Changes

=Receive direct bookings from Google=As official Google partner Beds24 can distribute your direct prices and inventory to Google. *You get a direct connection to Google with the best rate coverage and real time prices
*Display your direct prices and availability on Google Search and Maps
 Depending on the type of property you can either use Google Hotel Ads or Google for Vacation Rentals. =For Vacation Rental Properties: Commission free bookings from Google for Vacation Rentals===What is Google for Vacation Rentals and how does it work ==Google will create a vacation rental listing from the pictures (minimum requirement is 8 pictures), prices and availability and descriptions, sent from Beds24 with a direct booking link to your Beds24 booking page.  Google will display your property and live prices and availability if they meet the guests search criteria and the guest can then book directly on the Beds24 booking page.  <span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> Google does not charge any commission for bookings made via Google for Vacation Rentals.  [[Image:GoogleVR.png|450px|link=]][[Media:GoogleVR.png|view large]] [[Image:GoogleVR1.png|450px|link=]][[Media:GoogleVR1.png|view large]] [[Image:GoogleVR2.png|450px|link=]][[Media:GoogleVR2.png|view large]] ==Google for Vacation Rentals Setup=='''Step 1: Select Google for Vacation Rentals'''  Set Google Product to*"Google for Vacation Rentals (List Rooms)" if you want to send the room content to Google or if you have multiple rooms in a property and want to connect more than one room. With this setting the names from {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES > ROOMS > DESCRIPTION and the room pictures will send. If you do not have room pictures the offer pictures will send. If you do not have room pictures or offer pictures the property pictures will send.*"Google for Vacation Property (List Property)". With this setting the name, description and pictures from the property will send. '''Step 2: Make sure you have enough pictures '''  Google requires a minimum of 8 pictures.  Go to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) BOOKING ENGINE > PICTURES and double check that you have uploaded and activated at least eight pictures.  Please note that Google sometimes selects the images randomly and displays them in random order instead of the position you selected in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) BOOKING ENGINE > PICTURES  '''This page Step 3: Make sure your information in Beds24 is about the menu complete '''  If required update your property information in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS-) PROPERTIES >CHANNEL MANAGERDESCRIPTION:*Property Name*City*State*Postcode*Address -if you have multiple properties Google expects a different address for each property. *Country*Latitude 'Latitude' and 'Longitude' have to reflect the actual location of your property. Google will not accept data which does not contain all of the above information.  Click on 'View Mapping Data' to check what will send. If what you see there is not complete go back to {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES >GOOGLE HOTEL ADSDESCRIPTION. '''Step 4: Allow Beds24 to send your data'''  Google for Vacation Rentals listings are per property. Only one room per property can connect.  Set 'Synchronise' = Notify for the room you want to connect so Google can verify your content.  '''Step 5: Check your landing page'''  Make sure your landing page is provides meaningful information so guests will be confident to make a booking (see below).  <span class="" style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> It can take Google up to 14 days to verify your property. Once they have verified your property they will show it when it matches the guests search criteria. =For hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and other hotel type properties: Google Hotel Ads=

[[Image<div class="warning">{{#fas:google_hotel_adsexclamation-triangle}} Beds24 has to be the booking engine used on your web site.jpg|450px|link=]][[Media:google_hotel_adsIf you use a different booking engine than Beds24 on your web site Google does not allow you to use Google Hotel Ads via Beds24.jpg|view large]]</div>

[[Image:google_hotel_ads.png|250px|link== Who can use Google Hotel Ads ==]]Googles guidelines are that the property should have all the following[[Media:google_hotel_ads.png|view large]]*Rooms in which paying guests can stay*A physical presence and fixed location that <span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 250%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> An important part of your marketing strategy on Google is open to the public*A staffed front desk open during normal business hours*A minimum stay requirement of no greater than 7 daysmake sure that your property has a well maintained profile on Google, with pictures, descriptions, etc.

==Google Hotels Ads Setup ===== Matching for Free Booking Links and Bidding ===

This process may take Google a few weeks to complete.

Google will use *The icon for '''Step 1: Update your property Business Profile on Google maps. Go to Google maps and click on the icon. Update your information to line up with the information in Beds24.*Your business listing so we recommend you check that this is complete and up to date with the same information you have in Beds24. If you do not yet have a Google business listing please create one. '''

1Make sure your Google "MyBusiness profile" is verified and up to date with your hotel information. Go Google provides instructions on their site to SETTINGS-PROPERTIES-DESCRIPTION help you get started. '''Step 2: Make sure your information in Beds24 is the same as on your Business Profile on Google '''  Click on 'View Mapping Data'. Also open your Google Business listing and check that this information matches exactly the information in your Google business listing. If you do not yet have enteredone set one up. If required update your property information in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES > DESCRIPTION:

This information needs to match exactly the information in your Google business listing. "MyBusiness profile" '''If you have multiple properties Google expects a unique address and phone number for each. You can not use the same address and phone number for more than one property.'''

