Newbies: Need Advice on what to ask (pertaining to Booking Websites)

[BTW]

Newbies here, LOVE this forums ...... could not be more OUTSTANDING, this tight community that we're so excited to join.
Wife of 23 years and I, both former military (USAF/USMC) decided to take our combined 5 degrees and 13 professional certifications and remove ourselves from the corporate world NEWBIES
Our B&B, new construction (started May 2016, hopefully done March 2017) is 11 rooms, Key West Style and here on the gulf coast of central Florida.
SO ...... my questions(s)
I'm an IT professional, Systems/Network Administrator so technical stuff easy for me.
My "short list" as of now is:
LittleHotelier
ResNexus
GraceSoft
HoteLogix
ThinkReservations
Rezkey
CloudBeds
RezStream
ReservationKey
BUT, what do I need to ask? What do I need to know?
Some things I'm already charting:
-- Quickbooks Integration? Do I need or want?
-- Facebook Integration? Do I need or want?
-- Mobile App? This is mandatory for us. I need to be able to conduct business with my phone.
-- Price obviously
-- Contract? Bad or month to month?
-- Credit Card integration and processing ..... compatibility and fees ??? What do I ask, or need to know?
-- OTA integration? What do I want, need? What do I need to ask or know?
So who wants to poke a bit of fun at us newbies and perhaps fill some of these puzzle pieces in? What else should I be asking?
CHEERS and thanks so much friends

 

[BTW]

In my short list....are any of them "RUN AWAY" as fast as you can choices? If any of them BAD, please let me know.

 

[TheBeachHouse]

Welcome!

 

[Jcam]

we like Myuktravel and you don't have bed24 on their either.
Myuk I can run every bit of functionality from my phone no problem and its cloud based so can access from any tablet, phone or device anywhere. I get free direct booking through my web site and channel manager which I would not be without - saves you countless hours updating depending on sales and worry about over booking.
I update my end with a price - spreads it out to all channels for me

 

[OnTheShore]

One thing to consider -- how easy is it to get your data out of the old system, and into another new system, when the time comes that you decide to switch to a different reservation software. You might ask who "owns" your data.....
Another thing to consider -- how easy is to communicate with external availability calendars? In other words, can your reservation software generate iCal links, or read the iCal links generated by other calendars. This is somewhat related to your question about OTA integration.
Facebook integration is nice, but in my limited experience the number of reservations generated from our reservation button on facebook has been nil.

 

[JBloggs]

Welcome to the forum.

You may wish to find out what is being used there and with your local CVB, I know where I am they have a group availability for a nearby city and we have a system that is not what they use, so can't be on it. I have been given the ability to post a link to our online system, but if a person puts in a date on their home page it doesn't pull us.
Since we are in a neighboring town we haven't sold out to be on that, as it is more hotel based. BUT people are using hostel based programs now to book rooms.

 

[JimBoone]

Been in lodging a long time, but new to online booking, chose Reservation Key based on suggestions of friends here on the forum.
QuickBooks, I use something more like Quicken as we don't send bills and don't have a payroll, have not seen the need as yet to have the two integrated.
Facebook, I have a page, but not integrated
Mobile App, don't guess it is specifically a mobile app, but have not had a problem using program on smart phone or tablet
Price very reasonable for my 8 rooms
Contract, month to month agreement, free trial if you want to look and "play" with the program. I played a month before going live on my website
Credit Card, I use Authorize.net with the program, so far works well and is reasonable
OTA, so far I don't choose to have them involved in my business

 

[gillumhouse]

Welcome.
RezKey and ReservationKey are one and the same. Very affordable with many bells and whistles. 30-day free trial and month-to-month (30-day notice to cancel). ThinkReservations seems to be getting some interest also.
I use Square - dumped the credit card processor and got an iPhone. Have not looked back. No machine to rent or buy at an outrageous price and nothing to take up space on my desk. Square has no minimum fees - only pay a fee when it is used. The processor I dumped was charging a $15 per month minimum processing fee plus a statement fee plus a connection fee for VS that totaled $21.90 with NO transactions in a month. That was about 5 years ago.
I cannot comment on the OTAs - I do not use them. I do not want my "commission fees" going into a pool of marketing money to be used to out-market me. Nor do I want a third party telling me what info they are going to give or not give for people who will be staying in my home. I also do not want them pressuring me to "waive the cancel fee" on last minute cancellations. It is not as if I can reach up on the shelf and re-sell that night as if it was a toaster. My feelings against Air are the same - I am not going to contribute to REAL B & Bs being put out of business by a playing field (I hate that term but it is appropriate) that is not equal.
Best to you, wishing you success.

