be set up in (SETTINGS) ->GUEST MANAGEMENT->AUTO ACTIONS.

Emails are sent in the language defined in the "Mail & Action" tab of the booking. For online bookings this is the language the guest used to book. If no language code is set the system uses the default language of the booking page which is set in (SETTINGS) ->BOOKING PAGE->INTERNATIONALIZATION.

2.2 SMS

In (SETTINGS) ->GUEST MANAGEMENT->AUTO ACTIONS you can set up manual and automated Auto Actions to send SMS messages to guests.

We can set a short alphanumeric code (max 11 char) that the guest sees as the sender of the message for a fee. This could be your trading name for example. The code will be set for the masteraccount (the account paying for the SMS) and apply to all subaccounts.

SMS can only be used to communicate Information about a current booking. For legal reasons you can not use SMS for marketing purposes including discounts or vouchers.

2.3 Messages via Guest Login

Guest can send you messages via the Guest Login. When a guest sends a new message via the guest login you will receive an Email notification which you can reply to via your email service.

2.4 Messages via WhatsApp

To send a WhatsApp message to guests click on the green icon next to the phone number in the "Summary" tab of the booking.

To use this service you need an account with WhatsApp and WhatsApp installed on the device you are logged in to.

2.5 Messages from OTAs

You can communicate with Airbnb, Booking.com and VRBO guest directly from Beds24. See the Airbnb, Booking.com and VRBO help pages for more information.

2.6 Languages

If you have activated multiple languages in (SETTINGS) ->BOOKING ENGINE->INTERNATIONALIZATION you can set templates in multiple languages. The language code from the "Mail & Actions" tab of the booking is used to determine which language Email correspondence is sent to the guest. Not all OTAs send language information. If you set "Deduce language from country" = Yes in (SETTINGS) ->CHANNEL MANAGER the system will try to deduce the language from the guests country if no language information is available.

As a service to the guest the content of the confirmation table and invoice table will always use the guests language even if it is not supported.

3 Email Addresses

By default Emails to guests are sent from Beds24.

If you do not want to use your own email address they will be sent from the system email address. To change your settings go to (SETTINGS) ->ACCOUNT->OUTGOING EMAIL. Sub accounts can be used to use different outgoing email addresses for multiple properties in one account.

4 Guest Login

If you have allowed guests to use the guest login in (SETTINGS) ->GUEST MANAGEMENT->GUEST LOGIN they can send messages to your Email address from there.

Email communication is free of charge. For SMS an additional fee per message applies.

5 Trouble Shooting

Some browsers block pop up email. If your email programme does not open when you want to manually send a confirmation message or auto action email you might need to change your browser settings.

Some email programmes limit the number of characters. If you want to manually send a confirmation message or auto action email you might need to shorten the message to accommodate the capabilities or your email system.