3. Go to SETTINGS-<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >CHANNEL MANAGER{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} </span>GOOGLE HOTEL ADS If you have multiple properties Google expects a unique address and set 'Notify' = Notify so Google phone number for each. You can match younot use the same address and phone number for more than one property.

=== Bidding ===Once *If you want Google has matched to show that the booking is cancellable check that you we can send your bid. have allowed cancellations in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES > BOOKING RULES and {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES > OFFERS

1'''Step 3: Allow Beds24 to send your data'''  *Set Google Product = Google Hotel Ads. Choose a group of rooms*Set 'Synchronise' = Enable so Google can read your data and match you. This will opt you in for Googles free booking links. '''Step 4: Check your landing page'''

The rooms you are sending to Google should be Make sure your most economic double or twin rooms and have sell priority in SETTINGS-PROPERTIES-ROOMS-SETUP set to highest landing page is provides meaningful information so it is at the top of the booking page. '''Dorms are not allowed.''' Note: The Google Ad does not support multiple room types. They guests will only show one room type be confident to make sure you use your best value room types to competea booking (see below).

<span class="" style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> It can take Google up do 2. Set the maximum commission you are prepared weeks to pay for bookings direct from Google match your hotel ads.

3Once Google has matched you we can send your bid. The Maximum allowed booking value To bid you will show the total value of bookings allowed for need to have enough credit in your Beds24 account at . We recommend maintaining enough credit to cover the selected Bidding levellargest expected commission and setting up auto payments in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) ACCOUNT > BILLING. If this is too low, When you can raise it by adding funds to do not have enough credit in your Beds24 accountall ads may be turned off.

Commission ===Performance Report===Google provides a Performance report for hotels which place bids can be change but every time you change the commission your property will go offline for a few hours.

=== Commission ===Commission is charged on completed bookings originating from the advertisementGoogle will not provide data for properties which only use free booking links.

When you click on "Performance Report" you can check if your links are shown and how they perform. If deposit collection the report is used, empty even though you placed a bidclick on "View Mapping Data" to see why Google did not match you. Fix the commission is only charged issues and then check again after the deposit collection completes10-14 days.

These ===Deposit Collection ===In {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) CHANNEL MANAGER > GOOGLE ADS there you can set options for deposit collection*“Default” uses the “Booking Type” set in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) PROPERTIES > BOOKING RULES*“Instant Deposit Collected” hides payment options (offline payments, credit card number collection) which do not send an instant payment notification to Beds24 on collection of funds.*“Deposit Collection” allows all deposit collection types you have enabled for bookings from Google without affecting your normal booking rule for non Google bookings have the referrer "GoggleHPA".

Google will charge their commission even if the guest cancels a booking or does not show upDeposit collection options can be setup at {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) > PAYMENTS.

We recommend you use deposit collection at the time ===Set bid ===1. Choose a group of booking and appropriate cancellation policies.rooms

To bid you will need to have enough credit in your Beds24 account2. We recommend maintaining enough credit to cover Set the largest expected maximum commission and setting up auto payments in SETTINGS-ACCOUNT BILLINGyou are prepared to pay for bookings direct from Google hotel ads.

When 3. Under "Commission Due" you do not have enough credit in your account all ads may be turned off. Please note that your account might stop working can choose if you do not have any credit in your accountthe commission is due at the time of the booking or when the guest has completed the stay.

Beds24 4. The Maximum allowed booking value will deduct show the commission from total value of bookings allowed for your Beds24 account instantly a booking occursat the selected Bidding level. Payments to Google are made by Beds24If this is too low, you are not required can raise it by adding funds to pay Google directly. If required, currency conversion will be done at market rates at the time of booking to calculate the commission in your Beds24 account currency rather than booking currency.

<span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} </span> Changes to bidding commissions can take some time to propagate through to Google, bookings with commission at the old bid level are possible until the change fully propagates.

=== Commission ===Commission payments to Google are made by Beds24, you are not required to pay Google directly. *Commission is charged on completed bookings originating from the advertisement even if the guests books directly at a later point of time. *'''Commission will be collected from your Account balance for ALL bookings at the time of booking''', even if you have used 'Commission due' = On completed booking. The commission will be refunded if the guest then cancels before arrival. *If deposit collection is used, the commission is only charged after the deposit collection completes.*If required, currency conversion will be done at market rates at the time of booking to calculate the commission in your account currency rather than booking currency.*If you are based in Germany or the EU and have not provided us with a valid EU Vat Id, the commissions will effectively contain VAT at your countries local rate.