 

[dumitru]

Another IT person getting into the B&B business. Please keep us posted on your progress

 

[Arks]

Another IT person getting into the B&B business. Please keep us posted on your progress .

 

[EmptyNest]

of those in your list the only ones I have ever used are ResNExus and ReservationKey. And for me would be the only ones I would consider. The other???
11 Rooms to take on first thing...YIKES that is scary. But your drawings look amazing....going to be one IMPRESSIVE PLACE. Did you have to jump through alot of city hoops to make it happen or were they open to what you wanted to do?
You are going to be hiring a bunch of staff I presume.
Integrate with FB. Guess ResNexus does that but don't have a clue what they do but you have to be on their high end level for it, so more $$$
ResKey can be monthly or yearly. Your size: $30 a month
Basis ResNexus: $120 a month
Both will do real time bookings, integrate with various payment systems etc. mobile friendly so up to you to see what you like best
I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.
Good luck.

 

[JimBoone]

of those in your list the only ones I have ever used are ResNExus and ReservationKey. And for me would be the only ones I would consider. The other???
11 Rooms to take on first thing...YIKES that is scary. But your drawings look amazing....going to be one IMPRESSIVE PLACE. Did you have to jump through alot of city hoops to make it happen or were they open to what you wanted to do?
You are going to be hiring a bunch of staff I presume.
Integrate with FB. Guess ResNexus does that but don't have a clue what they do but you have to be on their high end level for it, so more $$$
ResKey can be monthly or yearly. Your size: $30 a month
Basis ResNexus: $120 a month
Both will do real time bookings, integrate with various payment systems etc. mobile friendly so up to you to see what you like best
I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.
Good luck..

I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.

I swim against the tide here in that all our beds are Queens, my logic for our place (mom & pop motel) was that it let me upgrade a guest to a larger room with 2 beds without downgrading them to a smaller bed, only 2 of our rooms have one bed so it can make it more efficient for me to shift a guest to a larger room.

 

[EmptyNest]

of those in your list the only ones I have ever used are ResNExus and ReservationKey. And for me would be the only ones I would consider. The other???
11 Rooms to take on first thing...YIKES that is scary. But your drawings look amazing....going to be one IMPRESSIVE PLACE. Did you have to jump through alot of city hoops to make it happen or were they open to what you wanted to do?
You are going to be hiring a bunch of staff I presume.
Integrate with FB. Guess ResNexus does that but don't have a clue what they do but you have to be on their high end level for it, so more $$$
ResKey can be monthly or yearly. Your size: $30 a month
Basis ResNexus: $120 a month
Both will do real time bookings, integrate with various payment systems etc. mobile friendly so up to you to see what you like best
I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.
Good luck..

I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.

I swim against the tide here in that all our beds are Queens, my logic for our place (mom & pop motel) was that it let me upgrade a guest to a larger room with 2 beds without downgrading them to a smaller bed, only 2 of our rooms have one bed so it can make it more efficient for me to shift a guest to a larger room.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.

 

[Hillbilly]

of those in your list the only ones I have ever used are ResNExus and ReservationKey. And for me would be the only ones I would consider. The other???
11 Rooms to take on first thing...YIKES that is scary. But your drawings look amazing....going to be one IMPRESSIVE PLACE. Did you have to jump through alot of city hoops to make it happen or were they open to what you wanted to do?
You are going to be hiring a bunch of staff I presume.
Integrate with FB. Guess ResNexus does that but don't have a clue what they do but you have to be on their high end level for it, so more $$$
ResKey can be monthly or yearly. Your size: $30 a month
Basis ResNexus: $120 a month
Both will do real time bookings, integrate with various payment systems etc. mobile friendly so up to you to see what you like best
I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.
Good luck..

I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.

I swim against the tide here in that all our beds are Queens, my logic for our place (mom & pop motel) was that it let me upgrade a guest to a larger room with 2 beds without downgrading them to a smaller bed, only 2 of our rooms have one bed so it can make it more efficient for me to shift a guest to a larger room.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.

not many guests will choose Queen bed properties. If they are choosing between properties the King will win hands down.

