Lesson 2 of 6
Choose a booking system & website
You'll know which booking platform fits your business and what your website needs to convert traffic into direct bookings.
Beginner track
There are dozens of booking systems. You don't need the most powerful — you need one that matches the size of your business and is easy to keep updated.
Pick a booking system that fits your size
Match the platform to where you are today, not where you hope to be in 3 years:
- 1–10 tours per week → FareHarbor, Peek Pro, or Bókun (free with Viator)
- Museums & attractions → TicketingHub, Galaxy, or DigiTickets
- Multi-day tours → Rezdy or Checkfront
- Just starting out → a simple Stripe Payment Link works while you grow
What your website actually needs
You don't need a custom site. You need a site that loads fast on mobile, has one product per page, and lets people book without creating an account.
- One dedicated page per tour or ticket (not a long homepage)
- Real photos and a 1-line value proposition above the fold
- Price, duration, and 'Book now' button visible without scrolling
- Embedded booking widget from your booking system
- Mobile-first design — 70%+ of travelers book on phone
Watch out for these red flags
Avoid platforms that:
- Charge per booking AND a monthly fee (unless you're large)
- Don't let you export your customer data
- Don't integrate with Google's Reserve / Things to Do APIs
- Take more than 3 clicks to complete a booking
Key takeaways
- Pick a booking system that matches your current volume — you can always migrate later.
- Your website's only job is to convert intent into bookings. Speed and clarity win.
- Make sure whatever you choose can connect to Google (Reserve / GTTD).
Previous lesson
1. Claim & optimize your Google Business Profile
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3. SEO basics for tours & attractions
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