===Deposit Collection ==Price sent to Google=In SETTINGS->CHANNEL MANAGER->GOOGLE HOTEL ADS there After Google has matched you we can set options send prices to Google.  The price sent to Google is the lowest price for 2 people from offer one and offer 2 from your direct booking prices. A 2 person price is compulsory. If no 2 person price is supplied the room will send as unavailable. Prices for deposit collection1, 3, 4 , 6 and 8 guests will also be sent if they are defined.  *“Default” uses the “Booking Type” Discounts set in SETTINGS->PROPERTIES->BOOKING RULES*“Instant Deposit Collected” hides payment options (offline payments, credit card number collection) which do the "Discounts" tab of Fixed Prices will not send an instant payment notification to Beds24 on collection of funds.*“Deposit Collection” allows all deposit collection types If you have enabled set a multiplier percentage for the Google bookings , the price will be adjusted by this amount. If you have compulsory taxes or fees, these will be sent in addition to the price to create the effective end price. Guests coming from Google without affecting will be shown this price by Google and expect to pay the same price on your normal booking rule for non Google bookingspage.  '''Multiplier'''

Deposit collection options You can be setup at SETTINGS->PROPERTIES->PAYMENT COLLECTIONset a multiplier to adjust the prices sent to Google if required. The multiplier only works on the room price not on the fees and upsell items.

===Landing page ===

<span style="color: #f3e504; font-size: 150%;" >{{#fas:lightbulb}} </span> The conversion rate depends largely on the quality of your landing page.

You have the option to add '''Important:''' Make sure you activate all languages that you accept bookings URL parameters for, the landing page in SETTINGS->BOOKING PAGE->INTERNATIONALIZATIONthe "URL additions" fields. Guests searching in languages you Only add the additional parameters do not support on enter your full booking page URL, for example if you add &roomid=9999, then only room 9999 will not be able to make a direct booking. ===Price===The price sent to Google is the price for 2 people booking on included in your direct Booking pageURL. A 2 person price is compulsoryFor a list of available parameter please see [https://wiki. If no 2 person price is supplied the room will send as unavailablebeds24. 1, 3, 4 , 6 and 8 guest will also be send if they are definedcom/index.   If you have set a multiplier percentage for the Google bookings, the price will be adjusted by this amountphp/Category:Developers#Booking_Page_Parameters here].

If <span style="color:#fe746c;“ >{{#fas:exclamation-triangle}} </span> Make sure you have compulsory taxes or feesactivate all languages that you accept bookings for, these in {{#fas:cog}} (SETTINGS) BOOKING PAGE >I NTERNATIONALIZATION. Guests searching in languages you do not support on your booking page will not be sent in addition to the price able to create the effective end pricemake a direct booking.

You can set a multiplier to adjust = FAQ ==== What is the prices sent to difference between Google Hotel Ads and Google for Vacation Rentals?=== Google if requiredHotel ads is only available for hotels and hotel type properties only. The multiplier only works on For Hotel Ads, Google requires the room price not on the fees property to have a staffed front desk open during normal business hours, and upsell itemsit needs to have a “Google Profile” listing. Google favours properties without minimum stay restrictions.

Note: An important part of your marketing strategy on Google for Vacation Rentals is to make sure that your property has a well maintained profile on Google, with pictures, descriptionsspecifically for vacation rental properties like apartments and holiday houses, etcand can only be used by such properties.

Google Contact us via a support ticket, with the booking id before check-out date and we will not arrange the refund commissions paid on cancelled bookings or no-shows. We recommend you use deposit collection to protect yourself from the risk.

Guests will not be able to book if you do not have credit in your Beds24 account to pay for the commission. If you have not already done so we recommedn recommend you set up auto payments in SETTINGS -> ACCOUNT -> BILLING. Please make sure you select an amount. If you choose 'None' we can not charge your card. Commissions will be deducted in real time so a booking might trigger the auto top up.

2) Make sure you have enough credit in your Beds24 account to pay commissions. 3) Make sure your booking page supports the language of the Google search. 4) Your bid might be too low so your ad is now shown. This happens when OTAs also bid on your property We recommend you raise your bit by one point every week until you reach a competitive level. 5) Google Ads default to a one night minimum stay and tend to perform best for near term bookings with short stays.