 

[Momma Smurf]

of those in your list the only ones I have ever used are ResNExus and ReservationKey. And for me would be the only ones I would consider. The other???
11 Rooms to take on first thing...YIKES that is scary. But your drawings look amazing....going to be one IMPRESSIVE PLACE. Did you have to jump through alot of city hoops to make it happen or were they open to what you wanted to do?
You are going to be hiring a bunch of staff I presume.
Integrate with FB. Guess ResNexus does that but don't have a clue what they do but you have to be on their high end level for it, so more $$$
ResKey can be monthly or yearly. Your size: $30 a month
Basis ResNexus: $120 a month
Both will do real time bookings, integrate with various payment systems etc. mobile friendly so up to you to see what you like best
I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.
Good luck..

I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.

I swim against the tide here in that all our beds are Queens, my logic for our place (mom & pop motel) was that it let me upgrade a guest to a larger room with 2 beds without downgrading them to a smaller bed, only 2 of our rooms have one bed so it can make it more efficient for me to shift a guest to a larger room.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.

not many guests will choose Queen bed properties. If they are choosing between properties the King will win hands down.
.

Another perspective : We are all Queen beds and all is fine and dandy!

 

[gillumhouse]

of those in your list the only ones I have ever used are ResNExus and ReservationKey. And for me would be the only ones I would consider. The other???
11 Rooms to take on first thing...YIKES that is scary. But your drawings look amazing....going to be one IMPRESSIVE PLACE. Did you have to jump through alot of city hoops to make it happen or were they open to what you wanted to do?
You are going to be hiring a bunch of staff I presume.
Integrate with FB. Guess ResNexus does that but don't have a clue what they do but you have to be on their high end level for it, so more $$$
ResKey can be monthly or yearly. Your size: $30 a month
Basis ResNexus: $120 a month
Both will do real time bookings, integrate with various payment systems etc. mobile friendly so up to you to see what you like best
I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.
Good luck..

I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.

I swim against the tide here in that all our beds are Queens, my logic for our place (mom & pop motel) was that it let me upgrade a guest to a larger room with 2 beds without downgrading them to a smaller bed, only 2 of our rooms have one bed so it can make it more efficient for me to shift a guest to a larger room.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.

not many guests will choose Queen bed properties. If they are choosing between properties the King will win hands down.
.

We are now 2 Queens and a King. The king gets the most reservations - only private & ensuite. Next most booked is the budget room (by $10). Only a few want the private bath rate ($15 less than ensuite - 3rd room not rented) with bathroom down the hall. Tonight - full house for 3 nights. Woohoo.

 

[Lee2014]

of those in your list the only ones I have ever used are ResNExus and ReservationKey. And for me would be the only ones I would consider. The other???
11 Rooms to take on first thing...YIKES that is scary. But your drawings look amazing....going to be one IMPRESSIVE PLACE. Did you have to jump through alot of city hoops to make it happen or were they open to what you wanted to do?
You are going to be hiring a bunch of staff I presume.
Integrate with FB. Guess ResNexus does that but don't have a clue what they do but you have to be on their high end level for it, so more $$$
ResKey can be monthly or yearly. Your size: $30 a month
Basis ResNexus: $120 a month
Both will do real time bookings, integrate with various payment systems etc. mobile friendly so up to you to see what you like best
I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.
Good luck..

I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.

I swim against the tide here in that all our beds are Queens, my logic for our place (mom & pop motel) was that it let me upgrade a guest to a larger room with 2 beds without downgrading them to a smaller bed, only 2 of our rooms have one bed so it can make it more efficient for me to shift a guest to a larger room.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.

not many guests will choose Queen bed properties. If they are choosing between properties the King will win hands down.
.

Another perspective : We are all Queen beds and all is fine and dandy!
.

Glad to hear that! We have two kings, a bunch of queens, one full that hanging in there for its dear life, and a sprinkling of twins.

