Your own website, portals only, a cheap website or a site builder?
An honest comparison based on the questions property owners ask. Portals have their place. Your own website adds commission-free direct bookings on top of them.
1 · Own website vs. portals only
A portal brings new guests. Your own website keeps them.
The combination works best: portals for new guests, your own website for those who look for you directly or come back. The calendars are synced, so nothing gets double-booked.
Do I pay commission on every booking?
Portals only: Yes, with Booking.com typically 15% or more.
Own website with SFERIN: No. You pay no commission to anyone on a direct booking.
Who owns the guests’ contact details?
Portals only: Communication goes through the portal.
Own website with SFERIN: Contacts from direct bookings are yours.
Who decides how my property is presented?
Portals only: The portal’s template and rules.
Own website with SFERIN: You do: your own texts, gallery, price list, location, FAQ.
Will guests who don’t know me yet find me?
Portals only: Yes, that is a portal’s main strength.
Own website with SFERIN: Through Google too, but keep your portals. The calendar syncs with them.
Is there a risk of double bookings?
Portals only: Yes, with several portals that aren’t connected.
Own website with SFERIN: No, the calendar syncs both ways via iCal.
2 · SFERIN vs. a cheap one-off website
A cheap website is a file. SFERIN is a running service that brings you guests.
A one-off website looks cheaper until something breaks, or until you want bookings, analytics or another language.
Do I pay commission on every booking?
Cheap one-off website: Yes, if guests only book through portals.
SFERIN: No. Direct bookings on your website are commission-free.
How many people visited my website and how many booked?
Cheap one-off website: It can’t tell, there are no analytics.
SFERIN: Google Analytics and Search Console, you see the numbers yourself.
Will Google find me for “chalet with wellness Liptov”?
Cheap one-off website: A single page with no blog or subpages.
SFERIN: A multi-page website, blog, structured data, sitemap.
Can guests from abroad find me?
Cheap one-off website: Slovak only.
SFERIN: Another language with its own addresses and booking in that language.
Who looks after the website when something breaks?
Cheap one-off website: One person, with no commitment.
SFERIN: Support that replies within 1 working day, backups, updates.
Will I get new features?
Cheap one-off website: No.
SFERIN: Every new feature is added for everyone at no extra charge.
What about guests’ personal data?
Cheap one-off website: It depends on third-party services abroad.
SFERIN: Encrypted on our own server in the EU, two-factor sign-in.
3 · SFERIN vs. a site builder
A site builder gives you tools. We give you a finished website and look after it.
With a site builder you assemble, fill and maintain the website yourself. With SFERIN we do it: bookings and calendars are part of the system, and guest registration is available as an add-on.
Who builds the website and fills it with content?
Site builder: You do, following a template.
SFERIN: We do, with your photos, texts and price list.
Bookings and portal sync?
Site builder: Depends on the add-ons you choose and set up.
SFERIN: Part of the core: calendar, price by date, two-way iCal.
Guest registration and tourist tax figures for the municipality?
Site builder: Usually not part of a site builder.
SFERIN: A website add-on: QR code, guest register, CSV for the municipality.
What if the law adds something new?
Site builder: You keep track and deal with it yourself.
SFERIN: It is added to the system for all clients.
How do I pay?
Site builder: According to the site builder plan you choose.
SFERIN: A website with a booking system from €249, no commission on bookings.
See what your property’s website could look like
First you get a free preview of your website, with your property’s photos and descriptions. No obligation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay any commission on a direct booking?
No. You pay no commission on bookings made on your website, not to anyone and not to us. A website with a booking system costs from €249, and that includes syncing with booking portals and looking after the website.
How much does a website with SFERIN cost?
From €249. We will give you the exact price for your property along with the website preview, which we prepare for you free of charge first. No percentage of your bookings.
Do I have to leave Booking.com or other portals?
No. You can keep your portals. The calendar on your website syncs with them both ways via iCal: days booked on the portals show up on your website, and a confirmed booking from your website is blocked on the portals. It runs automatically, with a delay that depends on each portal.
Is it only for chalets?
No. SFERIN works for any kind of accommodation: a chalet, cottage, log cabin, apartment or guesthouse, including several units on one website.
How long does it take to launch the website?
The website is usually live within a few days, depending on how quickly you send us the materials: photos, price list, descriptions and access to your domain and portals.
I already have a website. What happens to it?
We move the content over and switch the domain without any downtime, redirecting the old addresses. We can also transfer your booking history, reviews and guest records from the old system.
Who looks after the website after launch?
We do. Security updates, daily backups, new features at no extra charge, and support that replies within one working day.