How to list with booking.com ?

1. Create a Booking.com Partner Account To get started, you'll need to register as a property partner. Steps: Go to the Booking.com partner registration page Enter your email address and create a secure password Choose your property type (hotel, apartment, holiday home, etc.) Confirm your email address Once registered, you'll gain access to the Extranet, Booking.com's management dashboard. 2. Add Your Property Details This step forms the foundation of your listing and strongly affects your visibility. Key details to enter: Property name (consistent with your website and Google listing) Full address and map location Property type and size Check-in / check-out times Languages spoken at the property Tip: Accuracy is critical-incorrect details often lead to guest complaints or penalties. 3. Set Up Rooms, Rates & Occupancy Each room or unit must be created separately. For each room type, you'll define: Room name (e.g. Queen Room, Family Apartment) Maximum occupancy (adults & children) Bed configuration Room size (sqm) Base price per night You can also: Set different prices for weekdays vs weekends Add extra charges (extra person, cot, cleaning fee) 4. Upload High-Quality Photos Photos are one of the biggest conversion factors on Booking.com. Best practices: Upload at least 20-25 high-resolution images Include rooms, bathrooms, exterior, reception, parking, and nearby attractions Use natural light and wide angles Avoid watermarks, logos, or text overlays Properties with professional photos often see 20-40% higher conversion rates. 5. Configure Policies & House Rules Clear policies reduce disputes and cancellations. You'll need to set: Cancellation policy (flexible, non-refundable, custom) Payment policy (guest pays online or at property) Damage deposit (if applicable) Smoking, pets, and noise rules Child & extra bed policies Tip: Flexible cancellation policies usually rank higher in search results. 6. Add Facilities & Amenities Booking.com allows guests to filter by facilities-this directly affects visibility. Common facilities to enable: Free Wi-Fi Free parking Air conditioning Swimming pool Restaurant or breakfast Family-friendly features The more accurate your amenities, the more qualified your bookings will be. 7. Set Up Payments & Commission Booking.com typically charges 15-18% commission per confirmed booking (varies by region and programme). Payment options include: Guest pays at property Online payments handled by Booking.com (Payments by Booking) Virtual credit cards Make sure your bank details and tax information are entered correctly to avoid payout delays. 8. Go Live & Pass Verification Once all mandatory sections are complete: Booking.com reviews your listing You may receive a test booking or verification call Your property then becomes live and bookable ⏱️ Most properties go live within 24-72 hours. 9. Optimise Your Listing for More Bookings After going live, optimisation is key. Recommended actions: Keep availability updated (avoid closed calendars) Use competitive pricing and rate plans Enable mobile-only rates Join programmes like Genius (if suitable) Respond quickly to guest messages Encourage reviews after each stay