 

[JimBoone]

of those in your list the only ones I have ever used are ResNExus and ReservationKey. And for me would be the only ones I would consider. The other???
11 Rooms to take on first thing...YIKES that is scary. But your drawings look amazing....going to be one IMPRESSIVE PLACE. Did you have to jump through alot of city hoops to make it happen or were they open to what you wanted to do?
You are going to be hiring a bunch of staff I presume.
Integrate with FB. Guess ResNexus does that but don't have a clue what they do but you have to be on their high end level for it, so more $$$
ResKey can be monthly or yearly. Your size: $30 a month
Basis ResNexus: $120 a month
Both will do real time bookings, integrate with various payment systems etc. mobile friendly so up to you to see what you like best
I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.
Good luck..

I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.

I swim against the tide here in that all our beds are Queens, my logic for our place (mom & pop motel) was that it let me upgrade a guest to a larger room with 2 beds without downgrading them to a smaller bed, only 2 of our rooms have one bed so it can make it more efficient for me to shift a guest to a larger room.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.

not many guests will choose Queen bed properties. If they are choosing between properties the King will win hands down.
.

Another perspective : We are all Queen beds and all is fine and dandy!
.

Thanks, good to know that I'm not the only one. Me individually I don't like a King as I tend to feel like I'm sleeping alone after being snuggled in a standard double bed together for over 50 years.

 

[Arks]

of those in your list the only ones I have ever used are ResNExus and ReservationKey. And for me would be the only ones I would consider. The other???
11 Rooms to take on first thing...YIKES that is scary. But your drawings look amazing....going to be one IMPRESSIVE PLACE. Did you have to jump through alot of city hoops to make it happen or were they open to what you wanted to do?
You are going to be hiring a bunch of staff I presume.
Integrate with FB. Guess ResNexus does that but don't have a clue what they do but you have to be on their high end level for it, so more $$$
ResKey can be monthly or yearly. Your size: $30 a month
Basis ResNexus: $120 a month
Both will do real time bookings, integrate with various payment systems etc. mobile friendly so up to you to see what you like best
I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.
Good luck..

I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.

I swim against the tide here in that all our beds are Queens, my logic for our place (mom & pop motel) was that it let me upgrade a guest to a larger room with 2 beds without downgrading them to a smaller bed, only 2 of our rooms have one bed so it can make it more efficient for me to shift a guest to a larger room.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.

not many guests will choose Queen bed properties. If they are choosing between properties the King will win hands down.
.

Another perspective : We are all Queen beds and all is fine and dandy!
.

Thanks, good to know that I'm not the only one. Me individually I don't like a King as I tend to feel like I'm sleeping alone after being snuggled in a standard double bed together for over 50 years.
.

Me individually I don't like a King...

Everybody gets to do things their own way. I've had good luck by NOT doing things the way I personally would like them, but by doing things the way most guests would like them. It's not me in those rooms.

 

[Arks]

of those in your list the only ones I have ever used are ResNExus and ReservationKey. And for me would be the only ones I would consider. The other???
11 Rooms to take on first thing...YIKES that is scary. But your drawings look amazing....going to be one IMPRESSIVE PLACE. Did you have to jump through alot of city hoops to make it happen or were they open to what you wanted to do?
You are going to be hiring a bunch of staff I presume.
Integrate with FB. Guess ResNexus does that but don't have a clue what they do but you have to be on their high end level for it, so more $$$
ResKey can be monthly or yearly. Your size: $30 a month
Basis ResNexus: $120 a month
Both will do real time bookings, integrate with various payment systems etc. mobile friendly so up to you to see what you like best
I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.
Good luck..

I see you will have Queen beds in most. You may want to reconsider and put in a few kings if at all possible.

I swim against the tide here in that all our beds are Queens, my logic for our place (mom & pop motel) was that it let me upgrade a guest to a larger room with 2 beds without downgrading them to a smaller bed, only 2 of our rooms have one bed so it can make it more efficient for me to shift a guest to a larger room.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.
.

Me personally will always pick a room with a King bed. And I will not pick a place that doesn't offer one.

not many guests will choose Queen bed properties. If they are choosing between properties the King will win hands down.
.

We are now 2 Queens and a King. The king gets the most reservations - only private & ensuite. Next most booked is the budget room (by $10). Only a few want the private bath rate ($15 less than ensuite - 3rd room not rented) with bathroom down the hall. Tonight - full house for 3 nights. Woohoo.
.

Tonight - full house for 3 nights. Woohoo.

Great! Enjoy them.