Winning Direct Bookings: Visibility, trust & retention in short-term rentals

SCALE co-founder and Book Direct Show founder, Damian Sheridan is joined by Becky Ward – Simply Owners, Miles Hobson – Hospitable, and Craig Webb – Web Marketing for a practical session on how operators can grow direct bookings in 2025, without going ‘anti-OTA’.

From AI-shaped search to trust signals and conversion flow, this is a webinar to bookmark and keep coming back for strategy pickings.

This episode highlights: How AI and LLMs are changing search and what to update first on your siteSmart visibility: SEO that wins niches, plus when GVR – Google Vacation Rentals helps

Trust signals that convert: real reviews, filled calendars, About Us pages, domain tips and payment options

Checkout credibility: smooth UX, known payment methods, guest verification & chargeback defence

Diversification that works: social, partners, and “stand on the shoulders” referral sites

Retention one-offs: brand building, repeat-guest tactics, and sensible pricing parityGDPR sanity check: when you can re-contact past guests and how to do it right

Join the conversation at SCALE UK 2025 this November in Manchester. https://uk.scalerentals.show/event/scale-uk-2025/