🌿 Why Direct Bookings Matter in 2025 — And How a Co-Host Helps You Get There
- valleinvesting
- 39 minutes ago
- 4 min read
If you own a short-term rental in Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, or anywhere along our North Carolina coastline, you already know the online travel agencies — Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking — can feel like both a blessing and a bottleneck. They offer visibility, yes. But in 2025, they’re also introducing higher fees, stricter rules, unpredictable search rankings, and increasingly competitive listing environments.
Owners everywhere are feeling it:
“I’m getting bookings… but am I getting the right bookings?”
“Why are my platform fees so high?”
“Why am I ranking lower even though my place is beautiful?”
This is where the power of direct bookings comes in — and why having the right co-host partner changes everything.
At Cove + Bloom Hosting, we’re passionate about helping coastal homeowners not only get booked, but build a profitable, resilient, long-term brand that stands on its own. And in 2025, direct bookings are a key part of that strategy.
Let’s break down why.
🌊 1. Direct Bookings Reduce Dependence on Airbnb & Other Platforms
Search algorithms on Airbnb and Vrbo shift constantly — and without warning. One month you’re on page one; the next month you’re buried.
This year, more owners are noticing:
increased competition
lower average placement
fewer organic views
sudden dips in bookings
When your business relies only on platforms, your revenue relies on factors outside your control.
Direct bookings give that control back to you.
You own your traffic, your guest relationships, your revenue, and your visibility — without relying on an algorithm to “like” your listing.
And when you partner with a co-host who knows how to build a strong direct booking strategy, you multiply your independence (and your profit).
💸2. You Keep More Revenue — Guests Save Too
Platform fees in 2025 have climbed significantly.
Average Airbnb fees now include:
Guest service fees: 12–15%
Host service fees: 3–18% (depending on structure)
New host “innovation charges” and tax shifts rolled out this year
Together, these fees quietly erode the revenue you should be earning.
With direct bookings:
🌺 You keep more profit.
No host fee.
No surprise deductions.
No “host performance penalties.”
🌺 Guests save too.
Lower out-the-door pricing means you can offer a better rate while still earning more.
This increases repeat stays — and loyalty.
🌴 3. Direct Bookings Build a Stronger Brand (and Higher Perceived Value)
Airbnb guests don’t remember the name of your property.
They remember:
“Oh yeah — that Airbnb we stayed in…”
Direct bookings allow you to build a brand, not just a listing.
At Cove + Bloom Hosting, we help owners create:
a cohesive brand identity
consistent marketing visuals
a memorable guest experience
better repeat-booking opportunities
higher long-term trust and visibility
Guests who book directly don’t see you as “just another Airbnb.”
They see you as their new favorite coastal home-away-from-home — and they return year after year.
🐚 4. Direct Bookings Support Higher Quality Guests
This is one of the most underrated advantages.
When guests book directly:
they’ve taken time to read your policies
they’ve explored your brand
they often treat the home with more respect
they’re more intentional about their trip
Direct-booking guests are typically:
families
couples
repeat visitors
intentional travelers
people who value what you offer
They’re not “price-shopping” or booking last-minute with minimal reading.
This leads to:
fewer issues
fewer cancellations
fewer headaches
higher reviews
a better owner experience overall
🌾 5. A Smart Direct-Booking Strategy Builds Repeat Guests — Your Most Valuable Revenue Source
Repeat guests cost zero dollars to acquire.
And yet?
They’re more likely to:
book longer stays
return season after season
refer family & friends
leave glowing reviews
respect the home
A co-host who understands marketing (like Cove + Bloom) helps you:
build a repeat-guest database
create automated email sequences
add loyalty perks
strengthen guest relationships
turn first-time visitors into lifelong guests
This is one of the most profitable long-term strategies a homeowner can use — and most owners overlook it entirely.
We don’t.
🌿 How Cove + Bloom Helps You Build a Strong Direct-Booking System
Most homeowners love the idea of direct bookings…
But don’t have the time, tech setup, or marketing strategy to build it.
That’s where we come in.
As your co-host, we handle the full ecosystem:
Building or optimizing your direct-booking website
user-friendly
mobile-optimized
designed for conversions
on-brand with your property’s vibe
Integrating a seamless booking engine
So guests can book securely and instantly.
Creating compelling listing copy & storytelling
To outperform nearby listings and connect emotionally with travelers.
Driving traffic with SEO & content strategy
This blog post is one example — we create optimized pages and guides that bring your ideal guests straight to your site.
Social media + local marketing
We highlight local experiences, events, and partnerships to reach guests beyond Airbnb.
Building automated email nurture sequences
Turning past guests into repeat bookings effortlessly.
Branding your rental
So your home becomes a recognizable, trusted coastal escape — not just another listing.
We help you build a sustainable, profitable booking pipeline that grows year after year.
💬 So… Is Direct Booking Worth It?
If you’re a Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, or Wilmington homeowner, the answer is simple:
Yes — and it’s becoming essential.
Direct bookings:
increase revenue
lower fees
attract better guests
protect your business
build your brand
create long-term stability
And with the right co-host guiding you, the transition is seamless.
At Cove + Bloom Hosting, we specialize in helping coastal homeowners elevate their rentals into beautifully branded, highly profitable, guest-loved spaces that thrive — on and off the platforms.
🌺 Ready to Build a Stronger, More Profitable Direct-Booking Strategy?
If you’re curious how many direct bookings your property could realistically attract — and how much additional revenue that could add — I’d love to walk you through it.
✨ Book a free 30-minute coastal owner consultation:
✨ Or grab my free Coastal Owner Success Guide — just drop your email below.
Either way, I’m here to help you grow, protect, and beautify your investment with systems, strategy, and soul.
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