Online booking software can potentially help customers make online reservations themselves without having to connect with customer support staff. This article includes a list of the four best online booking systems in Australia, having a minimum of 4/5 star user ratings.
In this article
There might be many ways a business can benefit from an online reservation system. Such software can cater to many different industries and help businesses use the automated booking process to increase the number of reservations. Moreover, companies can also simultaneously align their online booking software with business calendars to effectively manage daily operations.
What are online booking systems?
Online booking systems or reservation management software are tools that help customers make online bookings without the help of a customer service agent. Such tools are generally used in the hospitality industry, such as for flight or hotel bookings.
In addition, these tools also potentially offer different helpful features such as group bookings, a repository of guest reviews, booking notes, automatic email reminders, reporting and analytics, and other such features.
In this article, we have curated a list of the best four online booking systems having headquarters in Australia. The tools have been selected based on considerate factors such as software having user ratings above 4/5 stars and more than 20 user reviews over the past two years. The full methodology for selecting the tools can be found at the end of this article. In addition, the tools listed below are arranged in alphabetical order.
1.
Little Hotelier is online booking software that helps users make direct reservations from one centralised platform. With the help of this tool, businesses can take bookings from their website or Facebook page. This software offers users the ability to connect to 450 plus booking channels. Some of the helpful features of this tool include group reservations, calendar syncing, customer relationship management (CRM) and automated guest communication.
This information was sourced from verified user reviews of Little Hotelier
In addition, this tool offers users the feature of contactless payment processing. This software also helps users process deposits and refunds instantly. Moreover, it allows users to compare competitor rates using one platform and see which booking rate suits their needs. Little Hotelier’s direct booking engine lets business owners take bookings in multiple languages and currencies to suit the needs of their customers. The tool also helps users run promotions and create discount codes for their customers for better revenue generation. This software does not have a free version, and additional details on the paid plans can be found on the official website of Little Hotelier.
2.
NewBook reservation software helps users make online bookings for hotels, holiday parks, hostels, short-term rentals and more. This tool lets users manage all booking-related tasks from one central platform. NewBook also allows customers to personalise their stay by purchasing add-ons, activities and other additional amenities. Moreover, the software lets users offer their guests the flexibility to pay for their stay in weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments. With this tool, guests can update their details, add activities, start a payment plan, book other professional services, and make group bookings.
This information was sourced from verified user reviews of Newbook
Other helpful features of this tool include website integration, customer relationship management and syncing business calendars. In addition, the tool also lets users choose their preferred site or room using a booking map, similar to selecting a seat on an aeroplane. With the help of this tool’s central cloud-based system, users can connect to all the platforms they use daily such as Google hotel ads, Google analytics, Mailchimp, and more. NewBook offers a free version to users. Additional details on the paid plans can be found on the tool’s official website.
3.
SiteMinder is an online booking platform that helps users connect to over 450 booking channels, including Expedia, Booking.com, Airbnb and Agoda. With the help of this tool, users can manage distribution, reservations and payments from one platform. In addition, the tool helps business owners potentially save hours of manual work and instantly update their booking rates and availability. The tool also offers advanced insights and a report feature, which helps users know where their bookings are coming from and what’s working best for them.
This information was sourced from verified user reviews of SiteMinder
Some of the helpful features of this tool include website integration, group reservations, business calendar syncing and customer relationship management. SiteMinder’s expert group also manage, monitor and optimise the user’s campaigns daily, potentially maximising their chance to be listed at the top of metasearch listing pages. Moreover, the tool lets users connect to an exclusive global network of 6 lakh plus travel agencies and corporate travel programs. Business owners can also join their property with the preferred hotel program of leading companies to drive a regular stream of corporate guests. This tool does not offer a free version; other details on the paid plans can be found on its website.
4.
Skedda is an online reservation platform that helps users manage bookings and schedule their spaces, be it rooms, desks, studios, labs and more. The tool also provides users with maps/floor plans that potentially help guests visualise the spaces with interactive maps. Moreover, the software helps business owners apply privacy control on how customers can book their spaces. The users can decide who can book, booking quotas, specific rules and restrictions or any other unique customisation.
This tool allows users to log in with existing Google, Facebook and Microsoft accounts. In addition, the tool lets users collect booking money from guests using the ‘buy now, pay later’ option. Other helpful features of this software include group bookings, customer relationship management, website integration, calendar syncing and parking zone management. This tool also provides users with detailed booking reports for effective space management. Skedda has a free version available for users. Other details on the paid plans can be found on this tool’s official website.
Methodology
To be a part of this list, all software had to meet the market definition of online booking systems, and other criteria as mentioned below:
- All four tools justify the market definition of online booking systems: Reservation and online booking software allow customers to book their services online, with access to real-time booking information and multiple secure online payment processing options. The software facilitates enhanced ease of booking as per the user’s choice and reduces waiting times through instant response systems for greater productivity, both for the customer and the business.
- All four online booking systems have headquarters in Australia.
- The software have the following core features: bill and payment processing and online booking.
- Have over 20 user reviews in the past two years (1 Oct 2020 to 1 Oct 2022)
- They have average overall ratings of above 4/5 stars.
- We selected the four best tools with the highest average overall ratings from our resultant list compared to other products.
- These tools also have the highest ratings regarding the following four features —customer support, ease of use, value for money, and functionality.
