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Do the initial Setup

569 bytes removed, 11 April
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.
There is context sensitive help throughout our system. If you are stuck, click on the '''?''' icons. You can also use this [[Main Page|Wiki]] for help.''' *We provide a range of [[videos|video tutorials]]. There is also a [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxiq-bz-RFGEbM44Yk4SYmGt09UISNzEw&si=kgIZPd_ekiExQGk0 Youtube playlist].
*There are recordings of previous [https://wiki.beds24.com/index.php/Webinars webinars] and webinar announcements.
*We recommend you You can let our [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 help you set your account up. Send us a support ticket from the SUPPORT button at the top if you want to book a session.
<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 this setting to other rooms or properties.
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== 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:#007bff;“>{{#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.
= Terminology ='''Properties''' can be Hotels, Hostels, B&B´s, holiday houses, If you rent your property as a whole because it is a vacation rentals, apartment houses, camp sites. You can have rental you will still need one properties or multiple properties of different typesroom which is what the guest books.
A property can have only one room (a vacation rental) or very many a number of different rooms'''room types''' or '''categories''' (a hotel, B&B, hostel, aparthotel).
Each room or room type/category can have ''multiple inventories'Rooms''' are a way of splitting your property into separately bookable units. Rooms can, but do not need to, represent ''physical'' rooms.
They === Multiple Properties or Rooms ===If you are rented units iusing the channel manager we advise to set the booking system up as similar as your booking channels.eIf your lodgings have different hotel/property codes for Booking. bedrooms com etc. then they must be setup as different properties in a hotel or B&B, vacation rentals, holiday homes, beds in hostel dormitories, camp sites, houseboats, cabins, tours, classes or cars etcBeds24 so you can connect them.
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 =
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 are using the channel manager we advise 're renting your property as a whole, you still need to set the booking system up as similar as define one "Room" which in your booking channels. If case represents your lodgings have different hotel/complete property codes for Booking.com etc. then they must be setup as different properties in the system.
==Hotels, B&B´s. hostels==Hotels, B&B´s and inns are usually set up as one property with a number of rooms. If you your rentals have several independent lodgings edifferent hotel/property codes for Booking.gcom etc. apartments or villas you can still set them up then they must be setup 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 rulesdifferent 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 propertyFor further information see [[Agency_%26_Multiple_Property_Setup|here]].
If your rentals have different hotel/property codes for Booking.com etc. then they must be setup as different properties in the system'''Hotels, B&B´s.hostels'''
For further information see [[Agency_%26_Multiple_Property_Setup|here]]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)
*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''' - Property Create properties and Room Set Uprooms==
You can import properties and rooms or create them manually.
===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.
<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 2''' - 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)
*Fixed Prices
<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].
<embedvideo service="youtube">https://wwwyoutu.youtube.combe/watch?v=iFht8sLJg9gE4TYnrHwnDA</embedvideo>
'''Fixed Prices'''
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.
Use Fixed Prices instead of 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
<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} </span> Rules in Fixed Prices have no effect on daily prices.
== '''Step 4''' - Enter existing Bookings==To avoid double bookings it is advisable to enter the bookings you already have.  *For Booking.com, Airbnb and Expedia we have the option to automatically import all upcoming bookings. We recommend to use this method because for bookings imported directly from Booking.com we will then be able to automatically import changes. You can use this function when the channel manager is set up but not activated. The button is available in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER->AIRBNB/BOOKING.COM/EXPEDIA. *Other bookings can be uploaded as a .csv file from in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES. *To manually add or blocked dates click on the suitcase icon in the CALENDAR or on "Add Booking" at the top. *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 5''' - 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 65''' - Set up the Channel Manager (optional)==
Set up the [[:Category:Channel_Manager| channel manager]] to synchronise your sales channels.
Here some short example videos. For detailed instructions see:
*[[Airbnb_Mapping| How to connect Airbnb]]*[[Booking.com:_Synchronise_bookings_prices_availability | How to connect Booking.com to sync prices and availability]]*[[Expedia_Mapping | How to connect Expedia to sync prices and availability]]*[[VRBO_Setup | How to connect to Vrbo]]*[[:Category:Channel_Manager| List of all channels with link to detailed setup instructions]]
[[Booking.com<embedvideo service="youtube">https:_Synchronise_bookings_prices_availability | How to connect Booking//youtu.com to sync prices and availability]]be/_KORtELJyNk</embedvideo>
[[Expedia_Mapping | How == '''Step 6''' - Enter existing bookings==To avoid double bookings it is advisable to connect Expedia to sync prices and availability]]enter the bookings you already have.
[[VRBO_Setup | How *For Booking.com, Airbnb and Expedia we have the option to connect automatically import all upcoming bookings. We recommend to Vrbo]]use this method because for bookings imported directly from Booking.com we will then be able to automatically import changes. You can use this function when the channel manager is set up but not activated. The button is available in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER->AIRBNB/BOOKING.COM/EXPEDIA.
[[*Other bookings can be uploaded as a .csv file from in {{#fas:Category:Channel_Manager| List of all channels with link to detailed setup instructions]]cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES.
<embedvideo service=*To manually add or blocked dates click on the suitcase icon in the CALENDAR or on "youtubeAdd Booking">https://youtuat the top.be/_KORtELJyNk</embedvideo>
== *If you do not need the actual booking you can adjust the availability in the CALENDAR in the row "Inventory". '''Step 7''' - The number shows Use rooms remaining to sell. They can be edited to quickly change your own Eavailability. Double-mail address click to open a pop-up and save the changes. (optional)== Set it is only possible to lower the number based on the system [[Outgoing_Email|use your own Email address for sending]] value in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES > ACCOUNT ROOMS >OUTGOING EMAILSETUP "Quantity of this type" and any existing bookings).
Using your own E== '''Step 7''' -mail address is mandatory if you want Automate messaging and processes==Go to use Auto Actions {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > GUEST MANAGEMENT > AUTO ACTIONS to automate work flows. *set up messaging templates for automatic and manual sending*automatically perform modifications on bookings based on predefined criteria
== '''Step 8''' - Check Customize and Customise your Booking Pageconnect the booking engine for commission free direct bookings (optional)==
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 working: 1. Your own web siteClick on the screen icon in the top right menu of the control panel or go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > BOOKING ENGINE to view your booking page and make a couple of test bookings.  The 'Price Check' tool shows 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 the 'Price Check' tool on the CALENDAR and SUPPORT pages. 2. ChannelsChannels which receive prices from Beds24:Go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > CHANNEL MANAGER >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 Guests who book directly will be added automatically. You can also enter new bookings manually clicking on "Add Booking" on the BOOKINGS page. = More customisation options=*customise the [[Responsive_Booking_Page|look of your booking page to suit your web site]] in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > BOOKING ENGINE.*customise the [receive a [:category:Confirmation_Messages|booking confirmations to guestsconfirmation message]] which you can customise the [ in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > GUEST MANAGEMENT > CONFIRMATION MESSAGES.*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.
= 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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